How to Clean a Washing Machine: 7 Steps to Remove Odor and Limescale

How to Clean a Washing Machine: 7 Steps to Remove Odor and Limescale

You've just washed your clothes, but they come out smelling musty. Or you spot white streaks on dark fabrics. Most of the time the clothes aren't the problem; the washing machine is. A machine that cleans your laundry every day is also the perfect place for leftover detergent, lint, moisture and hard-water scale to build up.

The good news: 7 simple steps and about 30 minutes will make your machine like new. In this guide you'll learn the steps and which household cleaners and descalers can help.

Signs your washing machine needs cleaning

• A musty or moldy smell comes from the drum or from freshly washed clothes.
• Black or brown spots appear on the rubber door seal.
• Clothes come out with powder, white marks or tiny particles.
• Laundry feels stiff and the wash water looks cloudy.
• The detergent drawer is full of slime or hardened powder.

Why do washing machines start to smell?

• Cold washes only: cold water doesn't fully dissolve detergent residue and body oils.
• Too much detergent: the excess isn't rinsed away and forms a sticky film.
•  A closed door: moisture stays inside and mold thrives.
• Hard water: minerals slowly turn into scale on the heating element and drum.

How to clean a washing machine in 7 steps

Step 1: Remove and wash the detergent drawer

Pull the drawer out, rinse it under hot water and scrub the corners with an old toothbrush. Check the drawer slot inside the machine too; mold often hides there.

Step 2: Wipe the door seal

Gently pull back the rubber seal and look inside the folds. Wipe away spots with a paper towel and a mild cleaning liquid or spray, then wipe again with a damp cloth. Wear disposable gloves while you work.

Step 3: Empty the drain pump filter

The filter is usually at the bottom front behind a small cover. Put a tray underneath, open it, remove coins, lint and sludge, and rinse. This reduces odor and protects the pump.

Step 4: Run a hot, empty wash

Leave the drum empty and choose a 60–90°C program. Use a dedicated washing machine cleaner such as Marc as directed on the label, or try the home options below.

Step 5: Add a descaler

After cleaning, prevent scale from coming back. Products such as Calgon liquid, Calgon tablets or Calgon gel are designed to protect machines from hard water; check the label for the right dose.

Step 6: Wipe the drum and door

After the hot cycle, wipe the drum and glass with a soft damp cloth and dry with a paper towel.

Step 7: Leave the door open

The simplest and most effective habit: keep the door and drawer slightly open after every wash so moisture escapes.

Ready-made cleaner or home remedy?

• Ready-made: saves time; just follow the label.
• White vinegar: pour 1–2 cups into the drum and run a hot cycle. Check your manual first, since some manufacturers don't recommend frequent vinegar use on rubber seals.
• Baking soda: half a cup in the drum helps with odor. Don't use vinegar and baking soda together; they cancel each other out.
• Never mix vinegar with [bleach](https://goshop.am/categories/bleaches). The combination releases toxic gas.

The right detergent keeps the machine cleaner

The amount of detergent matters more than the type. More doesn't mean cleaner; it only leaves more residue. If dosing is a problem, liquid laundry detergents and laundry capsules come pre-dosed, for example Active capsules or Surf capsules. Always put capsules in the drum under the clothes, not in the drawer. For colors, Active color care liquid is a good option. Use powders and fabric conditioners at the recommended dose too.

5 common mistakes that make a machine smell

1. Always washing in cold water.
2. Using more detergent than recommended.
3. Closing the door right after a wash.
4. Leaving wet clothes inside.
5. Ignoring the filter and the door seal.

A simple maintenance schedule

• After every wash: leave the door and drawer open.
• Weekly: dry the door seal with a cloth.
• Monthly: run an empty hot cycle with a cleaner.
• Every 3 months: deep clean the filter and drawer.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my washing machine?

For normal use, an empty hot cycle every one to two months and a full filter and drawer clean every three months is enough.

Do I really need a descaler?

If your water is hard, yes. Scale shortens the life of the heating element and drum, and anti-scale products such as Calgon help.

Can I put bleach in the washing machine?

Only if your manual and the product label allow it, and never together with vinegar or other cleaners.

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