How to Clean Front Load Washing Machine | Prevent Odor

Guide / By

Run the washer’s Clean Washer cycle with an approved cleaner, then wipe the gasket and leave the door open to dry.

A front load washing machine develops musty odors when moisture and detergent residue collect in the rubber door gasket. The fix for a smelly washer is a monthly cleaning routine that takes about an hour, and Whirlpool’s own instructions make it straightforward. Here’s the exact process, step by step, plus what to avoid so you don’t damage the machine.

What You Need to Clean a Front Load Washer

Gather two things before you start: an approved washing machine cleaner and a clean cloth. Whirlpool explicitly allows affresh® washer cleaner, liquid chlorine bleach (on models that permit it), or another washing machine cleaning product. Check your owner’s manual to confirm which products your specific model allows.

Skip thickened, easy-pour, or no-splash bleach — Whirlpool warns these can cause excessive suds that damage the machine. You’ll also want a small brush or old toothbrush for the gasket’s inner lip, where grime hides.

For detergent recommendations that work well with front loaders, see our tested roundup of detergents for front load washing machines.

The Cleaning Cycle: Step by Step

Start with an empty washer. Do not add laundry, detergent, or any other chemicals during the cleaning cycle. Place the recommended cleaner in the detergent dispenser or directly in the tub, depending on what the product label instructs.

  1. Close the door firmly.
  2. Select the Clean Washer cycle on the dial or touchpad.
  3. Optional: choose FanFresh®, TumbleFresh™, Fresh Hold®, or Fresh Spin™ to help dry the drum afterward.
  4. Press and hold Start/Pause until the cycle begins.

Do not interrupt the cycle once it starts. On steam models, the first part of the Clean Washer cycle may activate the steamer without drum spin or water fill — that’s normal, and condensation on the door window is expected. Let the cycle finish completely.

Wiping Down the Gasket and Dispenser

After the cycle ends, open the door and wipe the rubber door gasket and the interior door window with a clean cloth. Pay special attention to the gasket’s inside lip — the fold where water pools — because that’s where mold and buildup collect first.

Next, clean the detergent dispenser. If it’s removable, take it out, soak it in hot water, rinse it, and dry it completely before replacing it. If it’s fixed, wipe it thoroughly with a damp cloth. Some models remember the last extra-drying option selected, so check that the setting you want is active for the next load.

Finally, leave the door open slightly after every wash. Whirlpool’s guidance is straightforward: an open door allows the interior to dry and ventilate, which prevents the odors that brought you here in the first place. Many front loaders also have a small drain filter near the bottom front — check your manual, since it may need periodic cleaning too.

How Often to Clean a Front Load Washer

Whirlpool gives two schedules. The cycle guide that ships with front loaders recommends running the Clean Washer cycle every 30 washes to keep the tub fresh. The product help documentation suggests a monthly cleaning cycle to maintain freshness and prevent odors. Either schedule works — pick the one that fits your household’s laundry volume.

If your washer gets heavy use or you live in a humid climate, lean toward monthly.

Whirlpool’s official cleaning instructions for front load washers cover the same steps and schedules, with model-specific notes.

FAQs

Can I use vinegar to clean my front load washer?

Vinegar is popular, but Whirlpool’s guidance recommends using only cleaning products the manual explicitly allows — affresh®, liquid chlorine bleach on compatible models, or another approved washer cleaner. Vinegar can damage rubber seals over time, so stick with an approved product.

Why does my front load washer still smell after cleaning?

A lingering odor usually means moisture is trapped somewhere. Check the gasket’s inner lip, the detergent dispenser, and the drain filter — all three collect residue that a cleaning cycle alone won’t remove. Wipe them all, then leave the door open for a full day to dry completely.

Is bleach safe for every front load washer?

No. Bleach is only safe if your model’s documentation specifically allows it. Whirlpool permits liquid chlorine bleach on some models but warns against thickened or no-splash varieties, which create excess suds. When in doubt, use affresh® or another cleaner labeled safe for front loaders.

References & Sources

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