How to Clean a Washing Machine Drum Safely

Gather a restrained kit

A microfiber cloth, a soft brush, warm water, and a label-permitted washer cleaner are usually enough. Avoid abrasive pads and unapproved descalers inside the drum.

Why drum residue builds up

Detergent excess, soft water dosing, cold cycles, and closed doors all contribute to biofilm and residue inside the drum. Understanding the cause directs the routine toward removal and prevention rather than stronger chemistry.

How to clean washing machine drum safely

A washing machine drum can collect detergent film, body oils, lint, mineral scale, and standing water residue. A washer-cleaning cycle helps flush the inside of the machine, but it is only one part of a complete routine. The drum, door or lid, rubber gasket, dispenser, drain area, and exterior are different surfaces and may require different care.

This method is for an empty residential front-load or top-load washer with a stainless-steel, porcelain-enamel, or hard-plastic interior. Start with the owner’s manual because cycle names, water temperatures, cleaner amounts, and access to the drain filter vary by model. Whirlpool’s manufacturer care guidance, for example, describes a washer-cleaning cycle and routine attention to areas that can retain residue: manufacturer care instructions.

Identify the surface and the boundary

The visible perforated cylinder is the drum. On some top-load machines, the drum surrounds a separate central agitator or wash plate. On front-load machines, the drum sits behind a flexible rubber door gasket. The gasket, dispenser drawer, lid, agitator, pump filter, and exterior finish are not the same surface as the drum.

This routine does not cover repairs, removal of the drum, deep cleaning inside hoses, pump replacement, or treatment of severe mold-like growth. It also does not remove rust caused by damaged metal, fix a leaking seal, or diagnose a sewage odor caused by a drain installation problem. Do not scrape coatings or try to disassemble the washer unless the manual specifically permits it.

Prepare the washer

1. Empty every pocket and remove all clothing, coins, hair, lint, and visible items from the drum. Check the door gasket folds and the bottom of the tub area without pulling or stretching the seal.
2. Read the washer manual and look for a setting named Clean Washer, Tub Clean, Drum Clean, or a similar term. Confirm whether the manufacturer requires a particular washer cleaner or permits liquid chlorine bleach. Use the manual’s instructions when they differ from this general routine.
3. Gather a soft microfiber cloth, a soft nylon brush or old soft toothbrush, clean water, and the approved washer-cleaning product. Do not use steel wool, abrasive scouring powder, a knife, or a hard scraper on the drum or gasket.
4. If the machine has a removable detergent drawer, remove it only as directed. Rinse away loose residue in a sink and wipe the opening with a damp cloth. Leave the drawer out to dry while the drum cycle runs if the manual allows it.
5. If the washer has a drain pump filter that the owner can safely access, check the manual before opening it. Place a shallow container and towel below the access point because residual water may escape. Skip this step if the filter is not intended for user access.

Run the drum-cleaning routine

1. Close the door or lid and select the manufacturer’s cleaning cycle. If the machine has no cleaning cycle, use the hottest and longest empty cycle that the manual identifies as suitable for washer maintenance. Do not add laundry, detergent, fabric softener, or scent beads.
2. Add only the approved cleaner and the amount specified on its label or in the manual. A washer cleaner is not automatically a disinfectant. If you need a disinfecting claim for a specific contamination concern, use an EPA-registered product whose label lists the intended use and follow the label’s contact time; the EPA’s selected disinfectants information explains why label directions matter.
3. If the manual permits chlorine bleach and gives an amount, follow that direction exactly. Never combine bleach with vinegar, citric acid, descaler, ammonia, detergent residue, or another cleaner. Do not pour a product into a compartment unless the manual says that compartment is designed for it.
4. Let the full cycle finish. Do not interrupt it to add another chemical or to inspect the water. A second plain-water rinse may be useful if the manual or cleaner label calls for one, or if residue remains after the first cycle.
5. When the cycle is complete, wipe the inside of the door glass, the upper drum rim, and any reachable residue with a damp soft cloth. Wipe the gasket folds separately, then dry them. For a top-loader, wipe under the lid and around the wash plate or agitator without flooding the area.
6. Rinse and dry the dispenser drawer and return it only after the parts are free of cleaner residue. Wipe the outside with a cloth dampened with water and dry it. Do not spray cleaner directly toward control panels, switches, vents, or electrical openings.
7. Leave the front door or top lid open when the washer is not running, unless this creates a child-safety or walkway hazard. Keep the dispenser slightly open if the manual recommends it. Drying reduces the damp conditions that allow odors to return.

When to stop

Stop the routine if the drum has sharp edges, a loose or peeling coating, exposed rust, a cracked door glass, a torn gasket, a persistent leak, or an electrical smell. Do not continue scrubbing a damaged surface; contact the manufacturer or a qualified appliance technician.

A musty odor that returns quickly after a complete approved cycle may come from the gasket, dispenser housing, drain filter, drain hose, or a plumbing problem rather than the drum itself. If you see recurring black or slimy growth, cannot reach the affected area safely, or are cleaning after sewage backup or another contamination event, arrange professional evaluation. CDC guidance recommends cleaning before disinfecting and following the disinfectant label; wiping visible residue away does not prove that a surface has been disinfected (CDC cleaning and disinfecting guidance).

FAQ

Can I clean the drum with vinegar?

Do not add vinegar or another acidic cleaner unless the washer manufacturer specifically approves it. Acidic products can also create a dangerous reaction if mixed with bleach or an ammonia-containing product. Use the washer’s manual and the approved cleaner label instead of combining household ingredients.

Should I use detergent during the cleaning cycle?

Usually, no. Use the dedicated washer cleaner or other product and amount specified by the manufacturer. Extra detergent can leave additional residue and may produce excess suds. Run a separate empty rinse only when the manual or product directions call for it.

Do I need to clean the gasket separately?

Yes. The gasket is outside the drum-cleaning water path in ways that can leave folds damp or dirty. Wipe its accessible surfaces with a soft cloth and the cleaner approved for that material, then dry the folds. Do not pull aggressively, puncture the seal, or pour cleaner into the gasket.

How often should I run this routine?

Follow the washer manual first. If it gives no interval, inspect the machine regularly and run the approved cleaning cycle when odor or residue appears, while leaving the door or lid open between loads. High-use households, cool washes, and frequent liquid-product use may need more frequent maintenance, but the correct interval depends on the machine and local water conditions.

Source note

This routine is based on manufacturer washer-care guidance and public cleaning and disinfecting guidance from the CDC and EPA. Source pages were checked on 2026-09-18. Product labels and the washer owner’s manual control the permitted chemical, dose, cycle, temperature, and contact time for a particular machine.