If opening the door greets you with a damp smell, or your laundry doesn't come out as fresh as it used to, your appliance is asking for a service. Knowing how to clean a washing machine is simpler than it looks and it makes a real difference: it clears bad smells, flushes out built-up detergent residue and extends the life of the machine. In this guide we'll show you, step by step, how to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda, two cheap allies almost everyone has at home.
Why washing machines build up dirt and odour
Even though its job is washing, the machine gets dirty too. With every cycle, traces of detergent, fabric softener, lint, limescale from the water and moisture get trapped inside. That mixture settles in the drum, in the drawer and above all in the rubber door seal, where it finds the perfect conditions for mould and bacteria. The result is that shut-in smell that then transfers to freshly washed clothes.
Washing cold most of the time and keeping the door shut makes it worse, because the water never gets hot enough to shift the grease and the moisture never evaporates. That's why a deep clean every month or six weeks is worth it.
How to clean a washing machine with vinegar and baking soda
This is the star method precisely because it's so cheap and effective. Vinegar disinfects and dissolves limescale, while baking soda neutralises odours and helps lift the dirt away. Follow these steps with the machine empty:
- Baking soda in the drum: tip about two tablespoons straight into the empty drum.
- Vinegar in the drawer: fill the detergent compartment with white cleaning vinegar, around 250 ml.
- Long, hot programme: run a cycle at 60 or 90 degrees, with no laundry inside. The heat boosts the disinfecting effect.
- Extra rinse: if your model allows it, add a second rinse so nothing is left behind.
With this simple routine you'll know how to clean a washing machine so it doesn't smell, and the inside will be disinfected without harsh products.
How to clean the washing machine door seal
The rubber door seal is the most overlooked spot and the one that hides the most dirt. Knowing how to clean the washing machine seal is key to tackling the smell at its source. Carefully pull apart the folds of the rubber and you'll find lint, standing water and even dark patches of mould.
Dampen a cloth in a mix of hot water and vinegar, or in water with a few drops of diluted bleach if the mould is really ingrained, and scrub every crevice. Pay particular attention to the bottom, where water pools. When you're done, dry it thoroughly with a clean cloth so no moisture is left behind.
Don't forget the drawer and the filter
The detergent drawer usually comes out completely: take it out and soak it in hot water with vinegar for a few minutes to break down the crusted softener. An old toothbrush will help you get into the corners.
The filter, behind a small flap at the bottom front, catches coins, buttons and lint. Put a shallow container underneath because water will come out, unscrew the cap, clear out the debris and rinse the filter under the tap before putting it back. Check it every two or three months.
Tips to keep it clean for longer
Once you've done the deep clean, a few simple habits stop the problem coming back:
- Leave the door ajar between washes so it can air out and dry.
- Take the drawer out now and then and let it air.
- Don't overdo the detergent or softener: the excess builds up and leaves residue.
- Run one hot wash a month, even if it's only with vinegar, to flush out the limescale.
- Take the laundry out as soon as the programme finishes; leaving it damp inside is the main cause of bad smells.
And if you'd also like organisers, baskets and accessories to keep your laundry area looking tidy, take a look at the Velia Select home products.
In summary
Keeping your washing machine clean needs neither expensive products nor much time: with vinegar, baking soda and a monthly once-over of the seal, the drawer and the filter, you'll avoid bad smells and get laundry that really does come out fresh. Give it a few minutes a month and your appliance will thank you by lasting longer and working better.