How To Clean Your Front Load Washer

Inside: Deep dive into our step-by-step manual for cleaning a front load washer. With our comprehensive guide, cleaning your washer becomes a breeze. Find the housekeeping gem that’ll make your next laundry day fresh and clean.

Ever since I posted an article on cleaning a top load washing machine I have gotten so many comments and emails about cleaning a front load washer.

Then, a couple of weeks ago I got an email from one of the guys that my husband works with (Thanks Mark!!) about how he cares for his front-load washer.

It was perfect timing because my sister had complained about her smelly front loader. My sister was kind enough to let me come over and clean her washer. 😉

I am so excited to share with you today how to clean your front load washer and the easiest tip for keeping the smell permanently gone.

I will warn you there are a lot of very disgusting pictures! Who knew a machine built for keeping clothes clean could get so dirty!!

Why This Works?

• Often animal fats from the detergent get stuck throughout the machine causing it to smell.
• Mildew can gather in spots causing a mildew smell.
• The dish detergent will break up the animal fats and vinegar will help eliminate the mildew.

How To Clean A Front Load Washer

To get started cleaning a front load washing machine you will need a few things. You probably already have everything you need at home.

Items you need to get started:

• Vinegar (just the plain white vinegar works)
• Mold Remover (If you don't want to use vinegar or if they are really bad)
• Powder Dish Detergent ( we used this brand)
• Dish Soap (I use Dawn dish soap)
• Baking Soda
• Microfiber Cloth (this is my favorite brand!)
• Switch to this detergent to keep the smell away!

Draining The Washer & Cleaning The Filter

Step 1: Start by draining out any water from the washer. You should find a place to do this in front of the machine.

My sisters had a drain and a filter. We used a small tray to catch the water because it was so low to the ground.

Step 2: Remove the filter and clean it with some dish soap. The dish soap will help break down any fats that are on the filter.

The before and after were amazing!! It smelled like a fish tank before we cleaned it.

And after.

Step 3: Once you clean the filter and drain it then you can put the filter back in and close up the drain.

Cleaning Inside The Washer

Next, we are going to tackle cleaning inside of the washer.

Step 1: You will want to use a microfiber or rag and a 50/50 mixture of vinegar & water to wipe down the rubber seals.

You can also use this cleaner for rubber gaskets if you don't feel comfortable using vinegar on your gaskets.

The large rubber seal on her washer was covered with mold and gunk.

Step 2: You will also want to use the vinegar mix on the area between the rubber gasket and the drum.

This is where we found the most mold and gunk.

No wonder there was a smell!

Step 3: You will also find a drain area on the rubber seal. Make sure that you clean out the drain area well.

Note: Hairs, lint, and other things will clog it and cause mold and mildew. I started by using a toothpick to clear the holes.

Once I cleared all of the holes in the rubber gasket I pulled back the rubber gasket to find this blocking the drain below.

It was a giant piece of moldy laundry detergent, lint, hair, and who knows what else. There are no words for this.

Step 4: Once you are sure you have properly cleaned the rubber seals and as much as you can get behind them this job gets WAY easier.

You will also want to wipe down your seals using a rag or microfiber cloth.

Cleaning The Drum

Now we want to clean the drum and make sure everything is running clean in the machine.

Step 1: You will want to run a quick wash load with a cup of vinegar. Use the liquid dispenser and added the vinegar there.

The vinegar will get in the washer and the drain and help kill off any mold or mildew that is in the washing machine.

Step 2: When that load is done then add a cup of baking soda and run a quick wash. This time you will use the powder dispenser to run it through.

The baking soda will help to get rid of any funky smells your washer may have.

Removing Animal Fats

Finally, and this is the weird one. If you use liquid soap in your front loader you will want to run a quick load using powder dishwasher detergent.

Why do you ask?

Liquid laundry detergent often contains animal fats. If 100 percent of the detergent isn't washed away after the load is done then the animal fat will settle causing your washer to smell bad.

The powder dishwasher detergent will work just like it does in your dishwasher and clean away the grease and fats.

After the quick wash with the dish detergent, your front loader should smell great and be mold and mildew-free.

The difference in my sister's front loader was amazing. Not only does it look much better with the mold and mildew gone but it can drain much better now with the drain unclogged.

After going through all the work to clean your front loader you can keep it from smelling and accumulating mold and mildew just by switching to powder instead of liquid detergent.

Update: It's been 2 years since we cleaned my sister's machine and the smell has stayed gone just by using powdered detergent. I don't if all powdered detergent works as well but she swears by this detergent on Amazon.

It's an easy switch and keeps you from having to clean it all the time. I also highly recommend you keep the door open between cycles to let it air out too.

With a little work, your front load washer can be clean and mold free. Plus you can prevent the smells from ever coming back again!