You have been using your top-loading washing machine for years, and you have not cleaned it. Did you know that you should be cleaning your top-loading washing machine? But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. In this article, you will learn how to deep clean your top-loading washing machine inside and out. So with no further ado, let’s dive right in.
Why Is My Top-Load Washer Smelling Bad?
It sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? The machine that washes your clothes needs to be washed itself! Over time, laundry detergent, fabric softeners, body oils, pet hair, and hard water minerals build up inside the inner tub, under the center agitator, and inside all those hidden nooks. This creates sticky soap scum and a damp environment where musty mold, mildew, and bacteria thrive.
If you notice a funky odor on your freshly washed clothes or see dark spots of grime transferring onto your bright whites, that is a clear sign your machine is crying out for a deep cleaning session.
Where Does the Black Gunk in a Washing Machine Come From?
The black gunk inside your washer is a combination of leftover detergent, liquid fabric softener, dead skin cells, and body oils that trap moisture and turn into mold or mildew. Over time, this buildup flakes off the outer tub wall and transfers onto your clean clothes.
What Do I Need to Clean My Top-Loading Washing Machine?
Before getting started, gather a few basic supplies you likely already have sitting in your pantry. You don’t need fancy tools or expensive specialized cleaner tablets to get incredible, sparkling results.
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Distilled White Vinegar: Breaks down stubborn detergent buildup, cuts through thick soap scum, and kills lingering odor-causing bacteria naturally.
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Baking Soda: Acts as a gentle abrasive to lift stuck-on grime and completely neutralize lingering odors inside the drum.
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Microfiber Cloths: Perfect for wiping down surfaces and catching loose dirt without leaving lint behind.
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An Old Toothbrush: Essential for scrubbing tight crevices, dispenser drawers, and around the inner lid rim.
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WD-40: For polishing the exterior cabinet.
(Safety tip: If you prefer using liquid chlorine bleach instead of vinegar to sanitize your drum, never mix bleach and vinegar together during the same cleanup, as combining them creates harmful fumes!)
How to Deep Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Step 1: Set the washer to the Longest and Hottest Cycle. Start with a completely empty washing machine. Turn your washer dials to the absolute hottest water setting, the largest load size, and the longest heavy-duty wash cycle available. If your washer has a dedicated “Tub Clean” or “Clean Washer” cycle button, go ahead and select that option.
Step 2: Fill the Drum with Hot Water and Add White Vinegar. Let the machine fill up with hot water. Once the tub is full, pause the cycle. Pour 4 cups (1 quart) of distilled white vinegar directly into the water. Close the lid and let the agitator swish around for 1 to 2 minutes so the vinegar mixes evenly throughout the entire tub.
Step 3: Pause the Machine and Let It Soak. Open the lid to pause the machine and let that hot vinegar solution sit right there in the drum for 45 minutes to a full hour. This soaking phase does the absolute heaviest lifting for you—it softens years of caked-on soap scum, hard water scale, and gunk hiding underneath the inner drum where you can’t see it.
Step 4: Clean the Dispensers and Rim While It Soaks. While the washer sits and soaks, take advantage of the downtime to tackle the detail work:
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Detergent and Fabric Softener Dispensers: Remove the dispenser trays if your model pops out easily, give them a quick soak in warm soapy water, and scrub away dried residue with your old toothbrush.
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The Upper Rim & Agitator: Dip your toothbrush or microfiber cloth straight into the hot vinegar water sitting in the drum. Scrub around the top edge of the tub, under the lip of the lid, around the hinges, and at the base of the center agitator post where grime loves to collect.
Step 5: Finish the Wash and Rinse Cycle. Close the lid and unpause your machine. Let it complete the full agitation, drain, and spin cycle to flush away all the loosened grime.
Step 6: Run a Second Hot Cycle with Baking Soda. Once the vinegar cycle finishes completely, fill the tub with hot water one more time on the largest load setting. Pour 1 cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Let the washer run through a complete cycle. The baking soda neutralizes any remaining vinegar scent and scours away any leftover broken-down debris.
Step 7: Clean the Exterior of Your Washer. While that second cycle is running, wipe down the outside cabinet. Spray a microfiber cloth with a bit of warm water, then mist with a small amount of WD-40 and wipe down the lid, control panel dials, buttons, and side panels. Dust, laundry powder, and lint accumulate fast on top of the machine, so giving it a quick polish makes the whole laundry room feel fresh and clean.
How Often Should You Deep Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine?
The ideal schedule for deep cleaning a top-load washer is once every month. If you run heavy laundry loads daily, wash muddy clothes frequently, or live in an area with hard water, cleaning it every 3 to 4 weeks keeps soap scum from building up and prevents bad odors from ever taking over your laundry room.
Simple Habits to Keep Your Machine Fresh Between Deep Cleans
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Leave the lid open: After finishing your last load of laundry for the day, leave the top lid propped open for an hour or two, so the drum dries out completely instead of trapping moisture.
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Use less detergent: Excess liquid soap doesn’t rinse away completely; it settles on the hidden outer walls of your washer tub and builds up into slimy soap scum. Stick closely to the recommended amount on your detergent bottle.
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Skip excessive liquid fabric softener: Liquid softeners leave a waxy coating on the inside of your drum that catches lint and breeds sour smells.
You May Ask…
Can You Clean a Washing Machine with Bleach and Vinegar at the Same Time?
No, you should never mix bleach and vinegar together. Combining them creates hazardous chlorine gas fumes. If you want to use bleach to sanitize your washer, run a complete hot cycle with bleach alone, run a rinse cycle, and then run a separate cycle with vinegar later.
How Do You Clean a Top-Load Washer Without an Agitator?
Cleaning an impeller (no-agitator) washer uses the exact same vinegar and baking soda method. Fill the open wash drum with hot water, add 4 cups of white vinegar, and let it soak for one hour. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the flat impeller plate at the bottom and the surrounding rim before running the rinse cycle.
Summary:
| Cleaning Task | Primary Ingredient | How Often |
| Deep Tub Clean | 4 cups Distilled White Vinegar | Once a month |
| Deodorize & Scour | 1 cup Baking Soda | Once a month |
| Rim & Agitator Scrub | Vinegar + Old Toothbrush | As needed |
| Exterior Wipe Down | Warm Water + Microfiber Cloth | Weekly |
Wrapping Up
Taking just a little bit of time out of your weekend to deep clean your top-loading washing machine makes a huge difference in how clean your clothes look, feel, and smell. Plus, keeping the drum and pumps free of soap buildup helps your washer run smoothly and efficiently for years to come. Give this simple vinegar and baking soda method a try today, and enjoy truly fresh, clean laundry again! Happy cleaning!