The right way to clean a washing machine is to follow its manual: wipe accessible residue, clean the detergent drawer, and run the machine’s intended cleaning cycle with only an additive the manufacturer permits. A drain-pump filter is not present or accessible on every washer, so clean one only if your manual shows how.
For routine upkeep, remove laundry promptly, dry accessible moisture, and leave the door or lid and dispenser open where safe. A monthly cleaning cycle is common manufacturer guidance, but follow your washer’s schedule and prompts.
Check Your Washer Manual First
Find the model number and manual before choosing a cleaner or opening a panel. Look for the machine’s maintenance program—often called Clean Washer, Self Clean, Pure Cycle, or Tub Clean—and check whether the instructions call for an additive. Guidance varies: some cycles are intended to run without cleaner, while others permit a washer cleaner or specified bleach product.
Check whether your particular washer has an accessible pump or debris filter, where it is, and how to drain it. Many, but not all, front-loaders have one; some manufacturers state that their top-load models do not. Do not assume that every washer has a filter to clean.
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Gather Simple Supplies
For accessible surfaces, use a soft microfiber cloth, warm water, mild detergent if needed, and a soft, non-metallic brush for the dispenser. Keep towels and a shallow pan nearby if the manual’s filter-cleaning procedure calls for them.
If your washer’s manual permits a dedicated cleaner, washing-machine cleaner tablets may be suitable. Check both the washer manual and product label: a dedicated cleaning cycle may require no additive or specify a different one. Avoid abrasive or aggressive cleaners on rubber seals.
Clean the Accessible Surfaces and Dispenser
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Wipe spills from the cabinet and controls with a clean, damp, soft cloth. If needed, use mild detergent, then wipe with clean water and dry.
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Remove the detergent drawer and inserts only as the manual directs. Rinse them in warm water and use a soft brush to loosen detergent or softener residue.
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Wipe the drawer recess with a soft cloth or non-metallic brush. Let removable parts dry, then reinstall them as directed.
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For a front-loader, gently wipe the visible gasket folds and door rim with a damp, soft cloth. Remove loose debris, but do not scrape the rubber or dismantle the door boot.
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Excess detergent can leave residue in the drawer and contribute to odor. Use the amount specified for your washer, detergent, load, and water conditions rather than adding extra soap.
Run the Washer’s Cleaning Cycle
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Empty the washer. Do not run an interior-cleaning cycle with laundry inside.
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Select the maintenance cycle specified in your manual. If there is no dedicated cycle, follow the manual or a compatible washer-cleaner label for an appropriate cleaning program.
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Add nothing, a washer cleaner, or an approved bleach product only as the washer manual and product label direct. Do not combine products or apply another brand’s instructions to your machine.
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When the cycle finishes, wipe accessible moisture from the tub, seal, and drawer. Leave the door or lid and drawer open where safe and appropriate so the washer can dry.
Manufacturers commonly recommend running their cleaning cycle about monthly, but the correct schedule depends on the model and its prompts. If the household mostly washes in cold water, an occasional warm or hot cycle may help limit residue, if the manual permits it.
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- TIME-RELEASE DEEP CLEAN. Affresh tablets are scientifically designed to deliver extended cleaning action throughout the wash cycle, helping power away bacteria, grime and soap scum deep inside the washing machine’s pump, drum and filter to help optimize performance.
- STINKY PET ODOR? Affresh washing machine cleaner helps remove residues that can trap odors from pets, sweat and mildew that can transfer onto clothes and sheets.
- ONE TABLET, ONCE A MONTH. Avoid the twice-monthly cleaning cycles of other appliance cleaners and cut your machine cleaning maintenance time in half.
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Clean an Accessible Pump Filter Only If Your Manual Allows It
A filter opening can release residual water, and hot water can cause burns. If the manual identifies a homeowner-accessible filter, follow its exact procedure. Do not force a stuck filter or reach into an appliance you have not safely prepared.
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Empty the washer and let residual hot water cool. Follow the manual’s power instructions; some procedures require disconnecting the washer from power.
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Place towels and a shallow pan beneath the access area. Drain water through the designated hose or procedure described in the manual.
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Remove the filter as instructed. Clear lint, coins, buttons, and other debris, and wash the filter by hand if the manual directs.
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Reinstall the filter completely and close the panel as directed. Stop and arrange service if it will not come out normally, the impeller is jammed, or the washer continues to have a drainage problem.
Cleaning, Odor, and Safety
Cleaning removes soil and residue; it is not automatically disinfection. The CDC says cleaning alone is sufficient in most home situations. Use bleach or another disinfectant only when both the washer instructions and product label permit it.
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Never mix bleach or any disinfectant with another cleaner or disinfectant. Follow label directions and ventilate when using a permitted product. Keep cleaners and standing water away from children and pets.
A sulfur or sewage odor is not necessarily a sign that the washer needs more cleaner. A drain hose installed incorrectly, including one inserted too far into a standpipe, can allow drained water to siphon back. Check the hose arrangement against the washer manual. A persistent burning smell, electrical damage, a leak, or an unresolved odor after manufacturer-directed cleaning calls for service, not stronger chemicals.
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Prevent Residue and Odor From Returning
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Remove laundry promptly after a cycle.
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Use the detergent amount specified for the load and washer; excess detergent can foul the drawer and contribute to residue.
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Wipe visible moisture from accessible areas and leave the door or lid and drawer open where safe for children and pets.
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Clean the dispenser when residue appears and run the manufacturer’s cleaning cycle on its recommended schedule.
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Clean a pump filter only at the interval in the manual or when the manual’s troubleshooting guidance calls for it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I run a washing-machine cleaning cycle?
Monthly is a common manufacturer recommendation, but check your manual and the washer’s prompts for the schedule that applies to your model.
Should I add cleaner to every washer cleaning cycle?
No. Some models’ cycles are intended to run without cleaner, while other manufacturers permit a washer cleaner or a specified bleach product. Follow your washer manual and the product label.
Does every washer have a drain-pump filter?
No. Filter access and applicability vary by model. Check the manual; some manufacturers say their top-load washers do not have the same accessible filter found on certain front-loaders or combo units.
Can I mix bleach with vinegar or another cleaner?
No. Never mix bleach or any disinfectant with another cleaner or disinfectant. Use a product only if the washer instructions and label permit it.
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A drain-hose arrangement that allows water to siphon back can cause a sulfur or sewage smell. Check the hose setup against the manual; contact service if the odor persists or you find a leak or drainage problem.
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