How to Clean a Front Load Washing Machine
Front-load washing machines can easily build up mold and mildew inside, especially in the rubber seals. Learn how to sanitize and clean a front load washer the easy way with this step by step tutorial!
One of my most visited cleaning posts is this one on how to clean a top load washing machine. I’m often asked how to clean a front load washing machine but up until our recent move to England we had never had one so I had no chance to try various methods and report back on the best way.
Luckily (or unluckily depending on how you look at it) I was given the chance to clean our machine as soon as we arrived-look at the condition I found it in!
Gross right? It’s SO important to clean your washing machine!! Not only were our clothes being rinsed with dirty, moldy water but my husband and sons are allergic to mold and were wearing clothes being washed in it!
How to Prevent Mold in Front Load Washing Machine
To prevent future mold buildup after cleaning you can take a few steps every time you use it:
- take clothes out of the washer as soon as possible after they are done washing
- leave the machine door and detergent tray open after washing
- get in the habit of checking the gasket after you run a cycle and wiping it out with a spare towel (I often find treasures like legos and coins in mine!)
Supplies
- bleach
- vinegar
- white towels or old t-shirts
- rubber gloves
Step by step
- Clean the washer seal: Put on rubber gloves and soak towels or old white t-shirts in bleach and tuck into the seal if you have stubborn stains like I did. Allow to sit for one hour before proceeding to the next step.
- Wipe the seal of the washer out with the towels (hands in rubber gloves of course) and then throw the towels into the wash basin.
- Clean the basin with bleach: Add 2 cups of bleach to the detergent tray and run on the washer cleaning cycle. If you don’t have a washer cleaning cycle option, run on the longest, hottest cleaning cycle your machine has.
NEVER MIX BLEACH AND VINEGAR. These cleaning agents are used in two separate washing cycles in this tutorial. Mixing bleach and vinegar results in chlorine gas and is very dangerous. Please follow the tutorial as directed.
- Clean the basin with vinegar: After the entire cycle with the bleach is finished, we will run another cycle with vinegar. (Bleach and vinegar are in to SEPARATE steps) Add 2 cups of vinegar to the detergent tray and run again on the cleaning cycle or the hottest cycle available.
- Rinse the basin: Run one last long, hot cycle with just water, no added bleach, vinegar, or detergent.
- Clean the detergent tray: Remove and disassemble the detergent tray if possible and soak in warm soapy water for 10 minutes. Wipe out with a rag or sponge, then rinse and dry before returning to the washer.
- Clean the exterior: Use a damp cloth or your favorite cleaner to wipe down the exterior of the washer.
If you would like to print the instructions for reference later I have made it easy below.
You might also like these cleaning tips:
Thanks for your helpful advice. I’ve always left my door open after a load, but I never thought about leaving the detergent door open also. I’ve had good luck cleaning my front loader. Don’t forget to clean the inside of the detergent drawer while the compartments are removed! It helps prevent the mold from returning so fast.
Exactly what I have been doing since I bought my front loading machine nearly 15 years ago. I dry the detergent drawer, leave it open, and dry the gasket and leave the washer door open. Once a month I use a product called Affresh. It is in tablet form. I use the hottest water, add the tablet to the drum and run the washer for a 45-minute cycle being sure that there are no clothes in the washer. So far I have had no mold or musty odor coming from my machine.
I have an added problem as my washer and dryer are stackable in a small area in my bathroom. The newer washers and dryers are too big to fit in that area. I am very fortunate that there is a local company that will repair washers and dryers for half the cost of a new washer or dryer. I just had my dryer completely rebuilt and I will do the same when my washer no longer works.
Thank you for your excellent cleaning tips!!!
I will be using your cleaning tips for my front load washer. I enjoyed your blog.
Good, I have a very old washer machine front load and cannot find the filter to clean it any way was good tip this one
I Will use your cleaning tips on my front load washer.
I hope it’s helpful Diane! ~Melissa
Thank you for the tips! I’m trying this on my disgusting moldy washer tomorrow!
I hope it was helpful! ~Melissa
Thanks so much for the information and especially the pictures. This gives us a true idea of what we would be up against if purchasing a front loading machine. I want one so much because I am only five foot tall. I think this would be so much easier for me. But that mess would be a deal breaker if you hadn’t shown a good way to get it clean and keep it clean.
I think this next time we will try the front loading machine and use your methods to keep it clean.
An effective, non toxic alternative to chlorine bleach DOES exist: Hydrogen Peroxide. It’s extremely versatile – you can find lists of some of its many uses on Pinterest. I use it for my white laundry and to clean the gaskets on my front loader. No nasty smell!!!
great tip Julie-I’ll give it a try! ~Melissa
Do you mix the peroxide with water or just use it straight on the towels like Melissa suggested with the bleach?
Hello Melissa.
Foremost, I want to thank you for writing this blog. It’s January 19th, 2022. I’m in Southern California. I have enjoyed reading, and re-reading your blog on how to “Clean your front load washer.” I jagged it a try this Wednesday afternoon. Made sure I followed every step cautiously. Although, not very much happy with the bleach smell. Read in the comments above about someone suggesting hydrogen peroxide. Will give it a try next time. The bleach smell is very strong. Forgot to use a mask. I made sure to open my back door and a window to let some air in. Aside from this, I had success. I didn’t know how to get my front load washer seals clean since they are hard to get around. It’s something that I have postponed to do every time I would put an Affirm tablet. With so many blogs to read, I am glad I came across this one. A+
In all, thank you for helping me on this one. Very effective. Will try the dryer cleaning blog too.
God Bless you!
How you use hydrogen peroxide ??
Use 50/50 mix with water. Spray on.
Hi,
Thank you so much for the information and especially the pictures. This gives us a real idea of what we will face when purchasing the front loader. I want one very much because I am only five feet. I think this will be much easier for me. But this mess would be a bargain if you have not shown a good way to get it clean and keep it clean.
I will follow your instructions
will never purchase a front load again. Door gets leaky after time, the gross rubber seal, not being able to stop it mid cycle to pop in that single sock that you forgot, not to mention its a pain to have to bend over and pull the clothes out so low to the floor that they drag along until you get them in the drier. I too am only 5″1′, but I’m still opting for a new top load next spring when my tax money comes in.
What is the best gadget to keep the door of a front loader washer open so as not to create mold? Thank you
I’ve not seen or tried any Leticia but if I come across something good I will update the post. Mine always stayed open by itself. Sorry not to be of more help!
We screwed an eye in the wall and used a bungee cord hooked tho the door to keep it open.
My door can’t stay open because there is a door behind it. I take a clothespin and flip it backwards on the latch of the door. It holds the door open several inches.
Great idea, thanks for sharing!
We use an old detergent cap and put it between the door and the rim. This keeps the door open slightly and not cause too much obstruction to the door in front
Do you use white or red vinegar?
Thanks!
White vinegar! You can find it in large jugs in the cleaning section of the store usually.
I am so happy to find this I been wanting to replace the rubber part that get moldy because is supper moldy to the point I am starting to smell it in my clothes , I will try this before el replace it and might don’t have to ! Thanks
I have only cleaned mine front load seal once and that was several years ago. I keep the door open and take out the laundry dispenser and leave the drawer its in pulled out to dry. That has helped to slow the mold growth, but not forever! I’ve put off cleaning it agaim for a while because the first time I cleaned it, it took hours and a lot of scrubbing! So, I really doubted this easy process would work. The smell was telling me, it’s past time to clean it! So, a couple of hours ago, I found your technique on Pinterest. I truly doubted it would work, but I decided to try it. I just took the bleached wet rags(I used old thin wash cloths) and tucked them into the seal for the hour (just as you recommended). I, honestly, couldn’t believe my eyes! The mold was almost entirely gone! I missed a couple of small places and I noticed the seal close to the rim of the laundry tub needed the rags tucked into it (though that part wasn’t as bad). I just now put them in for 30 minutes, but even if I look and they need thirty more, that’s so easy! I’m so thankful I found your technique and THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT! IT WORKS!!!
Did you dilute the bleach to the disinfectant level listed on the label or just straight from the bottle? About to try this tonight!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽 Excited
If the bleach gets all of the mold off should I still use the vinegar wash after?
Be careful when combining bleach with an acid like white vinegar–the combination can be deadly (seriously). I realize you’re not suggesting mixing them directly with one another, but I just want to note since they’re both the main ingredients in your method.
I tried this today, despite my strong reluctance to use bleach because of lingering questions of bleach and the environment. The results were less than stellar — I’d say maybe 25% better than before the procedure. I used a lot of water and electricity for not very much result. Also, the rubber gasket looks a bit more dried out than it did before. All-in-all, I’d say this was not a worthy endeavor for me and I will not be doing it again.
I was in the process of buying a new washer when I thought I would give this a try….. .. I am astonished at the results….. I have tried everything but this really does work… and honestly don’t know what people who have commented criticising have used….. 1st try washer is immaculate….. I did a little test last night for a hour on a rag to see if I would be wasting my time today…. I haven’t and I am absolutely thrilled
so glad it helped!
Holalejía? Buenas tardes, gracias por tus concejos, lo tratare, Me podría decir cual es el jabón de lejia?
Don’t forget to clean the filter. I put the machine on for a few seconds as the first few seconds the machine sucks up and drains some leftover water. I then immediately stop the machine. I do it about 3-4 times as the less water to deal with the better. Look in your manual as to.how to open the filter area as you don’t want the water that pools there to flood your floor. It could be a few cups worth. If you haven’t cleaned your filter it will be full of scum and guck and moldy smelling. The scum gets thrown out and then wash the filter with soap and a toothbrush. Make sure you close up the filter area properly as I absent mindedly once didn’t do so and had water all over.
Another good “tool” to have is a brush you would use to clean the straw of your Contigo-like water bottle. You can catch the hair and scum easily that gets trapped under the rubber in the door opening.
And using an AFFRESH tablet (for washing machines) is a definite need in your clean tub cycle. The other brand is a fake, I think.
great tips!
What type of bleach is used to clean the mold?
This is the second time I’ve used this technique and I do like it but there is mold that’s just stuck in the machine on the rubber part. Any idea how to get it off completely?
Also do you have problem with water just pooling in the rubber part after you do a load of wash? Mine always does and that’s another reason the mold keeps coming back.
Always make your last load of laundry one you do the rinse cycle on high spin. This gets as much water out as it possibly can. Once I started doing high spin rinse on my final wash I’ve not had any problems with my washer smelling bad and not nearly as dirty to clean.
Knowing these machines are mold factories, I don’t know why ANYONR would buy one!
I’ve tried numerous ways to clean my front load washer with little to no results. This method has cleaned better than any other. It took my 2 days to get through it because my machine’s self clean is 4 hours. I think I’m going to start doing this every few months to stay on top of the residue.
Do you put the bleach in the literal detergent tray or bleach tray?
Just did the white towels with bleach- you might suggest opening doors and windows- I feel as though I inhaled too much bleach.
You should always use cold water with bleach. If you use hot it deactivates the cleaner.
This is a friendly warning. DO NOT mix beach and vingear. This produces toxic chlorine gas. I followed the intructions on this site. My house smelled like a pool. Just use either beach or vingaer not both. There should be warning on this site.
Hi Karrie, the bleach and vinegar are used in two separate washing cycles, they are never mixed in this tutorial.
I went one step further and purchased another door seal, when one gets ready to clean, I replace the seal and clean the old one for the next time. It’s not too difficult to replace the seal, and once you’ve done it, it gets easier and faster to do.
Do we leave the towels or old t shirts in the whole time through each cycle?
Woah my washer looked exactly like your image at the beginning of the post and after trying to scrub it out with hot water and soap and bleach nothing was letting up so I was skeptical of thinking that the towel soaked in bleach would clear everything out but so my surprise, it did! Super happy with the results, from someone who was clueless in this situation I’m so happy I stumbled along this post!