How to Clean a Top Loading Clothes Washer: Complete Maintenance Guide

Your clothes might not smell as fresh as they should. This is often because your washing machine needs cleaning too. That machine which cleans your clothes can get dirty and leave residue on your laundry.

The solution is simple. We’ll show you how to clean your top-loading washer with basic household items. You’ll also learn why it gets dirty, how to deal with tough grime, and ways to keep it fresh longer.

Why Your Top-Loader Gets Dirty: Understanding the Root Causes

It helps to know what makes your washer dirty. Most people skip this part. Four main things cause grime and bad smells in your washer.

• Soap Scum & Detergent Buildup: Using too much detergent leaves sticky residue. This traps dirt and bacteria.
• Hard Water Mineral Deposits: If you have hard water, limescale and calcium build up inside. These mineral deposits create rough surfaces that collect lint and dirt.
• Biofilm (Mold & Mildew): This causes that swampy smell. Biofilm is a slimy layer of bacteria and fungi that grows in damp, dark places like your washer drum.
• Lint, Fibers, and Soil: Tiny bits from your clothes, plus dirt and oils, get trapped in hidden parts of the machine. They often stick to the biofilm or get caught in filters and under the agitator.

Prep & Safety: What You’ll Need and What to Avoid

Cleaning your machine only requires a few common items. Let’s get everything ready before we start.

Gather Your Cleaning Arsenal

• Distilled White Vinegar (about 4 cups or 1 quart)
• Baking Soda (1 cup)
• Chlorine Bleach (Optional, for severe mildew cases)
• Microfiber Cloths
• An old toothbrush or a small scrub brush
• A spray bottle (optional, but helpful for spot cleaning)

CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING: Never Mix Bleach and Vinegar!

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The Two-Cycle Deep Clean: Your Step-by-Step Guide

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Method 1: The Go-To Natural Clean with Vinegar & Baking Soda

This is our favorite method for monthly cleaning. It works well, is safe for septic systems, and uses things you probably already have.

1. Run a Hot Water Cycle with Vinegar. Make sure your washer is empty. Set the machine to its hottest water setting, largest load size, and longest wash cycle. Add 4 cups of distilled white vinegar directly into the washer drum.
2. Pause and Soak. Close the lid and let the machine run for 5-10 minutes to mix the vinegar and hot water. Then, open the lid to pause the cycle. Let the vinegar solution sit in the drum for at least an hour. This helps dissolve the buildup.
3. Scrub the Interior. While it’s soaking, dip a cloth into the vinegar water. Wipe down all parts you can reach: the inside of the lid, the rim of the drum, and the top of the agitator. Use your old toothbrush for tight spaces like the dispenser compartments.
4. Complete Cycle 1 and Add Baking Soda. Close the lid and let the wash cycle finish. You might see black specks in the water or on the drum—this is good! It means the vinegar is breaking down the biofilm.
5. Run a Second Hot Cycle with Baking Soda. After the first cycle ends, add 1 cup of baking soda directly to the drum. Run another hot, long cycle. The baking soda will scrub away loosened residue, neutralize leftover vinegar, and make the machine smell fresh.

Method 2: The Disinfecting Clean with Bleach (For Mold & Mildew)

If you have serious mildew or haven’t cleaned your machine in years, bleach works well. Remember: never use this method if vinegar is still in the machine.

1. Run a Hot Water Cycle with Bleach. Start with an empty washer. Set the machine to the hottest, largest setting. Add 1 quart (4 cups) of chlorine bleach to the drum. If your machine has a bleach dispenser, add 1 cup there and the rest directly to the drum.
2. Pause and Let It Soak. Let the machine fill and run for a few minutes to mix the bleach. Then, pause the cycle for one hour. This gives the bleach time to kill mold and bacteria. Keep the room well-ventilated during this process.
3. Complete the Cycle and Run an Extra Rinse. After soaking for an hour, close the lid and let the cycle finish. We strongly suggest running another full rinse cycle afterward. This makes sure all bleach is gone before you wash clothes again.

Beyond the Drum: Cleaning Key Components

Grime likes to hide in small, often-forgotten places. Cleaning just the drum is only half the job.

Cleaning Dispensers and Drawers

• Most top-loaders have removable dispensers for fabric softener and bleach. Pull them out gently.
• Soak these parts in a sink with warm water and some vinegar for 15-20 minutes.
• Use your small brush to scrub away all the sticky residue.
• Rinse them well, let them dry, and put them back.

Wiping Down the Exterior and Lid

• The outside gets dirty too. Mix warm water with a few drops of dish soap in your spray bottle.
• Spray and wipe down the whole exterior, especially the control panel and the lid. A clean exterior makes your laundry room feel fresher.

Don’t Forget the Lint Filter

• Many people don’t know their top-loader might have a lint filter. Not all models do, but you should check. It might be a small mesh bag inside the agitator (you may need to unscrew the top) or a screen near the top rim of the drum.
• If you find one, remove it and clean out the contents. A dirty filter often causes bad smells, so cleaning it can make a big difference.

Advanced Troubleshooting for Stubborn Smells & Grime

What if you’ve done everything and the musty smell is still there? This usually means there’s buildup in a place you can’t easily see.

When the Smell Lingers: Tackling Hidden Biofilm

If a normal clean doesn’t work, the problem is likely a thick layer of biofilm under the agitator or wash plate at the bottom of the drum. This area stays wet and is perfect for growing nasty gunk.

The Deepest Clean: Accessing Beneath the Agitator (Advanced)

This step is for tough problems and takes more work. First, search on YouTube for your specific washer model to see a visual guide.

• On many models, the agitator cap can be pried off to reveal a bolt. Once you unscrew the bolt, the entire agitator column can be lifted out.
• Be ready for what you might find. Years of black, smelly sludge can build up in this area. It’s often the hidden source of odors that regular cleaning can’t reach.
• Scrub the basin and the bottom of the agitator with a brush and your vinegar/water solution until clean. Then put everything back together.

Proactive Care: How to Keep Your Top-Loader Fresh

Now that your machine is clean, let’s keep it that way. A few simple habits can prevent buildup and save you from deep cleaning as often.

• Leave the Lid Open: This is the #1 most effective rule. After washing, leave the lid open so air can circulate and the drum can dry completely. This prevents the dark, damp environment where mold grows.
• Use the Right Detergent in the Right Amount: More soap doesn’t mean cleaner clothes. Use HE detergent if your machine needs it, and follow the dosage instructions to prevent residue.
• Remove Clean Clothes Promptly: Don’t let wet laundry sit in the washer for hours. This creates humidity that encourages mildew on both your clothes and the machine.
• Schedule a Monthly Clean: Prevention works best. Plan to run a maintenance cycle with vinegar once a month. This small habit will keep your washer working well.

A Fresh Start for Your Laundry

By following these steps, you’re not just cleaning your washing machine. You’re protecting your clothes and making your appliance last longer. A clean washer gives you truly clean, fresh-smelling laundry and makes doing laundry more pleasant.

With a little regular maintenance, you can easily keep odors and grime away. Enjoy knowing that your machine is working properly for you, not against you.

FAQ

1. How often should I clean my top loading clothes washer?
   It’s recommended to clean your top loading washer monthly to prevent buildup of soap scum, mineral deposits, and biofilm that cause odors and affect cleaning performance.
2. Can I use vinegar and bleach together to clean my top loading clothes washer?
   Never mix vinegar and bleach when cleaning your washer as this creates toxic chlorine gas. Use them in separate cleaning cycles with thorough rinsing in between.
3. Why does my top loading clothes washer smell even after cleaning?
   Persistent odors typically indicate biofilm hiding under the agitator or in hard-to-reach areas. You may need to remove the agitator for a deeper clean or use the bleach method for severe mold issues.
4. What’s the quickest way to clean my top loading clothes washer?
   The quickest effective method is running a hot water cycle with 4 cups of white vinegar, pausing to soak for an hour, then completing with a baking soda cycle.
5. How can I prevent my top loading clothes washer from getting dirty again?
   Leave the lid open after each use to allow air circulation, use the correct amount of detergent, promptly remove clean clothes, and run a monthly maintenance cycle with vinegar.