Your washing machine cleans your clothes, but nothing cleans your washing machine unless you do it. Over time, detergent residue, mineral deposits, and mildew build up inside the drum, hoses, and gasket, and that buildup is what makes your laundry smell musty and your machine work harder than it should.
Most washing machine problems are maintenance problems, not mechanical failures. According to Maytag, routine cleaning prevents the mold, residue, and mineral buildup that degrade performance and shorten machine life.
TL;DR: Run a monthly empty hot cycle with washing-machine cleaner or 2 cups of white vinegar to flush detergent and mineral buildup. Wipe the gasket dry after every load to stop mildew, leave the door cracked open between washes, and clean the dispenser drawer monthly. The whole routine takes under 15 minutes.
- If your clothes come out smelling musty, the drum and gasket have mildew buildup.
- If you see residue or flakes on clothes after washing, detergent and mineral deposits are accumulating inside the machine.
- If the machine smells bad even when empty, biofilm and mold are growing in areas you cannot see.
A monthly cleaning cycle and a few simple habits are all it takes. Most of the maintenance below takes less than 10 minutes.
Here is the complete maintenance schedule for keeping your washing machine running well.
Monthly: Clean the Drum
This is the single most important maintenance task. Residue from detergent, fabric softener, body oils, and minerals in your water accumulates on the drum walls and internal plumbing with every wash cycle.
How to clean it
Run an empty cycle on the hottest water setting with two cups of white vinegar added directly to the drum. The vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and kills mold and bacteria.
For a deeper clean, run a second empty hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda after the vinegar cycle. The baking soda neutralizes odors and scrubs residue that the vinegar loosened.
Alternatively, use a washing machine cleaner
A washing machine cleaner tablet is formulated specifically for this purpose. Drop one tablet into an empty drum and run a hot cycle according to the package directions.
According to Mr. Appliance, commercial cleaners are more effective than vinegar alone at removing heavy buildup in machines that have not been cleaned in months.
Monthly: Clean the Door Gasket (Front-Load Machines)
The rubber gasket around the door of a front-load washer is the number one source of mildew smell. Water, detergent, and debris collect in the folds of the gasket after every cycle.
How to clean it
Pull back the gasket folds and wipe the entire seal with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. Pay special attention to the bottom of the seal where water pools.
If you see black mold spots, spray them with a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping clean.
Prevention
Wipe the gasket dry after the last load of the day. Leave the door slightly open between loads to allow air circulation and prevent moisture from becoming trapped.
This single habit prevents most gasket mold problems.
Monthly: Clean the Detergent Dispenser
Liquid detergent and fabric softener leave a sticky residue in the dispenser drawer that eventually clogs the channels and prevents products from dispensing properly.
How to clean it
Remove the dispenser drawer completely. Most drawers have a release tab or button that lets you pull the entire unit out.
Soak it in hot water for 15 minutes, then scrub the compartments and channels with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and replace.
Every 3 Months: Clean the Filter
Most washing machines have a filter that catches lint, coins, and small objects before they reach the drain pump. A clogged filter reduces drainage, causes slow spinning, and can trigger error codes.
Front-load machines
The filter is usually behind a small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Place a towel and shallow pan beneath the panel before opening, as water will drain out.
Unscrew the filter cap, remove any debris, rinse the filter under running water, and replace it.
Top-load machines
Many top-load machines have a lint filter near the agitator or along the top rim of the drum. Check your owner’s manual for the location.
Some newer top-load models are self-cleaning and do not have a user-accessible filter.
Every 6 Months: Inspect the Hoses
The water supply hoses connecting your machine to the wall valves are under constant pressure. A burst hose is one of the most common causes of home water damage.
What to check
Look for bulging, cracking, or signs of wear on both the hot and cold water hoses. Check the connections at both ends for drips or moisture.
When to replace
Replace rubber hoses every 3 to 5 years, or immediately if you see any bulging or cracking. Stainless steel braided hoses are more durable than rubber and resist bursting better.
Daily Habits That Prevent Problems
Leave the door or lid open
After the last load, leave the door or lid open to let the drum dry completely. Closing it traps moisture inside, which creates the warm, damp environment that mildew needs to grow.
This is the simplest and most effective daily maintenance habit.
Use the right amount of detergent
Excess detergent does not rinse out completely and leaves residue inside the drum, hoses, and on your clothes. Follow the detergent label for the correct amount per load size.
If you have an HE machine, use only HE detergent. Standard detergent creates excess suds that the low-water HE cycle cannot rinse away.
Remove clothes promptly
Wet clothes sitting in a closed machine start developing mildew within 24 to 48 hours. Transfer clothes to the dryer or clothesline as soon as the cycle ends.
Do not overload
Overloading forces the motor and bearings to work harder than they are designed to, which accelerates wear on internal components. Keep loads to about two-thirds of the drum capacity.
When to Call a Professional
The machine vibrates excessively
Some vibration is normal during the spin cycle. Excessive vibration, walking across the floor, or loud banging sounds indicate an unbalanced load, unlevel feet, or worn shock absorbers.
Level the machine first by adjusting the feet. If vibration persists with balanced loads on a level machine, the shock absorbers or suspension springs may need replacement.
Water leaks
Check hose connections and the door gasket first. If the leak is not coming from either of those locations, the internal pump seal or tub seal may be failing.
Water leaks that are not from hoses or gaskets typically require professional repair.
Error codes that persist after cleaning
If your machine displays error codes related to drainage, water level, or motor after you have cleaned the filter and run a maintenance cycle, the issue is mechanical rather than maintenance-related.
Consult your owner’s manual for the specific error code meaning before calling for service.
Monthly: run an empty hot cycle with vinegar. Daily: leave the door open and use the right amount of detergent.
Those two habits prevent most washing machine problems.
For a detailed guide on cleaning front-load machines, see how to clean a front-load washing machine.
For understanding your machine’s settings, see how to use your washing machine.
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