How to clean a washing machine

Inspired by a popular home maintenance guide. This walk-through is based on the helpful YouTube video "How to Clean a Washing Machine (ELIMINATE Smells, Mould & Build-Up!)", which covers each part of the machine methodically and explains clearly why smells develop in the first place. Worth a watch if your machine has been particularly neglected.

1. Run a hot maintenance wash

Set the machine to its hottest cycle — usually 90°C or a Cotton 60°C at minimum — with no clothes in the drum. Add either a proprietary washing machine cleaner (like Calgon or Dr Beckmann) or a cup of white vinegar to the drum.

This cycle kills bacteria and breaks down soap scum that has built up on the drum walls, heating element, and pipes. It is the single most effective thing you can do, and should be done every one to two months. Most of us do not bother, which is why machines smell.

2. Clean the door seal

The rubber gasket around the door opening is the worst offender. It traps water, fluff, hair, and detergent residue in its folds, and that is where the black mould starts. Pull back each fold of the seal in turn and clean thoroughly with a damp cloth and a solution of white vinegar or diluted bleach.

Use an old toothbrush to get into the deepest folds. Remove all visible black mould spots. For a very bad case of mould, spray neat white vinegar onto the affected area and leave for ten minutes before scrubbing.

3. Clean the detergent drawer

Pull the drawer out completely — there is usually a small tab or release button to allow full removal. Most UK machines have a small blue or white tab on the softener compartment. Pull it while pulling the drawer and it should come straight out.

Soak it in warm soapy water for ten minutes, then scrub all compartments with a brush, paying attention to the residue in the softener section and the underside of the lid. Rinse clean and dry before replacing.

While the drawer is out, clean inside the drawer cavity with a cloth. The nozzles that spray water into the drawer can become partially blocked with limescale, which affects rinsing. A toothbrush and white vinegar clears them.

4. Clean the pump filter

The pump filter catches coins, buttons, fluff, and small items before they can reach the pump. If it is blocked, the machine may smell, drain slowly, or show an error code. It is usually behind a small flap at the bottom front of the machine.

Place a towel on the floor and a shallow tray under the access panel — some water will come out when you unscrew the filter. Turn the cap slowly anti-clockwise, catch the water as it drains, then remove the filter fully. Pull out any debris, rinse the filter under the tap, and screw it back in firmly. Never run the machine with the filter loose or removed.

5. Wipe down the drum

After the hot cycle has finished and the drum has cooled, wipe the inside of the drum with a damp cloth wrung out in white vinegar solution. This picks up any loosened residue and removes any remaining odour.

Pay attention to the drum holes — these can harbour limescale deposits in hard water areas like Kent. A descaling tablet or citric acid wipe works well here.

6. Clean the exterior

Wipe down the door glass inside and out with a glass cleaner or damp cloth. Clean the front panel with a general household cleaner — nothing abrasive on gloss surfaces. Check the hose connections at the back are secure and not leaving water marks on the floor behind the machine.

7. Build a maintenance routine

Leave the door ajar after every wash to let the drum dry out. Leave the detergent drawer slightly open too. Both of these simple habits dramatically slow the build-up of mould and bacteria.

Run a hot maintenance wash every month or two, clean the drum seal every few weeks, and empty the pump filter every three months or whenever the machine starts behaving oddly. That is really all it takes.

When to call a handyman

If the machine is not draining despite a clear filter, leaking from the door seal or a hose, showing a persistent error code, or smelling even after a thorough clean, it may need a repair rather than a clean. Richard can help with appliance checks, hose connections, and general maintenance across Sandwich and East Kent.