The 1-Step Trick to Deep Clean a Filthy Washing Machine
You open your washing machine expecting a clean smell, but something sour or musty hits you instead. Even worse, freshly washed towels may come out smelling less fresh than they did when the washer was newer.
The problem may be hiding in places you rarely look. Moisture, detergent residue, lint, hair, and other debris can remain around the door seal, dispenser, filter, and inner parts of the machine, and Samsung notes that trapped moisture and laundry product residue can contribute to mold, mildew, and unpleasant odors.
The good news is that how to deep clean a washing machine does not need to become an all afternoon project. The most important step is surprisingly simple, but a few dirty spots should be checked first if you want the best result.
The 1 Step Trick That Cleans the Parts You Cannot Reach
The easiest way to clean deep inside your washer is to run its dedicated cleaning cycle while the drum is completely empty. Use the washer cleaner or cleaning product approved by the manufacturer instead of adding random household products.
This cycle is the closest thing to a true one step deep clean because it reaches areas you cannot scrub with a toothbrush or cloth.
Whirlpool instructs owners of compatible machines to put an Affresh washing machine cleaner tablet into the empty washer basket and start the Clean Washer cycle.
Samsung uses names such as Self Clean or Pure Cycle on some machines. Its current Canadian maintenance guidance recommends running the machine’s tub cleaning program monthly.
LG also recommends using its Tub Clean function on compatible front load machines. Some LG guidance suggests performing that cleaning once or twice a month, which shows why your own washer manual should decide the exact schedule.
What If Your Washer Has No Cleaning Cycle?
Check the manual before choosing another setting. Whirlpool says that some machines without a specific Clean Washer program can use the cycle with the highest available water level and hottest water temperature when following its approved cleaning procedure.
Do not assume the hottest and longest normal cycle is right for every machine. Washer designs differ, so the instructions printed for your exact model should win over a general cleaning tip.
| Your washer | Best first move |
| Has Clean Washer | Use that cycle |
| Has Self Clean | Follow the Self Clean instructions |
| Has Tub Clean | Follow the Tub Clean instructions |
| Has no named cleaning cycle | Check the manual for the approved alternative |
| Manual requires a washer cleaner | Use the specified type and amount |
Skip the Dishwasher Tablet Trick
The source video recommends putting two dishwasher tablets in the drum and running a very hot wash. It sounds convenient, but this is one part of the method that should not be copied.
Bosch directly addresses this question and says dishwasher tablets or dishwasher detergent should not be used for cleaning a washing machine. Bosch recommends a product designed for washing machines instead.
Dishwasher detergent is made for a different appliance and a different cleaning job. There is little reason to gamble with your washer when proper washer cleaning products and built in cleaning cycles already exist.
That does not mean every washer must use the same branded tablet. It means you should use a cleaner that your washer manufacturer and product instructions say is suitable.
Clean the Drain Pump Filter Before You Run the Cycle
If your front load machine has a user accessible drain pump filter, check it before blaming every bad smell on the drum. This small filter can catch lint, hair, threads, coins, buttons, and other objects that made it through the wash.
Do not open the filter without preparing for water. Samsung instructs owners of applicable front load machines to place a towel on the floor and keep a shallow dish nearby before draining water and removing the filter.
Some machines also have a small emergency drain hose beside the filter. If yours does, follow the manual and drain the remaining water through that hose before unscrewing the filter.
A simple cleaning routine looks like this:
- Turn the machine off and make sure it is safe to access the filter.
- Put old towels around the access panel.
- Place a shallow container underneath.
- Use the emergency drain hose if your model has one.
- Slowly loosen the filter.
- Remove hair, lint, coins, buttons, and other debris.
- Rinse the filter according to your manual.
- Wipe the filter housing if accessible.
- Reinstall the filter firmly.
LG also advises owners of applicable machines to drain residual water before removing and cleaning the pump filter. Its guidance describes removing lint, threads, and other debris before securely reassembling the filter.
Do You Really Need to Clean the Filter Every 10 Washes?
Probably not as a universal rule. The video suggests cleaning it at least once every 10 washes, but that schedule does not apply to every washer.
Samsung’s July 2026 guidance recommends cleaning the filter every one to three months on applicable front load machines. Your manual may call for another schedule, especially if you wash pet bedding, very linty fabrics, or heavily soiled clothing.
Clean the Rubber Seal Where Dirty Water Can Hide
Front load washers have a rubber door seal that creates a watertight barrier during washing. Its folds can also hold moisture, lint, detergent residue, hair, and tiny forgotten objects.
Gently pull the seal back so you can inspect the hidden folds. Samsung recommends checking underneath the seal for foreign objects and wiping the area with a soft brush, kitchen towel, or damp cloth.
Do not pull the rubber aggressively. You want enough movement to see behind the fold without stretching or damaging the seal.
Look for:
- Hair and lint
- Small socks or fabric
- Coins and buttons
- Detergent residue
- Standing moisture
- Dark staining
- Slimy buildup
Clean away loose debris first. Then use the cleaning method permitted by your washer manufacturer.
Should You Spray the Washer Seal With Vinegar?
The video recommends spraying the entire rubber seal with vinegar and leaving it for several minutes. That should not be presented as a universal washer cleaning method.
Maytag warns that vinegar’s acidity can damage rubber seals, hoses, and other washer components over time. Its current guidance recommends using a washing machine cleaner designed for the job instead of pouring vinegar into the washer.
Manufacturer instructions vary, which is why checking your manual matters here. For example, some GE guidance permits vinegar during particular self cleaning procedures, while Maytag advises against it, so there is no single vinegar rule that safely applies to every washer.
If you are unsure, warm water, mild soap where approved, and a soft cloth are safer starting points. Use stronger cleaning products only when the manual for your machine permits them.
Wash the Detergent Drawer Before Buildup Gets Worse
A clean drum will not solve every odor if the detergent drawer is coated with old laundry products. Liquid detergent and fabric softener can leave sticky deposits inside both the removable drawer and the compartment behind it.
Most removable drawers have a release tab or button. Do not force the drawer because the removal method differs between models.
Whirlpool recommends removing the dispenser drawer on compatible front loaders, taking out removable inserts, and washing them under warm running water. A soft brush can be used to loosen heavier buildup.
The empty drawer housing deserves attention too. Whirlpool recommends mild soap and water with a soft cloth, sponge, or small soft brush when cleaning that area.
LG provides similar advice for compatible machines. Its instructions include removing the detergent dispenser and cleaning it with lukewarm water and a toothbrush.
A Fast Drawer Cleaning Routine
Start by removing any thick blobs of detergent or softener. These deposits are easier to deal with before they dry into another hard layer.
Then rinse and brush the removable parts until water can move freely through them. Wipe the housing, dry accessible areas, and reinstall the drawer correctly.
| Dirty area | What you may find | Simple response |
| Detergent drawer | Sticky detergent | Rinse and brush |
| Softener section | Thick softener residue | Remove inserts and wash |
| Drawer housing | Damp residue | Wipe with approved mild cleaner |
| Door gasket | Hair, lint, moisture | Inspect folds and wipe |
| Pump filter | Threads and small objects | Drain, remove, rinse |
| Drum | Hidden residue and odor | Run the approved cleaning cycle |
Run the Empty Cleaning Cycle After the Visible Dirt Is Gone
Once the filter, gasket, and dispenser are reasonably clean, the machine is ready for the main deep cleaning step. Leave the washer completely empty.
Add only the cleaning product specified for your washer and follow its placement instructions. Some cleaners go directly into the basket, while another manufacturer may specify a different location.
Whirlpool’s Affresh instructions place one washer cleaner tablet directly into the empty basket before the Clean Washer cycle starts. The full cycle should then be allowed to finish.
Do not add normal laundry to this cycle. You are cleaning the appliance itself, so clothes can interfere with the process and may be exposed to a product intended for machine cleaning.
What About Bleach?
Some manufacturers allow liquid chlorine bleach in specific cleaning procedures, but this is another area where instructions vary. Whirlpool and GE, for example, provide bleach options for some machines and cleaning cycles.
Never combine bleach with vinegar or other acidic cleaning products. More cleaner does not mean a cleaner washer, and chemical mixtures can create serious hazards.
How Often Should You Deep Clean a Washing Machine?
Waiting until the washer smells terrible makes cleaning harder. A simple maintenance schedule can stop layers of residue from building up in the first place.
Whirlpool recommends a monthly Clean Washer cycle as part of odor prevention. Its other guidance also refers to cleaning roughly every 30 cycles for some washer maintenance tasks.
Samsung’s July 2026 washer care guidance also recommends running Self Clean or Pure Cycle monthly. For applicable front load models, Samsung suggests cleaning the detergent drawer and filter every one to three months.
Your real schedule can still depend on how you use the appliance. A machine handling pet blankets, muddy clothing, frequent loads, or lots of fabric softener may show buildup sooner than a lightly used washer.
| Maintenance job | Useful starting schedule | Check first |
| Tub cleaning cycle | About monthly | Washer manual |
| Gasket check | Regularly and whenever wet or dirty | Visible residue |
| Detergent drawer | Every one to three months on some front loaders | Manufacturer guidance |
| Drain pump filter | Every one to three months on some front loaders | Model instructions |
| Exterior wipe | Whenever dirty | No special cycle needed |
These are starting points rather than universal rules. Your owner’s manual should always be the final source for your particular model.
