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How do you clean a washing machine drum?
Run the machine empty on its hottest cycle with a washing machine cleaner or 2 cups of white vinegar, then wipe the door seal and drum dry. Most machines have a dedicated cleaning cycle — Tub Clean, Self Clean, Drum Clean or Eco Drum Clean — and that is the right one to use. Once a month is the standard interval.
That is the whole procedure. The rest of this page is the detail that makes it actually work, because running a cleaning cycle on a machine with a clogged filter is largely wasted effort.
Do these two things first
A cleaning cycle flushes the drum and outer tub. It does not touch the two places that most commonly hold odour, so clean those first or you will be repeating the cycle next week.
- Wipe the door seal. On a front loader, peel back the rubber gasket and clean inside the fold. Black or grey slime there is mould.
- Empty the drain filter. Usually behind a small panel at the bottom front. See where to find the washing machine filter if you have never opened yours.
The cleaning cycle, step by step
- Empty the drum completely. No laundry, no towels. Anything inside absorbs the cleaner and defeats the point.
- Add your cleaner. A tablet goes straight in the drum, not the detergent drawer.
- Select the cleaning cycle — Tub Clean, Self Clean or similar. No dedicated cycle? Use the hottest normal wash with an extra rinse.
- Run it through. These cycles are long, often 1–4 hours. That is intentional: soak time does the work.
- Wipe the drum and seal dry when it finishes, and leave the door open.
For the cleaner itself, Affresh washing machine cleaner is the standard choice — EPA Safer Choice certified and septic safe. The 12-tablet pack is cheaper per cycle if you run it monthly.
Vinegar, bleach or a cleaning tablet?
- Cleaning tablets. Designed for the job, time-released through the cycle, and safe for seals. The default.
- White vinegar. Roughly 2 cups in the drum. Fine for light odour and mineral scale, but it will not break down established biofilm — and manufacturers disagree on it — Maytag advises against vinegar, while LG and Samsung recommend it, so check your own manual.
- Bleach. Effective against mould, harsh on components. Never combine it with vinegar. check your manual first. Warranties generally exclude damage caused by unsuitable cleaning products, and bleach spills are a commonly cited example — but manufacturers differ on bleach itself, so the manual is the only reliable answer for your machine.
Do not mix any two of these in the same cycle.
Front loader vs top loader
Front loaders need this more often. The horizontal drum retains water, and the door gasket traps residue. The gasket is the priority every single time.
Top loaders drain more completely and have no gasket fold, so they smell less. They do collect residue around the agitator and under the rim, which a cleaning cycle alone will not reach — wipe those by hand.
How often?
Once a month suits most households. Go monthly without fail if you mostly wash cold, use liquid detergent, use fabric softener, or wash heavily soiled items. Every two months is fine for a light-use machine that gets regular hot washes.
Manufacturers usually phrase it as every 30–40 wash cycles, which for an average household lands in the same place.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use detergent in a cleaning cycle? No. Detergent is what you are trying to remove. Use a cleaner made for the purpose, or nothing.
Why does my machine still smell afterwards? Almost always the drain filter or the door seal — neither is reached by the cycle. Clean both, then run it again.
Can I clean the drum while washing clothes? No. The cleaner needs an empty drum, and it is not gentle on fabric.
My machine has no cleaning cycle. Use the hottest available wash, empty, with an extra rinse. That is functionally equivalent on most machines.
