How to Clean a Washing Machine? Drum, Drawer, Filter and Gasket Step by Step
updated 11 July 2026
Quick answer
To clean a washing machine, run an empty cycle at 90°C (194°F) with 50 g of citric acid or two cups of vinegar, then wash the dispenser drawer, the door gasket and the pump filter. Do this routine once a month, and wipe the drawer and gasket every few washes. That takes care of limescale, mold and bad smells.
Step by step
- 1
Run an empty cleaning cycle
Add 50-60 g (3-4 tablespoons) of citric acid to the drum, or pour in 2 cups (about 500 ml) of vinegar. Set the longest program at 90°C with no laundry inside. The high temperature dissolves limescale and grease, which feed bacteria.
- 2
Wash the detergent drawer
Take the drawer out - there is usually a release catch in the fabric softener compartment. Soak it for 15-20 minutes in warm water with vinegar, then scrub the residue and mold off with an old toothbrush. Also wipe the recess it sits in, because sludge collects there too.
- 3
Clean the rubber door gasket
On front loaders, pull back the folds of the rubber around the opening and wipe out the water, hair and black residue. Use a cloth soaked in a baking soda solution, a tablespoon per cup of water. Cover stubborn mold with a damp paper towel for 10-15 minutes, then wipe it off.
- 4
Clean the pump filter
You will find the filter behind a small flap at the bottom front of the housing. Put a shallow dish and a towel underneath, because trapped water will flow out, then unscrew the cap and take out the insert. Remove hair, coins and lint, rinse it under running water and screw it back in tight.
- 5
Wipe the housing and leave the machine open
Wipe the dispenser, the door and the gasket dry. After every wash, leave the door and the drawer ajar so the interior can dry out. Moisture trapped in the drum is the main reason a washing machine starts to smell.
Where the bad smell in a washing machine comes from
Washing at low temperatures of 30-40°C and rinsing with fabric softener leave a layer of grease, detergent and fibers in the drum. Bacteria and mold thrive in this damp sludge and produce the typical musty smell.
Most of the buildup collects in places you do not see day to day: under the door gasket, in the drawer and on the pump filter. That is why hot washes alone are not enough - these three parts need cleaning by hand.
Citric acid, vinegar or baking soda - which to choose
Citric acid and vinegar dissolve limescale, so they are great for descaling the heater and drum. Citric acid is gentler on rubber seals, so pick it for the monthly clean. Use vinegar less often, because frequent contact with acid can dry rubber out over time.
Baking soda does not descale, but it neutralizes odors and helps lift greasy films. The best setup is a duo: citric acid in the drum for limescale, and a baking soda solution for wiping the gasket and drawer. Do not combine vinegar and soda in one container, because they neutralize each other and lose their effect.
How often to clean each part
Run the empty descaling cycle and wipe the gasket once a month, or every three weeks with hard water. It is convenient to wash the drawer while you are at it, roughly every two weeks.
Check the pump filter every 1-3 months, more often if you wash a lot of lint-shedding items or have pets. Consistency beats strong chemicals - it is better to clean often and gently than once a year aggressively.
Frequently asked questions
›How often should I clean my washing machine?
Do the full routine, meaning a descaling cycle plus washing the gasket, once a month. Wash the drawer every two weeks and check the pump filter every 1-3 months. With hard water, shorten these intervals.
›How much citric acid do I need to clean a washing machine?
For one descaling cycle, use 50-60 g of citric acid, roughly 3-4 tablespoons. You can add it straight to the drum or to the detergent compartment and run a 90°C program with no laundry.
›Does vinegar damage a washing machine?
Occasional cleaning with vinegar is safe, but frequent contact between acid and the rubber seals and hoses can dry them out over time. If you clean the machine monthly, citric acid is the better choice for the drum, with vinegar saved for rarer occasions.
›How do I stop my washing machine from smelling?
After every wash, leave the door and the drawer ajar so the interior dries out. Every so often, run a 60°C wash instead of only cold cycles, and go easy on the fabric softener, because it is what most often sticks to the drum.
›How do I remove mold from the washing machine gasket?
Soak a cloth in a baking soda solution, a tablespoon per cup of water, and wipe the folds of the rubber. Cover stubborn black spots for fifteen minutes or so with a damp paper towel soaked in the solution, then wipe them off. Finish by drying the rubber.