How to Clean Your Washing Machine Drum
Washing machines need cleaning themselves — the drum, rubber gasket (front-load), detergent dispenser, and filter accumulate mould, soap scum, mineral deposits, and lint over time. A front-load washer that smells musty is the most common symptom of a neglected machine. Clean monthly or at minimum every 3 months.
Front-Load Washers
Step 1: Clean the Rubber Gasket
- Pull back the rubber door gasket and inspect for black mould growth in the folds
- Apply a cloth dampened with diluted bleach (1 tablespoon bleach per cup of water) and wipe all visible surfaces inside the gasket folds
- Allow 5 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth
- This is the most common source of washing machine odour
Step 2: Clean the Drum
- Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent drawer (or drum)
- Run a hot wash cycle (empty drum) — the vinegar strips mineral deposits and kills bacteria
- After this cycle, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the drum and run another hot cycle
Step 3: Clean the Dispenser
- Remove the detergent dispenser drawer completely
- Soak in hot soapy water for 10 minutes
- Scrub with a small brush and rinse
- Wipe inside the dispenser housing with a damp cloth
Top-Load Washers
- Fill the drum with hot water on the largest cycle setting
- Add 4 cups of white vinegar and allow the machine to agitate briefly, then pause and allow to soak 1 hour
- Allow the cycle to complete and drain
- Run a second cycle with 1 cup of baking soda
Prevention
- Leave the washer door open between uses — trapped moisture creates the conditions for mould growth
- Remove laundry promptly after washing — leaving damp laundry in the drum grows mould quickly
- Use the correct amount of HE detergent — excess detergent creates residue buildup in the drum
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