How to Clean Washing Machine Drum, Gasket and Filter
Run an empty hot cycle with a washer cleaner tablet or a little liquid chlorine bleach, then wipe the seal and leave the door open to dry. That is the short answer to how to clean washing machine drum buildup, but the smell and gray film usually hide in a few other spots too. Detergent residue, fabric softener, hard water minerals and body oils build up on the drum and its hidden outer tub over time. This guide covers how to clean washing machine drum surfaces properly, plus the gasket, dispenser and filter that most people miss.
Why the Drum Gets Dirty
Every wash leaves behind a thin layer of detergent, softener and the dirt it pulled from your clothes. Cold washes and HE machines that use less water make this worse, since there is less heat and rinse water to carry residue away. Over months the layer turns into a sticky film where mildew and bacteria grow.
The signs are easy to spot: a musty smell, gray flecks on clean clothes, or towels that never smell fresh. Affresh, the cleaning brand from Whirlpool, recommends cleaning a front loader once a month or every 30 cycles, whichever comes first. Following that schedule is the simplest part of how to clean washing machine drum grime before it smells.
How to Clean Washing Machine Drum With a Tub Clean Cycle
Most modern washers from brands such as LG, Samsung and Whirlpool have a Tub Clean or Clean Washer cycle built in. If yours does not, use the hottest, longest setting instead.
- Empty the drum completely, including any socks stuck in the gasket.
- Place one washer cleaner tablet, such as Affresh or OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner, in the bottom of the drum.
- If you have no tablet, add a quarter cup of liquid chlorine bleach to the detergent dispenser instead.
- Start the Tub Clean cycle or the hottest normal cycle with no clothes.
- Run an extra rinse and spin afterward to clear any leftover cleaner.
Lowe’s also recommends that extra rinse and spin, especially after bleach. This monthly cycle is the core of how to clean washing machine drum residue you cannot see.
Vinegar and Baking Soda: When They Help
Many people use white vinegar and baking soda as a natural option for how to clean washing machine drum smells. Affresh says vinegar is safe in a front loader and helps deodorize, but warns it may not remove all the buildup stuck to the drum, pump or drain. A common method is two cups of vinegar in the dispenser and a third of a cup of baking soda in the drum, followed by a hot cycle.
Some appliance technicians warn that frequent vinegar use can wear down rubber seals and hoses over time. Use it occasionally rather than every month, and stick to a proper washer cleaner for routine cleans. Never run vinegar and bleach in the same cycle, since together they release toxic chlorine gas.
Clean the Gasket and Dispenser
The rubber gasket around a front-load door is where most smells start, since water and lint sit in its folds. Pull the seal back and wipe inside it with hot soapy water or a mildew spray, then dry it with a towel. For black mold spots, Ernie’s TV, an Affresh retailer, suggests a solution of three quarters of a cup of bleach in a gallon of water.
Slide out the detergent and softener drawer, soak it in hot soapy water, and scrub the slots with an old toothbrush. Wipe the drawer housing too, since slimy residue often drips inside. Cleaning these parts matters as much as how to clean washing machine drum surfaces, because a dirty seal will make a clean drum smell again.
Don’t Forget the Drain Filter
Every front load washer usually has a small drain pump filter behind a panel at the bottom front. Affresh suggests unplugging the machine, opening the cover, and draining the water into a shallow tray before unscrewing the filter. Expect a lot of water, so lay towels down first.
Rinse off the lint, hair, coins and buttons, then screw the filter back in firmly. A clogged filter slows draining and leaves dirty water sitting in the drum, which undoes all your work. Checking it every few months completes how to clean washing machine drum and drain parts properly.
Habits That Keep It Fresh
Good habits make how to clean washing machine drum a monthly job rather than a weekly one. Leave the door and dispenser drawer open after each wash so everything can dry. Take wet clothes out right away instead of leaving them overnight, since damp laundry in a closed drum breeds mildew fast.
Use the right amount of HE detergent, because too much creates the residue you are trying to remove. Wipe the gasket dry after the last load of the day, and run a hot wash every so often. Our guide on how to wash a weighted blanket covers heavy loads, and more washing help lives in our laundry and stains guides.
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FAQs
How often should I clean my washing machine drum?
Once a month or every 30 washes is the usual answer to how to clean washing machine drum on schedule, as Affresh recommends. Clean it more often if you mainly wash in cold water or notice a smell.
Can I use bleach and vinegar together to clean my washer?
No, mixing bleach and vinegar releases toxic chlorine gas. If you use both, run them in separate cycles with a full rinse in between.
Why does my washer smell even after cleaning?
A smell that returns quickly usually comes from the gasket, the dispenser or a clogged drain filter rather than the drum. Clean all three and leave the door open to dry between loads.
How do I clean a top-load washing machine drum?
Use the same Tub Clean cycle with a tablet or bleach, and wipe the rim and agitator by hand. Some top loaders let you pause the cycle once full so the cleaner can soak for an hour.
Final Thoughts
Run a monthly clean cycle with a tablet or bleach, wipe the gasket and drawer, and check the filter every few months. Now that you know how to clean washing machine drum and its hidden parts, leaving the door open after each wash will keep the smell from coming back.
