What is How to Clean a Washing Machine? A Complete 2026 Guide

If your laundry smells musty, your washer leaves residue on clothes, or you keep spotting grime around the drum, you’re probably overdue for a proper clean. Learning how to clean a washing machine is one of the easiest ways to improve wash performance, reduce odors, and help your appliance last longer. In this guide, you’ll learn what washing machine cleaning actually does, how it works, what to look for in a cleaner, and which products are worth considering in 2026.

How It Works

Cleaning a washing machine means removing the buildup that hides inside the drum, gasket, dispenser, pump, hoses, and filter area. Over time, detergent residue, hard-water minerals, body oils, pet hair, lint, and moisture can combine into sticky grime or biofilm that causes odors and reduces cleaning performance. A proper cleaning routine breaks down that buildup so water can move more freely and your laundry comes out fresher.

Most washer cleaners work in one of two ways: they either dissolve residue with surfactants and descalers, or they use enzymes to break down organic messes like hair, soap scum, and odor-causing debris. Tablets are especially convenient because you simply drop them into an empty washer and run a cycle, letting the formula circulate through the same internal pathways your laundry uses. That circulation is important because the dirtiest areas are often the ones you can’t see.

For best results, a cleaning cycle usually runs with hot water or a machine’s self-clean setting. The heat helps loosen buildup, while the cleaner lifts it away from surfaces and flushes it down the drain. Regular maintenance keeps the washer from becoming a source of odor instead of a solution for it.

Key Benefits & Use Cases

Understanding how to clean a washing machine is useful whether you own a top-loader, front-loader, or high-efficiency model. The benefits go beyond appearance and can directly affect how well your laundry comes out.

Key Benefits

• Reduces musty, sour, or mildew-like odors inside the drum
• Helps remove detergent residue, lint, and grime buildup
• Supports better washing performance and water flow
• Can help extend the life of internal parts by reducing buildup
• Improves freshness for towels, sheets, workout clothes, and everyday laundry

Common Use Cases

• Monthly maintenance for any household washer
• Odor control after washing pet bedding or sweaty clothing
• Cleaning after hard-water mineral buildup
• Routine care for HE front-load and top-load machines
• Resetting a washer that has been sitting unused for a while

What to Look For When Buying

If you want a cleaner that actually helps, focus on these five criteria before buying.

1. Washer Compatibility

Make sure the product works with your machine type, whether it’s front-load, top-load, HE, or standard. A compatible formula is more likely to clean effectively without leaving residue or causing issues.

2. Cleaning Method

Some products rely on enzymes, while others use deep-clean or descaling formulas. Enzyme-based options are often strong on hair, odor, and organic buildup, while descaling formulas are useful for mineral deposits and soap scum.

3. Odor Control

If your washer smells bad, choose a cleaner designed to neutralize odors rather than just mask them. Look for claims tied to mildew, bacteria, residue, or trapped grime.

4. Ease of Use

Tablets are usually the simplest option because they require no measuring. A monthly drop-in tablet is ideal for people who want a low-effort maintenance routine.

5. Value Per Cleaning Cycle

Check how many tablets come in the pack and how often you’ll need to use them. A larger supply can be more economical if you plan to clean monthly or more often.

Top Recommended Products

Below are four popular washer-cleaning tablets that fit different needs, from odor control to pet-hair cleanup to budget-friendly maintenance.

Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner 4.7★ (estimated from product popularity) ✓ Prime

Affresh is a well-known option for monthly washer maintenance, especially if your goal is to fight odor-causing grime deep inside the machine. Its time-release tablets are designed to work throughout the cycle and help clean hard-to-reach areas like the pump, valve, and hoses.

• ✓ Time-release tablets help clean throughout the wash cycle
• ✓ Designed to remove bacteria, grime, and soap scum
• ✓ Helps reduce pet, sweat, and mildew odors
• ✓ One tablet per month makes maintenance simple
• ✓ Recommended by major appliance brands

• ✗ Higher price than some budget alternatives
• ✗ Best for routine maintenance, not heavy manual scrubbing needs

Check Price on Amazon →

ACTIVE Washing Machine Cleaner for Pet Owners 4.7★ (estimated from product popularity) ✓ Prime

This is a strong pick if pet hair, pet odor, or residue buildup is your biggest problem. The enzyme blend is designed to break down hair, sludge, soap, oil, and limescale while remaining septic-safe and compatible with many washer types.

• ✓ Enzyme-based formula targets pet hair and odor
• ✓ Works with HE, front-load, and top-load washers
• ✓ Septic-safe and designed for monthly use
• ✓ Good fit for households with pets and heavy laundry loads
• ✓ 24 tablets provide a long supply

• ✗ Less focused on brand recognition than some mainstream options
• ✗ May be more specialized than needed for simple maintenance

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5X Power Deep Cleaning Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets 4.6★ (estimated from product popularity) ✓ Prime 14% OFF — Was $14.99

This budget-friendly option is attractive if you want a full year’s supply at a lower price. It emphasizes deep cleaning, odor control, and pet-fur breakdown, making it a practical routine choice for busy households.

• ✓ Strong value with 24 tablets and a low price
• ✓ Targets odor, residue, limescale, and pet fur
• ✓ Compatible with HE, front-load, and top-load washers
• ✓ Septic-safe and easy to use monthly
• ✓ Includes an enzyme formula for organic buildup

• ✗ Less established than some top household brands
• ✗ Fragrance preferences may vary by user

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Washing Machine Cleaner Tablets | Zyro 4.6★ (estimated from product popularity) ✓ Prime 34% OFF — Was $14.99

Zyro is a compelling value pick for people who want a simple, all-machine-compatible cleaner. Its formula focuses on deep cleaning, odor neutralization, and mineral buildup, which makes it a solid general-purpose choice for regular maintenance.

• ✓ Affordable 24-pack with a full year of use
• ✓ Designed to neutralize odors and remove residue
• ✓ Works with HE, standard, front-load, and top-load washers
• ✓ Helps dissolve limescale and mineral deposits
• ✓ Easy drop-in tablet format

• ✗ Not as specialized for pet households as enzyme-heavy options
• ✗ Best suited to routine maintenance rather than severe buildup

Check Price on Amazon →

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the wrong cleaner for your washer type: Always check compatibility with front-load, top-load, HE, or standard machines.
• Cleaning too infrequently: Waiting until the washer smells bad makes buildup harder to remove.
• Forgetting hidden areas: The gasket, dispenser, filter, and drain areas can hold grime even if the drum looks clean.
• Using too much product: More cleaner does not usually mean better cleaning and may leave residue.
• Ignoring pet hair and lint buildup: If you wash pet bedding or heavily soiled items, use a product designed for that kind of mess.
• Leaving the door closed after washing: Trapped moisture encourages mildew and odor growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you clean a washing machine?

Most households should clean a washer about once a month. If you have pets, wash heavy workout clothes often, or notice odors, you may need to clean it more frequently.

What is the best way to clean a washing machine?

The best method is usually an empty hot-water cycle with a washer cleaner tablet or a machine’s self-clean cycle. You should also wipe the gasket, detergent drawer, and door area by hand.

Can you clean a washing machine with vinegar?

Some people use vinegar, but many washer makers prefer purpose-made cleaners because they are designed to remove residue and odor more effectively. Check your owner’s manual before using household ingredients.

Why does my washing machine smell bad?

Bad smells usually come from trapped moisture, detergent residue, mildew, lint, or organic buildup like pet hair and body oils. Regular cleaning helps remove the source of the odor instead of just covering it up.

Do washing machine cleaner tablets really work?

Yes, they can work well for routine maintenance and odor control when used correctly. They are especially helpful for breaking down residue inside parts you can’t easily scrub by hand.