How To Clean Your Washing Machine And Get Rid Of That Musty Laundry Smell

You know that moment when you pull clean towels out of the washing machine and they smell… not quite clean? It is one of those little household betrayals that feels deeply unfair. The machine literally has one job, and yet somehow it can end up smelling like damp socks left in a gym bag.

The truth is, washing machines need cleaning too. Between detergent residue, fabric softener build-up, lint, body oils, pet hair, hard water minerals, and the mysterious things that fall out of pockets, your washer can become a cosy little home for odours, mildew, and grime.

If you are trying to keep your home a little more handmade, frugal, or modern-homesteading inspired, this is one of those simple cleaning jobs that makes a big difference. Just like making your own laundry detergent to save money, cleaning your washing machine is one of those practical habits that helps your home run better without buying a cupboard full of fancy products.

Why Your Washing Machine Smells

A smelly washing machine is usually caused by moisture and residue. Front-loading machines are especially prone to this because the rubber door seal traps water, lint, hair, and detergent sludge. Lovely, I know.

Top-loading washing machines can smell too, especially if you often wash in cold water or use too much detergent. The leftover soap does not rinse away properly and eventually turns into that greyish, sticky build-up that nobody wants to think about while folding clean sheets.

Common causes include:

• Too much laundry detergent
• Fabric softener build-up
• Leaving wet clothes sitting in the drum
• Keeping the door or lid closed between washes
• Mould inside the rubber gasket
• Dirty detergent drawers
• Washing mostly in cold water
• Hard water residue

If you are already making your own cleaners, you might also like this DIY eco-friendly carpet fresh recipe for keeping the rest of the house smelling fresh without the fake perfume cloud.

Supplies You’ll Need

Before you start, gather everything first. There is nothing worse than getting halfway through a cleaning job and realising the gloves are in the garage, under a pile of things you swore you were going to organise last winter.

You will need:

• Rubber gloves
• Microfiber cloths or old cleaning rags
• An old toothbrush or small scrub brush
• Washing machine cleaner tablet or powder
• Baking soda, optional
• White vinegar, optional and used carefully
• Cotton buds for small crevices
• A bowl of warm soapy water
• Towels for wiping and drying

If your machine is still under warranty, check the manual before using vinegar, bleach, or homemade cleaners. Some manufacturers recommend specific washing machine cleaning tablets, and honestly, this is one of those times where following the appliance manual can save you a headache later.

Important Safety Note Before You Start

Never mix bleach and vinegar. Ever. They create harmful fumes when combined.

If you use bleach for mould on a rubber gasket, rinse and wipe everything thoroughly before using any vinegar-based cleaning method later. Personally, I prefer to start with hot water, washing machine cleaner, and a good scrub before reaching for anything stronger.

How To Clean A Front-Loading Washing Machine

Front loaders are wonderful for saving water and being gentle on clothes, but they do love hiding grime in that rubber seal. If you have ever peeled it back and found a soggy sock, a bobby pin, and a questionable black smear, welcome to the club.

Clean The Rubber Door Seal

Open the washer door and gently pull back the rubber gasket. This is where most of the mould, lint, and trapped moisture collects.

Wipe inside the folds with a warm, damp cloth. If you find black mould or stubborn build-up, use an old toothbrush to gently scrub around the seal. Pay special attention to the bottom section where water pools.

For a mild clean, use warm soapy water. For heavier odour, use a washing machine cleaner approved for your appliance.

Dry the seal well with a clean cloth once you are finished. This drying step matters more than we want it to, but it really does help prevent the smell from coming back.

Remove And Wash The Detergent Drawer

Take out the detergent drawer if your machine allows it. Most front loaders have a small release tab at the back of the drawer.

Soak it in warm soapy water, then scrub away any detergent build-up, softener residue, or black mildew marks. Use a toothbrush for the corners.

Before putting it back, wipe inside the drawer cavity too. This little area can get surprisingly grubby, especially if you use liquid detergent or softener.

If you enjoy practical homemade cleaning ideas, this mildew spray recipe on CraftBits is another handy one to keep in your cleaning recipe folder.

Run A Hot Cleaning Cycle

Most newer machines have a “clean washer” or “tub clean” cycle. Use that if you have it.

Add a washing machine cleaner tablet or powder according to the packet directions. Run the hottest cleaning cycle available.

If your machine does not have a clean cycle, run the longest hot-water cycle with the drum empty.

Once the cycle is done, wipe the drum, door, and seal dry.

How To Clean A Top-Loading Washing Machine

Top loaders are usually easier to clean, but they still collect residue under the lid, around the rim, and inside the agitator area.

Wipe Around The Lid And Rim

Open the lid and wipe around the top rim of the washer. Use a cloth dipped in warm soapy water and scrub around hinges, corners, and the bleach or fabric softener dispensers.

If your machine has a removable fabric softener cup in the agitator, take it out and wash it properly. These can get very gunky, especially if softener is used regularly.

Run A Hot Cleaning Cycle

Add a washing machine cleaner to the drum and run the hottest, longest cycle.

For older machines without a cleaning cycle, fill the drum with hot water, pause the machine if possible, let it soak for a while, then allow the cycle to finish.

After the cycle, wipe inside the drum and under the lid with a clean dry cloth.

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

For most households, a monthly clean is a good routine. If you do several loads a day, have pets, wash sports gear, or live somewhere humid, you may need to clean it more often.

A simple rhythm looks like this:

• Wipe the seal once a week
• Clean the detergent drawer every few weeks
• Run a machine-cleaning cycle once a month
• Leave the door open after every wash
• Deep clean the gasket whenever you see build-up

Think of it like changing the lint filter in the dryer. It is not glamorous, but future-you will be very pleased you bothered.

And while you are in cleaning mode, this roundup of DIY cleaners for the entire house is a lovely one to bookmark for a full homemade cleaning cupboard refresh.

Easy Habits To Stop Washing Machine Smells Coming Back

The deep clean is only half the job. The real magic is in the tiny habits after each wash.

Leave The Door Or Lid Open

After every load, leave the washer door or lid open so the drum can dry. A closed, damp washing machine is basically an invitation for mildew.

If you have small children or pets, use common sense here and only leave it open when it is safe to do so.

Remove Wet Laundry Promptly

We have all forgotten a load in the machine. No judgement. But wet laundry left sitting for hours can make the drum smell musty again.

If you forget a load overnight, rewash it. I know, annoying. But musty towels are not worth pretending everything is fine.

Use Less Detergent

More detergent does not mean cleaner clothes. In fact, too much detergent can leave residue on both your laundry and your machine.

High-efficiency washers especially need very small amounts of detergent. If your clothes feel stiff, look dull, or smell odd after washing, try using less.

Skip Fabric Softener Sometimes

Fabric softener can coat fabrics and leave residue inside your machine. If your washer has been smelling musty, take a break from softener for a while.

Wool dryer balls are a nice reusable alternative once clothes go into the dryer, and they are one of those little laundry swaps that feel very homesteady without requiring you to churn butter in the backyard.

Wipe The Seal After Washing

For front loaders, keep an old cloth near the machine and quickly wipe the rubber seal after your last load of the day.

This takes less than a minute and helps prevent mould from taking hold.

What About Vinegar?

White vinegar is often used in homemade cleaning, and plenty of people use it in laundry routines. However, repeated heavy use of vinegar in washing machines may not be recommended by all manufacturers, especially for rubber seals and hoses.

My practical advice? Use vinegar sparingly, never mix it with bleach, and always check your machine manual first.

For general home cleaning projects, vinegar can still be useful in the right places. For example, if you are building a more natural cleaning routine, this DIY toilet bath bomb cleaner is a fun little project that makes bathroom cleaning feel slightly less grim.

Can You Use Bleach To Clean A Washing Machine?

Bleach can be effective for visible mould, especially on stubborn front-loader seals, but it should be used carefully. Wear gloves, ventilate the room, and never combine it with vinegar or ammonia-based products.

If you are sensitive to bleach or prefer gentler cleaning, start with a washing machine cleaner, hot water, and scrubbing first.

For very heavy mould, repeated odours, or a machine that still smells after cleaning, it may be worth checking the filter, drain hose, or calling an appliance technician.

Don’t Forget The Washing Machine Filter

Many front-loading washing machines have a small drain pump filter near the bottom front panel. This area can trap coins, hair clips, lint, pet hair, and all sorts of pocket treasures.

Check your manual before opening it, because water may drain out. Place towels underneath, go slowly, and clean the filter according to the manufacturer’s directions.

If your washer smells even after cleaning the drum and gasket, the filter may be the culprit.

A Simple Monthly Washing Machine Cleaning Routine

Here is the routine I would actually stick to, because anything too fussy is doomed in a real laundry room.

Once A Week

Wipe the rubber seal, door, lid, and detergent drawer area.

Once A Month

Run a hot machine-cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner.

Every Few Months

Clean the detergent drawer properly, check the filter, wipe behind and around the machine, and inspect hoses.

After Every Load

Remove clothes promptly and leave the door or lid open to dry.

That is it. Nothing dramatic. No 47-step cleaning ritual requiring half a Saturday and emotional support chocolate.

Extra Laundry Room Tips For A Fresher Home

If your laundry room still smells damp, the washing machine may not be the only issue. Check for wet towels left in baskets, blocked dryer vents, poor ventilation, or damp cleaning cloths sitting in a pile.

A small open basket for dirty cleaning rags can help them dry before washing. I also like keeping a little container of old cloths nearby for quick wipe-downs, because if the cloth is right there, I am far more likely to use it.

This is also a good time to tidy your laundry supplies. Group detergents, stain removers, dryer balls, cleaning cloths, and pegs into baskets so the space feels easier to use. Even the tiniest laundry corner feels better when it is not a leaning tower of half-used bottles.

Helpful Supplies Worth Having

These are not must-haves, but they do make the job easier:

• Washing machine cleaning tablets
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Long-handled bottle brush
• Old toothbrushes
• Rubber cleaning gloves
• Small laundry room basket for cloths
• Wool dryer balls
• Self-adhesive hook for hanging a wipe-down cloth near the washer

A good set of microfiber cloths and a sturdy scrub brush are worth keeping in your cleaning kit. They are the sort of boring household buys that pay for themselves because you reach for them constantly.

Keep Your Washer Fresh And Your Laundry Happier

Cleaning the washing machine is one of those jobs that feels unnecessary until you do it. Then suddenly the laundry smells better, the towels feel fresher, and the whole room seems less damp and stale.

It is not a glamorous chore, but it is a satisfying one. A clean washing machine means cleaner clothes, fewer musty smells, and one less mystery odour lurking in the house.

And really, if we are going to spend this much of our lives washing socks, towels, school uniforms, pet blankets, and that one shirt someone “needs tomorrow,” the machine may as well smell decent while doing it.