Your machine is likely coated in soap scum, fabric softener residue, or mildew. This "gunk" builds up over time in dark, damp environments, especially if you frequently use too much detergent or only run quick, cold-water cycles.
A dirty washing machine drum is the top reason a washing machine leaves stains on clothes. Over time, residue from dirty laundry, soap scum, grease, or even small debris can accumulate inside the drum. This gunk sticks to the walls and transfers onto fabrics during wash cycles.
Scum build-up in a washing machine—caused by a combination of fabric softeners, laundry detergent residue, and hard water minerals—can lead to odors and stained clothing. To eliminate it, run an empty, hot water cycle using a specialized descaler or white vinegar to break down the leftover grime.
Keep on top of cleaning
“Set aside a few minutes each week for a quick clean — it's a great way to stay ahead of grime,” Carly suggests. “Wipe the rubber seal, check the detergent drawer for any gunk, and give the drum a once-over with a damp cloth. These little steps help your machine stay fresh between deep cleans.”
The grey gunk in your washing machine is typically a buildup of old laundry detergent, fabric softener, body oils, and mold (soap scum). To get rid of it, manually scrub the removable parts and the rubber door seal, then run a deep-cleaning cycle with hot water and a strong cleaner.
To clean gunk out of a top-loading washing machine, start by removing and soaking detergent, bleach, and fabric softener dispensers in warm, soapy water. Use a toothbrush and a DIY cleaner (1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar, 1 tsp dish soap) to scrub the upper drum edges. Finally, run the largest, hottest cycle with 4 cups of white vinegar.
Vinegar offers a natural and helpful solution for tackling some stains and odors. However, directly adding vinegar to the washing machine may not be the best approach. Instead, vinegar can be useful for pre-treating stains, as long as it's thoroughly rinsed out of clothing before you put them in the washing machine.
That nasty gunk in your washing machine is typically a buildup of excess detergent, fabric softener, lint, and body soils. Over time, this residue mixes with minerals in the water and mold, sticking to the drum, door seals, and hidden parts of the washer.
Yes, you can absolutely use vinegar and baking soda to clean your washing machine. This safe, natural method breaks down detergent buildup, removes musty odors, and helps prevent mold.
Less Tangling: When clothes are allowed to tangle, especially long items like pants or sheets, they often come out of the wash knotted up. The bottles help keep items moving independently, minimizing the chances of tangling.
Black marks on clothes are typically caused by detergent/fabric softener buildup, mold, or failing drum bearings. Tackle these issues from easiest to hardest to get your laundry looking fresh again.
Deep cleaning your washing machine every 30 cycles eliminates built-up detergent, hard water stains, and mold. Start by scrubbing the removable parts and the door gasket. Next, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar, followed by a second hot cycle with 12one-half12 cup of baking soda to deodorize.
Here's how to do that:
Dirty washing machines are the result of buildup of leftover detergent, dirt, mineral deposits from water, grime, and even mold. A dirty machine can cause a number of problems, not the least of which is the transfer of lingering dirt onto clean clothes or infusing your clean laundry with musty, mildew odors.
IS IT SAFE TO POUR VINEGAR IN A WASHING MACHINE? No, you should not pour vinegar in your washing machine drum. The acidity can damage rubber seals, hoses and other components of your washer over time.
The Amish wash clothes using non-electric wringer washers powered by diesel, gasoline, or compressed air. More traditional groups rely on hand-cranked agitators or heavy-duty washboards. They clean the garments with homemade soaps made from lye, lard, and natural oils, enhanced with washing soda and borax.
Don't use it on a regular basis, or in the wrong quantities. Don't use it on cotton, linen, rayon, or nylon. Don't add to your fabric softener dispenser.
How to Tell When Washers Need Maintenance
A quick and easy solution for cleaning your washing machine drum is white wine vinegar. White wine vinegar is excellent for cleaning and removing odours; add a glass to the empty drum and then run a normal cycle.
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.
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.
When a washing machine makes clothes dirty, it is usually caused by soap or fabric softener buildup, trapped dirt in the drum or filter, or an overloaded machine.
'When you add vinegar to your fabric softener compartment, your machine will dilute it with water so that it isn't too harsh or overpowering on your clothes.
Method 1: Long term lasting impacts
Vinegar is a fantastic natural cleaner, but its high acidity can permanently damage porous, waxed, or metal surfaces. Avoid using it on natural stone, cast iron, hardwood floors, electronic screens, and fine kitchen knives.