If your freshly washed clothes smell like a damp basement, or you're noticing weird black flakes on your light-colored fabrics, it's time to talk about your washing machine drum. We expect our washing machines to clean our clothes, but we rarely think about who cleans the washing machine.
Why Your Washing Machine Gets So Dirty
Every time you wash a load, soap scum, fabric softener residue, body oils, and dirt get left behind. Over time, this mixture creates the perfect breeding ground for mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria—especially in front-load machines where the rubber gasket traps moisture. If you don't clean your washing machine drum, this sludge transfers back onto your "clean" clothes.
How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine Drum?
The golden rule for appliance maintenance is: Clean your washing machine drum once a month.
However, if you have a large family, wash heavily soiled clothes frequently, or live in an area with hard water, you might need to increase this to every two weeks. Remembering this schedule is the hardest part. Instead of guessing, you can use the Cykle app to set a recurring reminder. Cykle will ping you exactly when it's time for a maintenance wash, ensuring your machine stays fresh without you having to remember it.
How to Clean a Front-Load Washing Machine
Front loaders are notorious for trapping water and developing a funky smell. Here is the best way to deep clean them:
- Clean the Gasket: Pull back the rubber seal around the door. You will likely find hair, coins, and a layer of black sludge. Spray this area with white vinegar and wipe it down thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn mold, use an old toothbrush.
- Run a Hot Wash with Vinegar: Pour two cups of white vinegar directly into the detergent dispenser. Run the machine on its hottest, longest cycle (often labeled 'Tub Clean' or 'Sanitize'). The vinegar will break down the soap scum and hard water buildup.
- Run a Second Cycle with Baking Soda: Once the vinegar cycle is done, sprinkle half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run another hot cycle. The baking soda will neutralize the vinegar and scrub away any remaining odors.
- Leave the Door Open: Always leave the washing machine door slightly ajar after a cycle to allow the interior to dry completely.
How to Clean a Top-Load Washing Machine
Top loaders are slightly easier to maintain but still require regular cleaning to perform at their best.
- Fill with Hot Water: Set the machine to its hottest, longest cycle and let it fill with water. Pause the machine before it starts agitating.
- Add Vinegar and Let it Soak: Pour four cups of white vinegar into the water. Let it sit for about an hour. This soak is crucial for loosening hard water deposits.
- Scrub the Agitator and Rim: While the vinegar is soaking, dip a toothbrush into the vinegar water and scrub the top rim of the tub, the agitator, and around the lid.
- Resume the Cycle: Let the machine finish the cycle.
- Baking Soda Wash: Just like with the front loader, run a second hot cycle with a cup of baking soda to neutralize odors.
Don't Forget the Filter!
Most front-load washers have a drain pump filter located behind a small door at the bottom front of the machine. This filter catches lint, coins, and keys. If you don't empty it every few months, your machine will stop draining properly and will start to smell terrible. Place a towel down, open the filter, drain the water, and rinse the filter under the tap.
The Easy Way to Remember
You have enough on your plate without having to remember the last time you ran a Tub Clean cycle or checked the drain pump filter. This is exactly why we built Cykle.
With Cykle, you simply add your washing machine to your digital home inventory. The app will automatically remind you when it's time to run a cleaning cycle, when to check the filter, and even track when your warranty is about to expire. It takes the mental load out of appliance maintenance, saving you from expensive repair bills down the line.