How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine
The short answer
Washing machine odor is caused by mold, mildew, and accumulated detergent or mineral residue. The source and fix differ by machine type. Front-loaders develop mold in the rubber door seal and soap drawer — these two spots need physical cleaning before running a drum cycle. Top-loaders accumulate biofilm on the drum interior and agitator, and respond well to a hot cleaning cycle with white vinegar or a commercial drum-cleaning product. Leaving the door open between uses is the most important prevention step for both types.
Before you start
Identify your machine type: front-loader (door on the front, horizontal drum) or top-loader (lid on top, door opens upward).
For front-loaders, you will need: white vinegar or chlorine bleach (not both — do not mix them), a cloth or sponge, an old toothbrush or soft brush for the soap drawer and seal folds.
For top-loaders, you will need: white vinegar, a cloth.
Do not mix chlorine bleach and white vinegar at any point — they react to produce chlorine gas, which is harmful. Choose one or the other for the drum-cleaning cycle.
Steps
Front-loader:
Clean the door seal first. Pull back the rubber gasket around the door opening and wipe all folds with a cloth dampened with white vinegar or diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per quart of water). Use a soft brush to reach mold in deep folds. Rinse with a damp cloth.
Remove and clean the soap drawer. Soak it in warm water with a small amount of dish soap, scrub with a brush to remove product buildup, and rinse completely before replacing.
Run an empty hot cycle using either 2 cups of white vinegar added to the drum (not the drawer) or the amount of chlorine bleach indicated for your machine's clean cycle. Do not add laundry detergent to this cycle.
After the cycle, wipe down the drum interior and leave the door open until completely dry.
Top-loader:
Set the machine to the hottest setting and largest load size, then start the cycle.
When the drum is full and agitation begins, open the lid and add 2 cups of white vinegar. Let the machine run for 1 minute, then pause the cycle and let it soak for 30 minutes.
Allow the cycle to complete, then wipe down the drum, agitator, and lid seal with a clean cloth.
Leave the lid open until fully dry.
Ongoing maintenance (both types): Leave the door or lid open between uses to allow moisture to evaporate. Use the recommended detergent amount — excess detergent builds up inside the drum. Run a cleaning cycle monthly if the machine is used daily.
What not to do
- Do not mix chlorine bleach and white vinegar in the same cycle or in sequence — they react to produce toxic fumes.
- Do not close the door or lid immediately after a cycle — trapped moisture is the main reason mold grows in the seal and drum.
- Do not skip cleaning the door seal on front-loaders — running a drum cycle without wiping the seal folds first leaves the source of the odor in place.
- Do not use more than the recommended amount of detergent — excess detergent is the primary cause of drum residue and odor.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
For machines used daily, a monthly cleaning cycle is a reasonable routine. For machines used a few times a week, every 4–6 weeks. The single most effective maintenance habit is leaving the door or lid open between uses — this allows moisture to evaporate and prevents the damp conditions mold needs to grow. Wiping the door seal on front-loaders after every few uses also makes a significant difference.
Can I use bleach and vinegar together to clean my washing machine?
No. Chlorine bleach and white vinegar react to produce chlorine gas, which is irritating and harmful in an enclosed space like a laundry room. Choose one or the other for your cleaning cycle. Bleach is more effective at killing mold in the drum; vinegar is effective at dissolving detergent and mineral residue. Run a rinse cycle between any bleach use and any vinegar use if you plan to use both at different times.
If your clothes still smell after cleaning the machine, use the Stain Rescue Tool to identify whether the issue is the wash cycle, a specific stain, or the fabric type.
Use the Stain Rescue Tool