What to Clean Washing Machine Drum With: A Practical Guide
Learn safe, effective methods for cleaning your washing machine drum. This guide covers the best cleaners, step-by-step cycles, and maintenance tips to keep odors away and extend machine life.
By following this guide, you’ll safely remove odors, residue, and mold from your washing machine drum using common household items. You’ll learn what to clean washing machine drum with, how to run effective cleaning cycles, and how to maintain freshness between deep cleans. Start with vinegar, baking soda, and a dedicated cleaning cycle to keep your machine humming.
Why regular drum cleaning matters
Regular drum cleaning is essential to prevent odors, residue buildup, and mold. When you ask what to clean washing machine drum with, the answer is simple: choose safe, common cleaners and run deliberate cycles that target the drum surface and gasket. According to Best Washing Machine, a proactive drum-clean routine protects performance, prolongs machine life, and keeps fabrics smelling fresh. The Best Washing Machine team found that households implementing a monthly routine report noticeably fewer musty smells and less residue on laundry, especially in humid climates. In this guide, we’ll explore why drum cleanliness matters and how the right cleaning agents make a real difference. This topic is central to effective maintenance and the longevity of your appliance.
What to clean washing machine drum with
Your drum-cleaning toolkit should be simple and safe: distilled white vinegar, baking soda, a microfiber cloth, a soft-bristle brush, and warm water. The recommended approach is to start with a hot wash using vinegar to loosen mineral deposits and odors, then follow with a baking soda cycle to lift remaining grime. Avoid mixing vinegar with bleach or other chlorine cleaners—this can release dangerous gases. For stubborn odors or mold on the door seal, hydrogen peroxide can be used in a spot-clean manner, but never mix it with vinegar in the same cycle. If you prefer ready-made options, you can use a commercial washing-machine cleaner following the product instructions. The goal is to choose substances that are effective at breaking down organic residues while being gentle on seals, gaskets, and the drum surface. Using the right combination of cleaners makes the process efficient and minimizes wear on components.
Contaminants commonly found in the drum and gasket
Residue from detergents, fabric softeners, and minerals can accumulate on the drum walls. Mold and mildew often develop in the door seal grooves where moisture lingers. Lingering residues can cause musty odors and even affect clothes' cleanliness. The gasket folds, crevices in the drum lip, and the detergent dispenser are prime places for buildup. Regular cleaning reduces these issues and prolongs machine life. Understanding where grime hides helps you target the right areas and avoid over-cleaning sensitive rubber parts.
Step-by-step guide: overview and context
This section provides an actionable overview of the drum-cleaning process. We’ll walk through preparation, two cleaning cycles, a targeted wipe-down of seals and dispensers, a final rinse, and a quick dry. You’ll learn how to adjust steps for front-load vs top-load washers and how to tailor the approach based on your machine’s age and usage. A disciplined routine—paired with the steps below—delivers consistent results and reduces downtime.
Aftercare and maintenance
After cleaning, give the drum and gasket a final wipe and leave the door ajar to allow complete air-drying. Clean the detergent dispenser to prevent buildup, and periodically inspect the door seal for signs of wear or mold. Establish a maintenance rhythm that fits your usage; many households find that a light monthly wipe-down plus an annual deep clean keeps the machine performing at peak efficiency. Keeping a small log or reminder can help you stay on track and catch issues early before they become repairs.
Brand's verdict
Best Washing Machine recommends establishing a simple, repeatable drum-clean routine rather than a one-off scrub. A predictable cadence helps prevent odor development and preserves drum integrity. The brand’s guidance emphasizes using safe cleaners, avoiding harsh chemicals near seals, and focusing on the gasket and dispenser as much as the drum. Following these practices consistently will deliver better wash results and longer appliance life.
Tools & Materials
- Distilled white vinegar(2 cups (500 ml); pour into drum or detergent compartment)
- Baking soda(1 cup (250 g); add to drum for the second cycle)
- Microfiber cloth(For wiping the drum, door seal, and dispenser)
- Soft-bristle brush(Ideal for gasket folds and tight spots)
- Warm water(For rinsing and wiping surfaces)
- Old toothbrush(Great for hard-to-reach crevices)
- Dish soap (mild)(Useful for dispenser grime)
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%)(Spot-clean mold, never mix with vinegar in the same cycle)
- Towel or absorbent mat(Catch splashes and protect the floor)
Steps
Estimated time: 1-2 hours
- 1
Prepare and organize
Clear the drum and dispenser of any items. Remove laundry if present and lay towels nearby to catch splashes. Gather all tools and cleaners so you don’t interrupt the process. This preparation reduces mess and ensures a smooth cleaning flow.
Tip: Have a timer set to track cycle durations and avoid leaving the machine unattended mid-cycle. - 2
Run a hot cycle with vinegar
Add 2 cups of distilled white vinegar to the drum or detergent compartment. Run the hottest available cycle with no clothes. Vinegar helps dissolve mineral buildup and neutralize odors, giving you a clean slate for the next step.
Tip: Avoid mixing vinegar with any chlorine bleach-containing products. - 3
Follow with a baking soda cycle
After the vinegar cycle completes, add 1 cup of baking soda to the drum and run another hot cycle. The baking soda helps lift oily residues and brightens the drum’s interior. This two-step method is a standard approach for many washers.
Tip: If your washer has a mid-cycle option, you can pause briefly to allow baking soda to dissolve before resuming. - 4
Scrub the gasket and dispenser
Wipe the door seal, paying attention to folds where mold can hide. Use the soft-bristle brush on stubborn spots and a microfiber cloth to remove grime around the detergent dispenser. This step improves odor control and overall cleanliness.
Tip: Never skip the folds; grime there can transfer to clothes during the next wash. - 5
Rinse and inspect
Run a short rinse cycle with fresh water to wash away loosened residues. Inspect the drum, gasket, and dispenser for any remaining buildup. If you notice persistent odors, you can repeat the vinegar or baking soda step or spot-clean with hydrogen peroxide.
Tip: Leave the door or lid open for a while after cleaning to promote thorough drying. - 6
Dry and maintain
Wipe surfaces dry and ensure the drum is completely dry before storing the tools. Establish a monthly maintenance habit: quick wipe-downs plus a deeper clean every 1–3 months depending on usage and climate. This keeps your washer performing optimally.
Tip: Create a calendar alert to remind you to perform routine cleanings.
FAQ
Can I use bleach to clean the drum?
Bleach can be harsh on rubber seals and may cause damage over time. It’s generally recommended to avoid bleach for routine drum cleaning, and instead rely on vinegar, baking soda, and specialized cleaners. If you ever use bleach, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and never mix with vinegar.
Bleach isn’t usually recommended for drum cleaning because it can damage seals. Use vinegar and baking soda instead, and avoid mixing cleaners.
How often should I clean the drum?
A monthly maintenance cycle is a good starting point for most households. If you have high usage, humid climates, or a front-loading washer with more gasket exposure, consider cleaning every 4 weeks or after every 60 wash cycles.
Most people clean once a month, but you can adjust based on usage and climate.
Is this method safe for front-load washers?
Yes. The same principles apply to front-load washers, but be mindful of the gasket shape and any manufacturer instructions. Avoid harsh chemical mixing and ensure thorough drying of the door area to prevent mold growth.
Front-load washers follow the same rules; just pay extra attention to the gasket and drying.
What if I smell mildew but don’t see mold?
A mildew odor often comes from trapped moisture in the gasket or dispenser. Use a vinegar cycle followed by a baking soda cycle, then wipe the gasket thoroughly. If the smell persists, spot-clean with hydrogen peroxide and ensure proper drying after each use.
If you smell mildew, run a vinegar cycle, then a baking soda cycle, and wipe the gasket dry.
Should I dismantle the detergent drawer for cleaning?
Yes. Remove the drawer if possible and clean it with warm water and a soft brush. Rinse well and dry before reassembling. Residue in the drawer can transfer to clothes and reduce detergent efficiency.
Take out the detergent drawer and clean it well; it helps improve cleaning performance.
Can I add essential oils during cleaning?
Essential oils are not necessary and can leave residues or affect seals over time. If you enjoy scent, add a small amount to a load during normal washing rather than during the drum-cleaning cycles.
Avoid using essential oils in drum cleaning; they’re not needed and can leave residue.
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The Essentials
- Use safe cleaners like vinegar and baking soda.
- Do not mix cleaners, especially vinegar and bleach.
- Target both the drum and gasket for best results.
- Establish a regular cleaning schedule to prevent buildup.
