Quick answer: Clean the door seal by soaking a cloth in white vinegar and wiping inside the gasket folds, run an empty hot wash with a cup of white vinegar in the drum, then a second hot wash with bicarbonate of soda. Remove and rinse the detergent drawer and drain filter separately. In hard water areas, repeat this monthly rather than less often.
It seems backwards that the appliance responsible for cleaning your clothes needs cleaning itself, but detergent residue, fabric softener build-up, and trapped moisture create exactly the conditions mould and bad smells thrive in. A regular clean keeps your machine running efficiently and stops that musty smell transferring onto freshly washed laundry.
Why Washing Machines Need Regular Cleaning
Every wash leaves behind small amounts of detergent, fabric softener, and fibres, particularly around the door seal and detergent drawer. Combined with the warm, damp environment inside the drum, this creates ideal conditions for mould, mildew, and bacteria, which is usually the source of that musty smell people notice in their washing.
What You Will Need
- White vinegar
- Bicarbonate of soda
- A microfibre cloth
- An old toothbrush
- Warm water and washing-up liquid
Step 1: Clean the Detergent Drawer
- Switch off the machine and remove the detergent drawer, which usually slides out with a firm pull or a small release catch.
- Soak it in hot water mixed with washing-up liquid or white vinegar for around thirty minutes.
- Scrub any stubborn residue with an old toothbrush, paying attention to the corners and channels.
- While the drawer soaks, wipe out the drawer housing inside the machine with a cloth and a toothbrush for the tighter spots.
- Let the drawer air dry completely before sliding it back in, since fitting it back damp encourages new mould growth.
Step 2: Clean the Door Seal
The rubber gasket around the door on front-loading machines is the most common source of musty smells, since water and residue collect in its folds.
- Soak a cloth or small towel in white vinegar, or a hydrogen peroxide solution for heavier mould.
- Pull back the gasket gently and place the soaked cloth into the cavities for around an hour to loosen grease and mould.
- Wipe the area thoroughly, using a toothbrush for any stubborn spots.
- Rinse with a clean, damp cloth, then wipe the seal dry to help stop mould returning.
Step 3: Clean the Drain Filter
The drain filter, usually found at the bottom corner of the machine behind a small panel, protects the pump from lint, coins, and general debris, and can become a breeding ground for smells if left unchecked.
- Place a shallow tray or towel underneath, since some water will drain out when you open it.
- Unscrew or release the filter cover and pull the filter out.
- Soak it in hot water to loosen trapped lint and detergent build-up, then rinse thoroughly.
- Clean out the housing itself before refitting the filter, then check it screws back in securely.
Step 4: Deep Clean the Drum
With the drawer, seal, and filter cleaned, it is time to tackle the drum itself.
- Pour a cup of white vinegar directly into the empty drum, or add it to the detergent dispenser for a front-loader.
- Run a full hot cycle, ideally at 60°C or higher, or use your machine’s dedicated self-clean or drum-clean programme if it has one.
- Once finished, run a second hot cycle with half a cup of bicarbonate of soda in the drum to lift any remaining odours and residue.
- Avoid running vinegar and bicarbonate of soda in the same cycle, since combining them reduces their individual cleaning effect. Use them in separate washes instead.
Step 5: Wipe the Exterior
Finish with the parts you see every day. Wipe down the control panel, knobs, and outer casing with a soft cloth dampened in white vinegar, and give the door glass a clean pass to remove smears and residue.
How Hard Water Affects Cleaning Frequency
If you live in a hard water area, which includes much of London, the South East, East Anglia, and the East Midlands, limescale adds an extra layer to the problem. Calcium and magnesium minerals build up on the heating element and internal surfaces with every wash, reducing efficiency and giving bacteria more surfaces to cling to. Around 60 percent of UK homes fall into hard or very hard water areas, according to the Consumer Council for Water. In these areas, monthly cleaning should be treated as the minimum, and a cleaner containing citric acid or a dedicated descaling agent will tackle limescale more effectively than vinegar alone.
How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
- Detergent drawer: wipe after each use, deep clean monthly
- Door seal: check and wipe dry after each wash, deep clean monthly
- Drain filter: clean every one to two months, or sooner if you notice slow draining
- Drum: full hot cycle clean monthly, or every two to three weeks in hard water areas or with pets in the household
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my washing machine smell?
Musty smells almost always come from trapped moisture and residue in the door seal, detergent drawer, or drain filter, where mould and bacteria build up over time if these areas are not cleaned regularly.
How often should I clean my washing machine filter?
Every one to two months for most households, though clean it sooner if you notice the machine draining slowly or hear an unusual noise during the spin cycle.
Can I use vinegar and baking soda together in a washing machine?
They can both be used, but in separate cycles rather than combined, since mixing the two reduces the effectiveness of each. Run vinegar in one hot wash, then bicarbonate of soda in a following wash.
Does hard water affect how often I need to clean my washing machine?
Yes. Hard water areas see faster limescale build-up on internal surfaces, so monthly cleaning should be treated as the minimum rather than the maximum in these regions.
Final Thoughts
A washing machine cleans itself of nothing on its own, and a monthly routine covering the drawer, seal, filter, and drum will keep both the machine and your laundry smelling genuinely fresh rather than just less bad. If you are in a hard water area, lean towards the more frequent end of that schedule and consider a descaling agent alongside your regular vinegar clean.