How do you deep clean a filthy washing machine?

Author: Margarete Haley  |  Last update: Monday, June 2, 2025

Pour the bleach into the tub of the washing machine and let it sit for an hour before starting the rinse cycle. If you don't want to use bleach you can opt for distilled vinegar instead. Run an entire rinse cycle. Crank your machine up to its hottest water setting and complete a rinse cycle with the bleach or vinegar.

How to deep clean a dirty washing machine?

First, Add 2 cups of white cleaning vinegar. Run it through a complete cycle on the highest level and the hottest water possible. Then run a second load with 1⁄2 cup baking soda, again on the highest water temperature available. Option 3. Bleach. Run a load with hot water and 1 cup of bleach.

What dissolves washing machine gunk?

Chlorine bleach and white vinegar are common cleaning ingredients proven to deal with mold, mildew, and everyday gunk.

How do I get brown gunk out of my washing machine?

Try a natural solution with equal parts baking soda to equal parts vinegar and run it through a cycle to wash out the brown flakes. If that doesn't work put on gloves and manually remove the flakes from your washing tub.

How do I clean my deeply smelly washing machine?

To fix a smelly washing machine, run an empty load and add white vinegar to the machine, along with some baking powder. Once it's ran through, leave the door open so the machine can dry out. In the future, leaving the machine open when not on can help reduce mould and smell build up.

How To Clean Your Front Load Washing Machine

Is bleach or vinegar better to clean a washing machine?

The results will be exactly the same, however white vinegar is most definitely the more environmentally friendly option (and it's more affordable too). Just remember to never mix both bleach and vinegar together or even use them at the same time, as this can cause a dangerous reaction and release chlorine gas.

Why does my washing machine smell even after using cleaner?

Some common causes of washing machine odors are: drainage issues, mold and mildew buildup or even an excess amount of detergent residue. Determining what is causing your washer to smell is the first step in eliminating the odor once and for all.

How do I get rid of sludge in my washing machine?

Step-by-Step Guide to Removing Sludge Build-Up
  1. Step 1: Gather the Necessary Supplies. White vinegar. ...
  2. Step 2: Clean the Washing Machine Drum with Vinegar. ...
  3. Step 3: Scrubbing the Drum with Baking Soda. ...
  4. Step 4: Cleaning the Rubber Seal and Detergent Tray. ...
  5. Step 5: Running a Hot Water Cycle.

How do I clean crud out of my washing machine?

Use a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to naturally clean your washing machine; pour half a cup of baking soda into the drum followed by two cups of vinegar in the detergent dispenser, then run a hot wash cycle. For stubborn grime and odors, consider commercial washing machine cleaners.

Can you put dishwasher tablets in the washing machine?

Dishwasher tablets, such as Finish Ultimate All-in-1, can be utilized in washing machines to dissolve grease, dirt, and mineral buildup that may accrue with regular use.

Does vinegar damage washing machines?

It is not recommended to use vinegar in your washing machine. Because of its acidic nature, vinegar can corrode some parts of your washing machine over time, especially rubber elements.

How do I get the gunk out of my washing machine?

Use four cups of white or distilled vinegar to clean your top loader. There are several ways of adding the vinegar and baking soda to your machine: Add 4 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda to the basket and start a long, hot cycle. If possible, pause the cycle for half an hour after the basket has filled.

What is the best thing to clean a washing machine with?

For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.

What do you run through a washing machine to clean it?

Start with an empty tub. For a front-load washer, put 2 tablespoons of borax or oxygen bleach and 2 tablespoons of washing soda in the tub of the washing machine. For a top-loading machine, put 1/2 cup of each of the powders into the wash tub. Run at the hottest temperature or use the “clean tub” setting on the washer.

How to get rid of scrud in a washing machine?

“To prevent or remove scrud, it's recommended to clean the washing machine's detergent and fabric softener compartments, run empty hot water cycles with vinegar or specialised washing machine cleaners, and periodically wipe down the interior surfaces of the machine.”

How do I deep clean the inside of my washing machine?

Pour the bleach into the tub of the washing machine and let it sit for an hour before starting the rinse cycle. If you don't want to use bleach you can opt for distilled vinegar instead. Run an entire rinse cycle. Crank your machine up to its hottest water setting and complete a rinse cycle with the bleach or vinegar.

How do I clean my washing machine full of dirt?

Start a hot wash cycle and allow the drum to fill completely with water. Once full, add a quart of chlorine bleach to the machine and allow the cycle to complete. Run a second cycle through the machine, adding a quart of distilled white vinegar to the drum after it's filled with hot water.

How do I get brown stuff out of my washing machine?

Wipe the Drum: Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the interior of the drum. If there's visible sludge, consider running a hot water cycle with vinegar to break it down. Clean the Rubber Seals: The rubber seals around the door are notorious for harboring mold and mildew.

What dissolves sludge?

Two of the most popular and affordable industrial degreasers that can dissolve oil sludge and build up are acetone and IPA. Acetone is a great industrial degreaser for a few reasons.

Why is my washing machine full of gunk?

That gunk appearing on my washing is something known as soap scrud, and it can build up on your washing machine drum for a few reasons, including using fabric softener and too much detergent.

How do you clean a dirty smelly washing machine?

To sanitize your washer, run a hot cycle with either bleach or vinegar. Add bleach to the detergent dispenser (about 1/2 cup) or pour vinegar directly into the drum. For extra cleaning power, wipe down the gasket and dispenser drawer after the cycle finishes.

How do I stop my washing machine from smelling like a sewer?

Common causes of a smelly washing machine include a buildup of bacteria, mold or mildew, and even detergent residue. To clean it, run a hot wash cycle with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Then, scrub any residue and run another hot rinse to flush out all the cleaning agents.

Where to put vinegar in a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

What is the best washing machine cleaner for smells?

Our top choice for the best washing machine cleaner is OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner With Odor Blasters for its fresh scent, inexpensive price, and overall cleaning power. If you prefer a powder cleaner with eco-friendly ingredients, we recommend Lemi Shine Washing Machine Cleaner.

Previous article
What are the disadvantages of heat sterilization?
Next article
Is it safe to cover a radiator?