Before you start
- Washing machine cleaner (or as your manual recommends)
- An old toothbrush and microfibre cloths
- Old towels and a shallow tray (for the filter)
- Rubber gloves
- Your machine’s manual
Method 1 Clean the detergent drawer
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Step 1: Remove it
Pull the drawer out until it stops, then press the release tab (often marked in the softener compartment) and pull it free. Check your manual if it won’t come out.
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Step 2: Soak and scrub
Soak it in hot soapy water for 10 minutes, then scrub off detergent residue and mould with an old toothbrush. Rinse and dry.
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Step 3: Clean the cavity
Use the toothbrush and a damp cloth to clean inside the drawer opening, including the top where black mould often hides.
Method 2 Clean the rubber door seal (front loaders)
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Step 1: Pull back the folds
Gently pull back the rubber seal around the door opening. You may find hair, coins, fluff and black mould.
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Step 2: Wipe it clean
Remove debris, then wipe with warm water and a little detergent, or a mould cleaner suitable for rubber, following its label. Rinse with a damp cloth.
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Step 3: Dry it
Dry the seal with a cloth. Leaving water in the folds is the main cause of mould.
Method 3 Clean the drain pump filter
Clean the filter every 1–3 months, or whenever the machine drains slowly or shows a drain error.
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Step 1: Unplug and prepare
Turn off and unplug the machine. If you’ve just run a hot wash, wait until the water cools. The filter is usually behind a small flap at the bottom front.
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Step 2: Drain the water
Lay towels and a shallow tray down. Many machines have a small drain hose next to the filter: pull it out, remove its cap and let the water drain into the tray. There can be a lot of water, so empty the tray as needed.
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Step 3: Unscrew the filter
Turn the filter anticlockwise slowly and pull it out. Remove fluff, hair, coins and any other debris, and rinse it under the tap.
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Step 4: Refit it firmly
Screw the filter back in clockwise until tight, replace the drain hose cap and close the flap. Check for leaks on the next wash.
Method 4 Run a maintenance wash
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Step 1: Empty the drum
Make sure there are no clothes inside.
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Step 2: Add the cleaner
Add a washing machine cleaner as the pack directs, usually straight into the drum or the detergent drawer.
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Step 3: Run the hottest cycle
Choose the Drum Clean, Tub Clean or Self Clean programme if your machine has one, or the hottest cotton cycle (60–90°C).
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Step 4: Wipe and air
Wipe the drum, door glass and outside of the machine, and leave the door and drawer slightly open so everything dries.
Method 5 Clean a top-loading machine
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Step 1: Run a hot cycle with cleaner
Use the Tub Clean programme or hottest cycle with washing machine cleaner.
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Step 2: Wipe under the lid
Clean the underside of the lid, the rim of the drum and the dispensers, which collect residue.
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Step 3: Clean the agitator or filter
Some top loaders have a removable lint filter in the drum or agitator. Check your manual and rinse it.
Troubleshooting
The machine still smells after cleaning
Clean the filter and the drawer cavity again, check the drain hose isn’t kinked or blocked, and run a second hot cleaning cycle.
Water won’t drain
The filter is probably blocked. Clean it as above, and check the drain hose for kinks. If it still won’t drain, the pump may be faulty.
Black mould won’t come off the seal
Deep-set mould stains the rubber. If it’s cracked or very stained, replace the seal; it’s a common part.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Run a maintenance wash and wipe the seal monthly, clean the drawer every month or two, and clean the filter every 1–3 months.
Can I use baking soda?
A little in a hot empty wash can help freshen the drum, but a dedicated cleaner removes limescale and residue better. Follow your manual.
Why does my washing machine smell like eggs?
Bacteria and mould in leftover water, detergent residue or a blocked filter. Clean the filter and seal and run a hot cycle.
Summary
Each month, wash the detergent drawer, wipe and dry the door seal, and run a hot empty cycle with washing machine cleaner. Clean the drain filter every few months over a towel and tray. Use the right amount of detergent and leave the door and drawer open between washes to keep smells away.
