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A washing machine needs a periodic empty cleaning cycle. Residue from detergent, softener, body soils, and hard water can collect in the drum, the dispensers, and — on a front-loader — in the folds of the door gasket. A cleaner made for washers, or a careful use of bleach where the manual allows it, is the straightforward way to do that job.
The steps below follow each manufacturer’s instructions and the product directions published by Affresh, Uproot, and Tide. Always check the use-and-care guide for your own machine first.
How often to clean the washer
Brands do not all use the same schedule. Use the shorter interval if the washer smells musty, you wash in cold water often, or you have pets and heavy soils.
| Product, according to the brand | How often | Where it goes |
|---|---|---|
| Affresh washing machine cleaner tablets | Monthly, or about every 30 washes | One tablet in the empty drum, not the dispenser |
| Uproot Clean Pro or Ultra tablets | Every two weeks, or when a musty odor shows up | One tablet in the empty drum, not the dispenser |
| Tide washing machine cleaner powder packets | Monthly after an initial clean-out, per the brand’s directions | One packet in the empty washer; Tide also sells a tablet version meant to be used twice a month |
| Liquid chlorine bleach, only if the manual allows it | As a stand-in some brands describe for a hot cycle | In the bleach dispenser, never mixed with vinegar or other cleaners |
If the washer has not been cleaned in a long time, some makers say you may need more than one empty cycle. A cleaning cycle uses water and energy, but it is still a maintenance load, not a substitute for washing clothes. For broader household water and energy context, see our laundry statistics page.
How to run a cleaner cycle
ol class=”wp-block-list”>Front-load gaskets and mildew
The rubber door seal on a front-load washer traps moisture, lint, and small objects. Pull the folds back, remove anything caught there, and wipe the seal with warm, soapy water or a cleaner the manual allows. Whirlpool describes a similar gasket wipe-down, and notes that a diluted bleach solution can be used on stubborn mildew — with gloves, a short contact time, and a thorough rinse. Dry the seal and leave the door open between loads.
A musty smell that returns right after a cleaner cycle often lives in that gasket or in a wet dispenser, not only in the drum. Wipe those areas every few washes in a humid room, and do not leave wet clothes sitting in a closed front-loader overnight.
Tablets, powder, vinegar, and bleach
| Method | What it is for | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|
| Washer-cleaner tablets (Affresh, Uproot, and similar) | An empty Clean Washer or hot cycle, to loosen detergent and odor-causing residue in the drum and circulation path | Put the tablet in the drum, not the dispenser. Follow the brand’s directions. |
| Washer-cleaner powder packets (Tide and similar) | The same empty-cycle job; Tide says its powder starts working faster than a tablet and lists an Oxi plus TAED formula, including for hard water | Use the whole packet as directed, with no clothes in the drum. |
| Chlorine bleach (if the manual allows it) | Some brands, including Affresh’s own how-to, say liquid chlorine bleach in the dispenser can be a stand-in for a tablet on a hot cycle | Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners. Use only the amount and placement your manual describes. |
| White vinegar | Sometimes used on a gasket wipe or as a household shortcut | Maytag advises against pouring vinegar into the washer drum, because the acidity can damage rubber seals and hoses over time. Do not treat vinegar as a full substitute for a cleaner cycle if your manufacturer warns against it. |
If you are choosing between Affresh and Uproot tablets, see our separate comparison of Uproot vs Affresh. The boxes below are the official Affresh six-count tablets, Uproot Clean Pro, and Tide’s powder packets — examples of the tablet and powder types above.
Keep the washer from turning musty
- Leave a front-loader door or a top-loader lid open between loads so the drum can dry.
- Wipe the gasket after washes, especially in a humid room.
- Avoid overusing detergent and softener; extra product is a common source of residue. If you are unsure about dosage, see how many ounces of laundry detergent to use per load.
- Clear the dispensers on a regular basis so they do not stay wet and filmy.
- Shake out heavy pet hair before a wash when you can, and run the cleaner cycle on the schedule your chosen brand recommends.
Top-load and front-load differences
The basic empty-cycle steps are the same, but the places residue hides are not. On a front-loader, the door gasket, detergent drawer, and any drain-pump filter deserve as much attention as the drum. On a top-loader, lift the lid and wipe around the rim and under a removable agitator cap if your manual shows one. Impeller-style HE top-loaders have less of a center post but can still collect film around the basket edge.
Use the Clean Washer cycle when the machine has one. If it does not, a hot, full-water or long cycle is the usual stand-in — not a short or eco cycle that may not circulate long enough. Your manual wins if it disagrees with a general rule.
Hard water and leftover film
Hard water can leave mineral film that makes a washer look dull or feel gritty even after a cleaner cycle. Tide’s powder cleaner specifically mentions an Oxi plus TAED formula that it says works in hard water. A washer-cleaner cycle is still not the same thing as descaling a coffee maker; if your manual recommends a particular process or a service visit for heavy scale, follow that. Do not pour leftover household chemicals into the drum in hopes of a faster result.
What to skip
- Mixing bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or a cleaner tablet
- Pouring vinegar into the drum if your manufacturer warns against it
- Running a cleaner cycle with clothes, sneakers, or a damp rug still inside
- Leaving the tablet in a dispenser drawer, where it may not dissolve the way the brand intends
- Ignoring a musty gasket because the drum looks clean
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean a washer with vinegar? Maytag advises against pouring vinegar into the washer drum, because the acidity can damage rubber seals and hoses over time. A wipe of a gasket with a diluted household solution is a different step from running vinegar through the machine. Follow your manual first.
Can you clean a washer with bleach? Some manuals and Affresh’s own how-to describe liquid chlorine bleach in the dispenser on a hot empty cycle as a stand-in for a tablet. Use only what your manual allows, and never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaners.
Do you clean a washing machine with clothes in it? No. Take everything out of the drum. Cleaner tablets and powder packets are meant for an empty cycle.
Why does my washer still smell after a cleaner cycle? Residue can remain in the door gasket, dispensers, or a drain-pump filter. Wipe those areas, leave the door ajar, and run a second empty cycle if the brand’s directions say a dirty machine may need more than one.
Is a cleaner cycle the same as a regular empty wash? No. A cleaner cycle — or the hot, empty cycle your manual describes for this job — is meant to loosen residue. A quick cold wash with no cleaner will not do the same work.
Sources
- Affresh, How to Clean Your Washing Machine — monthly or every 30 cycles; tablet in the empty drum; wipe residue.
- Maytag, How to Use Affresh Washing Machine Cleaner — cycle choice and residue wipe.
- Maytag, Stop Using Vinegar to Clean Your Washing Machine — warning against pouring vinegar in the drum.
- Uproot, washer tab instructions — empty drum, tablet in the drum, hot or Clean Washer cycle, every two weeks or when odors appear.
- Tide washing machine cleaner — powder packet in an empty machine; monthly maintenance after an initial clean-out, as directed on the product.
Why does my washer smell like mildew?
A mildew smell usually means the drum, gasket, detergent drawer, or drain has stayed damp and soapy. Run a cleaning cycle as described above, leave the door ajar between loads, and wipe the door gasket on a front-loader. If the odor comes back quickly, check the drain and the rubber seal for trapped residue.
Resource Links
- https://www.affresh.com/knowledge-hub/how-to-clean-your-washer/
- https://www.maytag.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/how-to-use-affresh-washing-machine-cleaner.html
- https://www.maytag.com/blog/washers-and-dryers/stop-cleaning-washing-machine-with-vinegar.html
- https://uprootclean.com/pages/washer-tabs-instructions
- https://tide.com/en-us/shop/type/washing-machine-cleaner/tide-washing-machine-cleaner
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