How to Clean Mold From a Washing Machine

Sometimes, you have to clean the machine that cleans

A young man loading a washing machine
Photo: Westend61 / Westend61 / Getty Images
A young man loading a washing machine
Photo: Westend61 / Westend61 / Getty Images
Deane Biermeier
Written by Deane Biermeier
Contributing Writer
Updated Dec 16, 2024
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
COMPLETION TIME
1 hour
COST
Up to $25
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What you'll need:
TOOLS
  • Spray bottle
  • Medium-bristled toothbrush
  • Towel
  • Gloves
SUPPLIES
  • Chlorine bleach or distilled white vinegar
  • Small bucket

Clothes and linens should come out of the wash smelling fresh and clean. If your clothes come out smelling like mold, or if you see visible signs of mold, it's time to give your washing machine a good cleaning. This guide will show you how to clean mold from a washing machine, so your laundry smells fresh and clean. 

Prepping to Clean Mold From a Washing Machine

The first thing you need to decide when cleaning your washing machine is whether you're team vinegar or team bleach. Both will do the job of killing and removing mold. Both have a strong odor. 

Vinegar is a natural mold killer and may be slightly more effective at killing mold on porous surfaces than bleach. You also may feel more comfortable choosing vinegar over bleach if you have small children or pets at home, as vinegar fumes are less powerful and it's less toxic than bleach.

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  1. Mix Your Solution and Scrub the Gasket

    Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 2 cups of hot water in a small bucket, or mix distilled white vinegar and warm water together with a 1:1 ratio, such as one cup water and one cup vinegar. Pour the vinegar/water solution or bleach/water solution into a spray bottle.

    Spray the solution onto the rubber gasket around the washing machine door. Let the solution sit for about 15 minutes or longer if there's a lot of mold buildup.

    Use the toothbrush to scrub away the mold, then wipe with the towel.

  2. Clean the Drum and Filter

    A person cleaning a washing machine drum
    Photo: Sergiy Akhundov / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    Repeat the process, spraying the washing machine drum, filters, and the detergent dispensers with the vinegar/water or bleach/water solution. Let the solution sit, then scrub with the toothbrush and wipe with the towel to clean away the mold.

  3. Wash the Washing Machine

    Run a washing cycle using the longest cycle setting and the hottest water available. 

    Top-Loading Machine

    If you have a top-loading machine, pour either 2 cups of vinegar or 1 cup of chlorine bleach into the washing machine drum. Turn on the washer and let it run a full cycle empty.

    Front-Loading Machine

    If you have a front-loading machine, pour the 2 cups of vinegar into the detergent dispenser or the 1 cup of bleach into the bleach dispenser, then run the machine empty.

  4. Dry the Machine

    A man’s hand opening the washing machine door
    Photo: YaroslavKryuchka / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images

    Once the wash cycle is finished, open the door of the washing machine and dry the inside of the drum and around the gasket. Leave the washing machine door open to help it air out and prevent future mold growth.

Which Part of the Washing Machine Is Prone to Mold?

The most common places where mold grows are on and behind the door seal, under the agitator in top loaders, and in the detergent tray. However, mold can appear anywhere water is left standing after washing, including on the surfaces of the drum and door or lid. 

While top-loading washing machines are less prone to mold growth than front-loaders, mold remains an issue regardless of which type you have. Mold growth occurs in washing machines because of the leftover soap and water residue that remains after washing and a lack of sufficient air movement to dry it out in a timely manner. 

Preventing Mold in the Washing Machine

There are several simple steps you can perform to reduce the likelihood of mold growth in your washing machine. 

  • Remove your wet laundry from the machine shortly after you complete a load. 

  • Immediately wipe the door seal to dry it as much as possible. Also, wipe away any other standing water droplets from the lid, door, drum, or agitator.

  • Leave the door or lid and detergent tray open when the machine isn't in use.

  • Avoid using too much detergent or fabric softener for the amount of clothes in a load.

  • If necessary, run a dehumidifier to keep the humidity in the laundry room or area below 50%.

  • Periodically perform a thorough cleaning of your washing machine. 

  • Consider using a laundry additive designed to reduce mold growth.

  • Consider running an occasional hot-water cycle with added bleach or vinegar (but never both together), or run sanitary cycles from time to time if your machine offers the feature. 

DIY vs. Hiring a Pro

You can most likely tackle cleaning mold from your washing machine on your own. However, if you have a larger mold problem throughout your home, it's usually best to hire a local mold removal company. A professional mold mitigation company can remove mold from other areas of your home and give you advice on how to keep mold from coming back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Even if you don't see visible signs of mold, it's a good idea to get in the habit of cleaning your washing machine at least once a month. Detergent and dirt can build up in the machine, affecting its performance and leaving you with laundry that's less than fresh. Cleaning your machine monthly also helps to keep mold at bay.

Mold loves a moist environment, so the best way to keep it from returning is to keep your machine as dry as possible. Take laundry out of the machine as soon as you can after a cycle finishes. If your laundry room is humid, consider using a dehumidifier or at least running a fan to increase airflow.

It's also a good idea to leave the washing machine door open when it's not in use, to improve airflow and keep the interior dry.

The gasket and drum of a washing machine are ideal spots for mold to grow. They are dark, warm, and humid, conditions that mold thrives in. The products you use to wash your clothing, such as fabric softener and detergent, can also encourage growth by giving the mold a food source.

It's never a good idea to mix chemicals, particularly bleach with an acid like vinegar. Doing so can produce chlorine gas, which is lethal. Choose either vinegar or bleach–or another cleaner, then stick with using that cleaner every time you wash your washing machine.

If you do accidentally mix vinegar and bleach, open a window and leave the area immediately. Take any pets or children with you.

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Learn more about our contributor
Deane Biermeier
Written by Deane Biermeier
Contributing Writer
Deane has spent 30+ years in residential construction, contracting, remodeling, maintenance, and home repair, and now contributes DIY and educational articles for publications like Forbes Home and U.S. News. Throughout his career, he has strived to help homeowners find the potential hidden within the walls of every home and empower them to take control of their household repair and remodeling endeavors.

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