Learning how to clean a washing machine is straightforward, keeping your clothes smelling fresh.

Clean high-efficiency top-load andfront-load washersmore oftenusually every month.

Washing machines are easy to clean using acommercial cleaner,bleach, or vinegar.

a person wiping down a washing machine

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Here are a few simple steps for cleaning your washer.

Do not add any detergent to the washer during this process.

Warning

Never use bleach and vinegar together (at the same time).

chlorine bleach, vinegar, and cloths

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Run a Cycle With Bleach

Run a complete hot water cycle with bleach.

Add Vinegar and Run Another Cycle

Run a complete cycle with vinegar.

Baking soda can be added for front-loaders.

adding chlorine bleach to the drum

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

This will help ensure any mold residue (which the bleach would kill) is removed.

The Spruce / Olivia Inman

Is Bleach or Vinegar Better to Clean a Washing Machine?

Bleach is a powerful sanitizer that eliminates mold and germs.

person adding chlorine bleach to a washer dispenser

The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Vinegar can kill germs and fend off mold to a lesser extent, but it is not as powerful.

Vinegar’s most significant benefit is that it neutralizes odors.

It is also more environmentally friendly, less harsh, and a cheaper ingredient.

setting the wash cycle

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

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filling the washer again with hot water

The Spruce / Jorge Gamboa

person wiping down the washer

​The Spruce / Fiona Campbell

Cleaning a washer with hydrogen peroxide

The Spruce / Olivia Inman