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How Often You Should Clean Your Washing machine
Reviewed by Zac Kieffer
Updated: September 10, 2025
Learn how often to clean your washing machine for optimal performance and freshness. Keep your laundry fresh and your machine efficient!
How Often You Should Clean Your Washing machine
How Often You Should Clean Your Washing Machine
Frequency Depends on Usage: For most households, a thorough cleaning every one to three months is ideal. If you’re a heavy user—think weekly or multiple loads a day—you might lean toward cleaning it monthly to prevent buildup of detergent residue and mildew.
Detergent and Fabric Softener Build-Up: Over time, both detergents and fabric softeners can leave a film inside your machine. This residue isn’t just unsightly; it can trap water and become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, which is why periodic cleaning is crucial.
Environmental Factors: If you have hard water, minerals can accumulate faster, leading to scale and grime. In such cases, cleaning more frequently—around the one-month mark—keeps performance in check and prevents unpleasant odors.
Mold and Mildew Prevention: Washing machines, especially front-loading models, are prone to mildew in the door seals and detergent drawers. Cleaning on a regular schedule disrupts the cycle of moisture and organic growth that molds thrive on.
Efficiency and Longevity: Regular cleaning not only keeps your machine smelling fresh but also ensures it functions optimally. When buildup clogs internal components, it can reduce efficiency and shorten the lifespan of your washing machine.
Customizing for Your Household: If you wash delicate items less frequently or only run full loads, you might stretch cleaning intervals longer than in a bustling household. However, if your machine runs intermittently with partial loads, water stagnates and residue has more time to accumulate—prompting more frequent cleaning.
Consequences of Skipping Washing machine Cleaning
Funky Odors Take Over
When you skip cleaning your washing machine, you’re basically inviting a musty, sour smell to move in. Detergent residue, fabric softener, and lint build up in hidden spots, creating a perfect hangout for odor-causing grime. If your “clean” laundry comes out smelling less than fresh, your machine is probably overdue for a scrub.
Visible Gunk and Grime
Ever noticed black spots or slimy residue around the rubber seal or detergent drawer? That’s not just dirt—it’s a mix of leftover detergent, lint, and moisture. Over time, this buildup can get pretty gross and even transfer onto your clothes, making them look dingy instead of clean.
Performance Takes a Hit
A dirty washing machine has to work harder. Buildup can clog the internal parts, like the filter and drain, which means your washer might not rinse or spin as well. This can leave soap residue on your clothes and even shorten the lifespan of your machine.
Unwanted Guests (Mold and Mildew)
Moisture plus leftover detergent equals a cozy environment for mold and mildew, especially in front-loading machines. These can show up as black spots or a slimy film, and they’re tough to get rid of once they take hold. Plus, they can make your laundry smell even worse.
Clothes Aren’t as Clean as You Think
If your washer is full of buildup, it can’t do its job properly. Dirt and detergent residue can get redeposited onto your clothes, so you might notice stains, spots, or a filmy feel even after a wash cycle.
Potential for Costly Repairs
Ignoring regular cleaning can lead to clogged hoses, blocked filters, and even pump issues. These problems can mean expensive repairs or, in the worst case, a replacement machine. A little maintenance now saves a lot of hassle (and cash) later.
It’s Not Just About Looks
A clean washing machine isn’t just for show. It helps your appliance run efficiently, keeps your laundry smelling fresh, and prevents buildup that can lead to bigger problems down the road.
Sprinkle baking soda inside the washing machine drum. Pour white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a hot wash cycle with no laundry inside. This natural combination helps dissolve buildup, neutralize odors, and leave your washing machine fresh and clean.
Residue Buildup Risk
Using white vinegar and baking soda together can cause residue buildup inside the washing machine, as the mixture may not fully dissolve or rinse away, potentially leading to clogs, unpleasant odors, or reduced cleaning efficiency over time.
Lemon Juice and Hot Water
Mix equal parts lemon juice and hot water. Pour the mixture into the washing machine drum and run a hot wash cycle without any laundry. The natural acidity of lemon juice helps dissolve limescale, remove odors, and leave your washing machine fresh and clean.
Ineffective Mold Removal
Lemon juice and hot water are not strong enough to kill mold spores or remove deep mold buildup in washing machines, leading to ineffective cleaning and potential mold regrowth.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Water
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution inside the washing machine drum and on seals. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe with a clean cloth. This method disinfects and removes odors naturally.
Hidden Component Contamination
Hydrogen peroxide may not reach or clean hidden parts inside the washing machine, allowing mold, bacteria, or residue to remain and cause ongoing contamination or odors despite surface cleaning.
Dissolve 1/2 cup of borax powder in 1 quart of hot water. Pour the solution into the washing machine drum, run a hot wash cycle without laundry, and wipe down the interior afterward. This method helps remove residue, odors, and buildup naturally.
Limited Deep Reach
This method may not effectively clean all internal parts of the washing machine, as borax and hot water might not reach deep or hidden areas where residue and buildup accumulate, leading to incomplete cleaning and persistent odors.
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