How to Clean a Washing Machine (and Stop the Smell)

It sounds strange, but washing machines get dirty. Leftover detergent, fabric softener, fluff and damp create a perfect home for mould and bacteria. Signs your machine needs a clean:

• your "clean" washing smells musty
• black spots or slime in the rubber door seal
• gunk in the detergent drawer
• water draining slowly

Here's how to clean each part.

What you need

• Rubber gloves
• An old toothbrush
• Cloths and washing-up liquid
• Washing machine cleaner (or what your manual recommends)
• Old towels and a shallow tray, for the filter

Step 1: Clean the detergent drawer

1. Pull the drawer out. Most have a button or tab you press to release it fully.
2. Soak it in a sink of hot, soapy water for 10 minutes.
3. Scrub with a toothbrush, especially under the softener lid, then rinse and dry.
4. Before you put it back, use the toothbrush to clean inside the gap where the drawer sits. Mould often hides here.

Step 2: Clean the rubber door seal

Pull back the folds of the seal and look inside. You'll often find hair, coins, fluff and black mould.

• Wipe the seal with warm, soapy water and a cloth.
• For mould, use a mould remover or a diluted bleach solution, following the label. Wear gloves and open a window.
• Never mix bleach with other cleaners, especially vinegar or ammonia. It makes harmful gas.
• Dry the seal with a clean cloth when you've finished.

Step 3: Run a hot maintenance wash

With the drum empty, run the hottest wash (usually 60°C or 90°C) with a washing machine cleaner, following the pack. This clears the build-up you can't see inside the drum and pipes. Some machines have a "drum clean" programme. Use that if yours does.

Step 4: Clean the filter

Most front-loading machines have a small door at the bottom front. Behind it is the pump filter, which catches coins, hair grips and fluff. A blocked filter causes slow draining and smells.

1. Switch off and unplug the machine first. If you've just used it, let the water cool.
2. Put old towels and a shallow tray on the floor. Water will come out.
3. Slowly unscrew the filter (some have a small drain hose to use first).
4. Remove anything caught in it, rinse it under the tap and screw it back in tightly.

Check your manual: filters are in different places on different machines.

Step 5: Wipe the outside and the door glass

Wipe the top, sides and control panel with a damp cloth. Clean the door glass inside and out. Detergent can leave a film on the inside.

How often should you clean a washing machine?

Job	How often
Leave the door and drawer open after washing	Every time
Wipe the door seal	Every week or two
Clean the detergent drawer	Once a month
Hot maintenance wash	Once a month
Clean the filter	Every 3 months

Habits that stop the smell coming back

1. Leave the door and drawer open after a wash so the machine can dry out.
2. Take wet washing out straight away.
3. Don't use too much detergent. Extra detergent doesn't clean better. It leaves residue that mould feeds on.
4. Do a hot wash sometimes. Washing everything at 30°C saves energy, but grease and bacteria can build up.

Which? has more advice on how to clean a smelly washing machine.

Want help with the rest of the house?

While you sort the laundry, we can do the rest. A TidyGo normal clean costs £18 an hour per cleaner, and you can save with a regular cleaning plan.

Planning your cleaning? See how often to clean each part of your home.