How to Clean a Top-Loading Washing Machine Because Yes

So, Your Washing Machine Smells… Funky

Let’s be real. One day you open the lid to your top-loader and get hit with a wave of musty, weird air. It’s the smell of betrayal. How is the thing that *cleans* things so… not clean?

Don’t worry — it’s way easier than it looks to fix this. We’re going to give your machine a deep clean that will seriously help remove washing machine odor and get it running like new. No fancy products required.

You’ve got this. Let’s make that washer sparkle.

 

 

Step 1: Grab Your Cleaning Crew

You don’t need to buy any special cleaners. I bet you have everything you need right under your sink.

Go grab these four things:

• 4 cups of plain white vinegar
• 1 cup of baking soda
• A microfiber cloth or sponge
• An old toothbrush (for the stubborn spots)

That’s it! See? Simple.

 

 

Step 2: The Vinegar Hot Tub Party

First, we’re going to use vinegar to break down all that gross soap scum and mineral buildup. It’s like a detox for your washer drum.

 

 

How to do it:

Set your washer to its hottest, largest, and longest setting. Don’t add any clothes! This is a solo mission for your machine.

Once the tub starts to fill with hot water, pour in the 4 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum. Close the lid and let it run a complete cycle.

Your laundry room might smell like a giant pickle for an hour, but trust the process. It’s dissolving all the gunk you can’t see.

 

 

Step 3: The Baking Soda Refresh

Vinegar did the heavy lifting, and now baking soda is coming in to neutralize any leftover smells and scrub away the gunk the vinegar loosened.

 

 

Here’s the plan:

Run the exact same cycle again — hottest water, largest load setting. But this time, add the cup of baking soda to the drum as it fills.

Let it run through the whole cycle. This one-two punch is the secret to really remove washing machine odor instead of just masking it.

 

 

Step 4: Wipe Down the Nooks and Crannies

The inside might be sparkling, but don’t forget the details. This is where mildew and detergent gunk love to hide.

Mix a little vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle or a small bowl. Dip your microfiber cloth in it and wipe down the lid (inside and out), the rim of the machine, and all around the top edge.

Now, grab that old toothbrush. Use it to scrub the fabric softener and bleach dispensers. I promise you, there’s some weirdly colored sludge in there. Pop them out if you can and give them a good rinse.

The trick nobody tells you is to gently scrub around the base of the agitator (the big spindle in the middle). So much lint and grime gets trapped there.

 

 

Tips to Keep Your Washer Smelling Fresh

Okay, you did the hard part! Now let’s keep it that way. Doing a little washing machine care regularly means you won’t have to deep clean as often.

First, always leave the lid open between washes. This lets the drum air out completely and stops that damp, musty environment where mold and mildew thrive. It’s the easiest thing you can do.

Second, use the right amount of detergent. Most people, especially with modern HE detergents, use way too much. Excess soap doesn’t get rinsed away and becomes food for odor-causing bacteria. Read the label—you probably need less than you think.

I recommend doing this full vinegar-and-baking-soda cleaning routine every two or three months. If you have a big family and do laundry constantly, maybe once a month. It’s been the best method I’ve found since I got my new machine back in 2026.

 

 

You’re All Done!

That’s it! Your machine is now officially cleaner than it’s been in a long, long time. No more funky odors, just a happy washer ready to do its job.

Your clothes will even come out smelling fresher. Go ahead, take a whiff. It’s the smell of victory.