How to Make a DIY Washing Machine Cleaner at Home?
Your washing machine can get dirtier than the clothes it cleans.
A simple diy washing machine cleaner made from stuff in your kitchen can fix that smell for good.
Every wash cycle leaves behind soap residue, trapped moisture, and mineral buildup. Over weeks and months, this collects unnoticed inside the drum, gasket, and detergent tray.
The fix does not need fancy products. White vinegar and baking soda are strong enough to break down grime, kill odor-causing bacteria, and clear out hidden mold.
Grab those two ingredients and get ready for a step-by-step method covering the drum, gasket, drawer, and filter, plus tips to keep smells from coming back.
Why Do Washing Machines Get Dirty and Start Smelling?
Every wash cycle leaves behind soap residue, moisture, and mineral deposits. Over time, these build up inside the drum, gasket, and hidden corners of the machine.
Excess detergent sticks to drum walls, especially when cold cycles fail to dissolve it completely. Hard water adds to this by leaving lime and calcium deposits on surfaces.
Closing the door right after a wash locks in humidity, and trapped moisture inside the drum creates the perfect conditions for mold to grow.
Rubber gasket folds hold onto water and detergent long after washing, and limited airflow keeps everything damp for hours, letting hidden mold spread unnoticed.
Materials Needed for DIY Washing Machine Cleaner
Everything needed for a full cleaning cycle is likely already sitting in your kitchen or bathroom cabinet. No special products or expensive cleaners are required.
- White vinegar (1 to 2 cups): Breaks down soap scum and kills odor-causing bacteria
- Baking soda (½ cup, plus extra for paste): Deodorizes and loosens residue buildup
- Warm water (as needed): Mixes with baking soda to make a scrubbing paste
- Microfiber cloth (1 to 2 cloths): Wipes surfaces clean without scratching
- Sponge (1 sponge): Scrubs the inner drum surface
- Tea tree essential oil (optional): Adds extra antibacterial support to the vinegar cycle
- Dish soap (small amount, optional): Helps clean the rubber gasket more thoroughly
- Old toothbrush (1, optional): Reaches tight areas, seals, and detergent drawer corners
Once you have these on hand, there is nothing stopping you from starting the cleaning process right away. Let’s move on to the step-by-step method.
How to Clean a Washing Machine?
This cleaning method works on both front-load and top-load machines. Follow these steps in order to get the best results and make sure nothing gets missed.
Step 1: Empty the Washing Machine
Before anything else, the machine needs to be completely empty. Starting with clothes inside or a loaded detergent tray can interfere with the cleaning process and reduce how well it works.
- Remove all clothes and items from the drum
- Check that the drum is fully empty before starting
- Pull out the detergent tray if it can be removed
Once the drum and tray are cleared out, you’re set to move on to the actual scrubbing. Next up is the baking soda paste.
Step 2: Baking Soda Drum Scrub
Mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part warm water to form a paste. Apply it inside the drum, then scrub the entire surface with a sponge.
This step breaks down sticky detergent layers and removes built-up grime from the drum walls. It also prepares the surface for the vinegar cycle that comes next.
Step 3: Vinegar Cleaning Cycle
Pour 1 to 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum or detergent tray. Then run the hottest and longest cycle available, or use the tub clean mode if your machine has one.
For extra antibacterial support, add 10 drops of tea tree oil along with the vinegar before starting the cycle. This is optional but can help with persistent odors and mold issues.
Step 4: Rinse Cycle (Final Flush)
Once the vinegar cycle finishes, run one more empty hot water cycle. This final flush clears out any loosened residue and leftover vinegar traces from inside the drum.
This step ensures no cleaning ingredients are left behind before the next laundry load. Skipping it may leave a faint vinegar smell on clothes after washing.
Step 5: Clean the Rubber Gasket
Mix a small amount of white vinegar with dish soap and scrub thoroughly inside all the folds and seals of the rubber gasket. Wipe the area completely dry once done.
The gasket is the primary source of mold and bad odor in front-load machines. It constantly traps detergent residue and moisture, making it one of the most important areas to clean.
Front Load Priority Zone: This step is specifically critical for front load machine owners. If you have a top load machine, you can skip this step entirely.
Step 6: Clean Detergent Drawer
Remove the detergent drawer completely and soak it in a vinegar solution for a few minutes. This loosens any dried detergent, fabric softener residue, or mold that may be sitting inside the tray.
After soaking, scrub every corner and compartment using an old toothbrush. Rinse the tray thoroughly under running water and let it dry completely before placing it back.
Step 7: Clean Drum Edges and Exterior Surfaces
Wipe down both the inner drum edges and the outer surface to make sure no soap residue or grime is left behind after the main cleaning steps are done.
| Drum Edges | Exterior Surfaces |
|---|---|
| Wipe along the hidden drum rim | Use a mild cleaner on all outer panels |
| Clean inner corners with a damp cloth | Wipe buttons and knobs thoroughly |
| Remove soap residue from edges | Use a toothbrush for tight gaps |
With the drum and exterior both wiped down, the machine is almost fully clean. Just the filter is left to handle now.
Step 8: Clean Clogged Filters
A clogged filter is one of the most overlooked reasons why odor keeps coming back even after a full cleaning cycle. Clearing it out noticeably restores the machine’s cleaning performance.
- Locate the filter compartment, usually found at the bottom front of the machine
- Drain any excess water before opening the filter cover
- Remove all lint, debris, and buildup from inside the filter
- Rinse the filter thoroughly and reinstall it securely
With the filter cleared and reinstalled, the deep clean is done. Next, let’s look at what keeps buildup from coming back.
For a visual tutorial of these steps you can watch this video by Clean My Space:
Front Load vs Top Load Cleaning Differences
Both machine types need regular cleaning, but the process is not exactly the same. The design of each machine affects how quickly buildup happens and which areas need the most attention.
| Front Load Machines | Top Load Machines |
|---|---|
| Higher risk of mold growth | Lower moisture trapping overall |
| Rubber gasket needs regular scrubbing | Easier access to the inner drum |
| Door must stay open after every wash | Simpler and quicker cleaning routine |
| Requires more detailed cleaning steps | Less prone to hidden mold buildup |
Knowing these differences helps you focus your effort where it matters most. Now let’s cover the maintenance routine that keeps buildup away.
Maintenance Routine (Prevents Odor Returning)
Cleaning the machine once is not enough if the same habits that caused the buildup continue.
For Daily care, leave the door open after every wash, remove wet clothes from the drum quickly, and wipe the gasket dry after each wash
For Weekly care, do a light vinegar wipe if needed and check for visible detergent buildup
For Monthly care, run a full vinegar-and-baking-soda cycle, scrub the gasket thoroughly, and clean the filter completely. A simple routine of daily, weekly, and monthly tasks keeps the machine fresh over the long term.
Troubleshooting Washing Machine Issues
Sometimes the machine still has issues even after a full cleaning cycle. Most problems come down to one missed step or a habit that needs to change going forward.
- Odor remains after cleaning: Gasket was not fully scrubbed inside the folds, drain filter is still clogged and needs clearing
- Residue still visible inside drum: Scrubbing step was too light or rushed, detergent buildup is heavy and needs a repeat cycle
- Mold keeps coming back: The door is being closed immediately after every wash, but moisture is still getting trapped inside the gasket fold
Most of these issues come down to a quick fix or a small habit change. Once sorted, your machine should stay fresh for good.
Wrapping Up
A washing machine that looks clean on the outside can still be full of mold, soap scum, and buildup on the inside.
Now you know that a diy washing machine cleaner using vinegar and baking soda is all it takes to fix the problem without spending money on store-bought products.
Regular cleaning does more than remove odor.
It also protects internal components and keeps the machine working properly for much longer than one that never gets cleaned.
Tried this method at home or have a tip that worked well for your machine?
Drop your experience or suggestions in the comments below and help others figure out what works best for their specific washer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Vinegar Damage the Rubber Seals or Hoses Inside a Washing Machine?
Vinegar is safe when used in the amounts recommended here. Using more than 2 cups regularly or leaving it to soak for extended periods may gradually wear down rubber components.
Is It Safe to Use a Homemade Washing Machine Cleaner in a Septic Tank System?
Yes. Vinegar and baking soda are both septic-safe. Unlike bleach-based commercial cleaners, they do not kill the beneficial bacteria that septic systems need to break down waste properly.
Can you Use Lemon Juice Instead of Vinegar to Clean a Washing Machine?
Yes. Lemon juice works as a natural alternative to vinegar. Add half a cup to a hot water cycle. It removes mild buildup and odor but may be less effective on heavy mineral deposits.
