You clean everything WITH it. When did you last clean IT?
Detergent residue, moisture, lint and grime collect inside washing machines, especially around front-loader door gaskets and detergent dispensers.
LaLa's 60-second version of this is coming.
Watch it here, or on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Instagram or Pinterest.
The 30-second version
- 1.You clean everything WITH it. When did you last clean IT?
- 2.Read the manual first.
- 3.Run the self-clean or tub-clean cycle.
- 4.Pull back the gasket and wipe.
- 5.Take out the detergent drawer.
- 6.If water is standing in the drum after a cycle, leaking onto the floor, or the machine trips a breaker, stop cleaning and call an appliance tech. Water where water should not be is not a cleaning problem anymore.
Short on time? That's the whole thing. #DidYouCleanThat
Check
- Rubber gasket
- Detergent drawer
- Drum
- Filter, if yours has one
01 — The problem
The machine that washes everything you own never gets washed. Soap film, fabric softener and damp lint build up where you never look, and then your towels come out of a clean cycle smelling like a basement.
02 — Why you should care
- Clothes come out smelling stale no matter how much detergent you use.
- Residue and biofilm keep water from rinsing properly.
- A neglected gasket can stain and eventually tear, and gaskets are not cheap.
- A clogged filter makes the machine work harder than it needs to.
“If your clean clothes are coming out smelling less than clean, before we blame the detergent, let's clean the thing doing the cleaning.”
03 — What you need
- Your machine's manual, or the model number so you can look it up
- A washing-machine cleaner made for your machine type
- Microfiber cloths
- An old toothbrush or a soft gasket brush
- A shallow pan and a towel, if your machine has a drain filter
04 — How to do it
- 01Read the manual first.Every manufacturer has cleaning instructions, and they are not the same. Two minutes here saves you a warranty argument later.
- 02Run the self-clean or tub-clean cycle.Most machines built in the last fifteen years have one. Use an appropriate washing-machine cleaner and follow the dosage on the package.
- 03Pull back the gasket and wipe.Front-loaders only. Fold the rubber lip back gently, wipe the channel with a damp microfiber cloth, then dry it. This is where the smell lives.
- 04Take out the detergent drawer.Most slide out with a tab or a press. Soak it in warm water, brush the corners, dry it and put it back.
- 05Check the drain filter.Usually a small hatch behind a panel at the bottom front. Put a pan and towel down first, because water comes out. Clear the lint, coins and one sock.
- 06Leave the door open.After every load, when it's safe to do so. A machine that dries out does not smell. If small children or pets are around, prop it only when you're in the room.
05 — Don't do this
- Don't make vinegar your routine cleaner. Some manufacturers warn that repeated acid exposure may damage certain rubber components.
- Don't use bleach and other cleaners together, ever.
- Don't overdose detergent. More soap is the most common cause of the smell you're trying to fix.
- Don't scrub a gasket with anything abrasive. You'll cut it.
06 — Know when to stop
If water is standing in the drum after a cycle, leaking onto the floor, or the machine trips a breaker, stop cleaning and call an appliance tech. Water where water should not be is not a cleaning problem anymore.
07 — LaLa's pick
If LaLa says it works, it works. Nothing gets the seal until she's used it.
Washing-machine cleaner tablets
The self-clean cycle needs something to work with.
Soft gasket brush
Gets in the fold without cutting the rubber.
Microfiber cloth set
You will use these on eleven other things this week.
Questions people actually ask
- How often should you clean a washing machine?
- Once a month is a reasonable rhythm for most households. Wipe the gasket weekly if you have a front-loader and do a lot of laundry.
- Why does my washing machine smell even after cleaning?
- Check the drain filter and the detergent drawer. Those two get skipped constantly, and either one will hold enough residue to smell up an otherwise clean machine.
- Can I use vinegar in my washing machine?
- Occasionally, in some machines. Check your manual first, because some manufacturers warn that repeated acid exposure may damage rubber seals and hoses.
While we're at it
08 — Ask LaLa™
Still stuck on this one?
Try something like “My washing machine smells weird.” and tell her what's actually happening.