Written by MaidEX Cleaning Services Editorial Team · Reviewed by Milad Hoseini, Founder & CEO · Published September 17, 2026 · 4 min read
Quick answer
About once a month, run the empty drum on the hottest/longest (or dedicated “tub clean”) cycle. On a front loader, first wipe inside the rubber door gasket where water, lint and mould collect, then scrub the detergent drawer and leave the door ajar between loads so it dries. You can run the hot cycle with a washing-machine cleaner or white vinegar — but check your appliance manual first: some manufacturers advise against vinegar on rubber seals and hoses, and never mix bleach and vinegar. (Maytag and Whirlpool recommend a dedicated washer cleaner rather than vinegar.)
Why your washer needs cleaning
It sounds odd to clean the thing that does the cleaning, but a washing machine handles dirt, body oils, and detergent residue every single load. Over time that builds up in places you never see.
Here in the Lower Mainland, our damp climate makes it worse. Front loaders in particular trap moisture in the rubber door seal, and that warm, wet pocket is exactly where mould and mildew like to grow.
The usual sign is a musty smell, either from the machine itself or on clothes that came out supposedly clean. A quick monthly routine keeps that from ever starting.
What you will need
Nothing fancy. Grab white vinegar or a store-bought washing machine cleaner, baking soda, an old toothbrush or small scrub brush, and a couple of microfibre cloths.
A safety note before you start: never mix bleach and vinegar, and never use them in the same cycle. Combined, they can release harmful chlorine gas. Pick one cleaning method and stick with it.
Also worth a minute: check your appliance manual. Some manufacturers recommend specific cleaners or warn against vinegar on certain rubber parts, and following their guidance protects your warranty.
Step 1: Clean the door seal or gasket (front loaders)
This is the most important step for a front loader, and the spot most people miss. Peel back the rubber gasket around the door and look inside the folds.
You will often find trapped water, hair, lint, coins, and sometimes dark mould spots. Wipe the whole seal with a damp cloth, then use an old toothbrush to work into the creases.
For stubborn mould, wipe with a cloth dampened in diluted vinegar, or a mild soapy solution, then rinse and dry. Do not soak the rubber or scrub it so hard that you tear it. Top loaders skip this step, since they have no door gasket.
Step 2: Run a hot cleaning cycle
With the drum empty, run the hottest, longest cycle your machine offers. Many newer washers have a dedicated tub clean or self clean setting, which is ideal.
For a vinegar clean, add about two cups of white vinegar to the drum or detergent dispenser and run the hot cycle. Vinegar helps dissolve soap scum and mineral buildup and cuts odour.
If you prefer a commercial washer cleaner, use one tablet or pouch and follow the package directions. Whichever you choose, do not combine it with bleach in the same run.
Step 3: A baking soda boost (optional)
If the machine still smells a little tired, follow the vinegar cycle with a second short hot cycle using about half a cup of baking soda sprinkled into the drum.
Baking soda is gently abrasive and helps neutralize lingering odours. Running it separately from the vinegar keeps things simple and avoids fizzing them away against each other.
Wipe down the inside of the drum with a dry cloth once the cycle finishes to pick up any loosened residue.
Step 4: Scrub the detergent drawer and dispensers
The detergent and fabric softener drawer is a hidden trouble spot. Softener especially leaves a thick, gummy residue that grows mildew.
Most drawers pull all the way out, often with a small release tab. Soak it in warm soapy water, then scrub the corners and the softener cup with your toothbrush.
While the drawer is out, reach into the empty slot and wipe the roof of the cavity, where black gunk likes to cling. Dry everything and slide the drawer back in.
Step 5: Wipe down and leave the door ajar
Finish by wiping the exterior, the control panel, and the door glass with a damp microfibre cloth. Dry the gasket and the drum edge so no water sits there.
Then leave the door and the detergent drawer open a few centimetres between loads. Letting air circulate is the single best habit for preventing that damp, musty smell, especially in our climate.
If you have young kids or pets, just be mindful of an open washer door and close it when the machine is fully dry.
How often should you do this
Run a full cleaning cycle once a month for most households. If you wash daily, use lots of fabric softener, or live somewhere especially humid, aim for every two to three weeks.
Do the quick habits more often: wipe the gasket dry after heavy loads, and leave the door ajar every time. Those small moves prevent most odour problems before they start.
Give the detergent drawer a proper scrub every month or two, or sooner if you spot residue building up.
When to let MaidEX handle it
Cleaning inside your washing machine is homeowner maintenance, and honestly it is easy enough to do yourself with the steps above. It is not part of a standard house cleaning.
On a regular MaidEX visit, our insured, background-checked cleaners wipe down the exterior of your laundry appliances along with the rest of your home, so the surfaces you see and touch stay fresh.
If something we cleaned is not right, every MaidEX clean comes with a satisfaction guarantee and a free re-clean within 24 hours. For the inside of the drum, though, this monthly routine is the way to keep it fresh between washes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use bleach instead of vinegar to clean my washer?
You can, but never in the same cycle as vinegar, since mixing the two can release harmful gas. If you use bleach, run it in a hot cycle on its own, then run a second rinse cycle before washing clothes. Check your manual first, as some machines specify one cleaner over another.
Why does my front loader smell even after cleaning?
Almost always it is the door gasket. Moisture and residue hide in the rubber folds, so peel it back and scrub inside. After that, leave the door ajar between loads so the drum can dry out, which is the biggest fix in our damp climate.
Is vinegar safe for washing machine parts?
For most machines, occasional use of diluted white vinegar is fine and effective. A few manufacturers advise against it on certain rubber or metal parts, so check your manual. If in doubt, a purpose-made washing machine cleaner is a safe alternative.
How do I stop mould from coming back?
Keep things dry. Leave the door and detergent drawer open between loads, wipe the gasket after heavy washes, avoid overusing fabric softener, and run a hot cleaning cycle monthly. Airflow and dryness prevent mould far better than any single deep clean.
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Book a cleanAbout the author
Milad Hoseini
Founder & CEO, MaidEX Cleaning Services
Written by the MaidEX Cleaning Services Editorial Team and reviewed by Milad Hoseini, who founded MaidEX in Vancouver. MaidEX provides insured, background-checked cleaning across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. More about MaidEX →
How this guide was made
This guide draws on MaidEX's hands-on cleaning experience across Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, along with publicly available sources. It was drafted with the help of AI tools, then reviewed and fact-checked by our editorial team and approved by Milad Hoseini, Founder & CEO, before publishing.