How to Clean a Washing Machine and Remove Odor and Buildup
If your washing machine smells musty, looks dirty around the gasket or drum, or just does not seem as fresh as it should, it probably needs more than an extra rinse cycle.
Over time, detergent residue, grime, mineral deposits, and trapped moisture can build up inside the machine. That buildup can lead to odor, reduced cleaning performance, and a washer that never feels fully clean no matter how many loads you run.
The good news is that cleaning a washing machine is not complicated once you know what to focus on and how often to do it.
If you want a product made for the job, Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner helps tackle odor, buildup, residue, and hard water scale inside the machine.
Why washing machines get dirty
A lot of people assume a washing machine stays clean because it is always in contact with soap and water. That is not how it works in real life.
Inside the machine, buildup can come from:
- detergent residue
- fabric softener residue
- hard water minerals
- dirt from clothing
- trapped moisture
- mold- and mildew-prone grime in seals and hidden areas
That buildup can lead to:
- musty odor
- visible grime
- dull-smelling laundry
- slower drainage
- residue inside the drum or gasket
- a washer that feels dirty even after a cycle
Signs your washing machine needs cleaning
- it smells sour, musty, or damp
- you see residue around the gasket or detergent drawer
- your laundry does not smell fully clean
- there is visible grime inside the drum
- you have hard water and have not cleaned the washer recently
- it has been over a month since the last deep clean
What you need
Before you start, gather:
- Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner
- a soft cloth or sponge
- an old toothbrush or small cleaning brush
- warm water
- mild soap if needed for exterior residue
You can also browse the full Washing Machine Cleaners collection if you want related options.
Step 1: Empty the washing machine
Make sure the washer is empty. You do not want clothes in the machine while you are trying to clean residue, odor, and buildup out of it.
Step 2: Clean the detergent drawer and visible residue
If your machine has a removable detergent drawer, take it out and rinse it thoroughly.
Scrub away detergent sludge, fabric softener buildup, and mildew-prone grime. Wipe down the drawer housing too, since buildup often hides there.
Step 3: Wipe the door seal and edges
For front-load washers especially, the rubber gasket can hold trapped moisture, lint, detergent residue, and grime.
Use a cloth to wipe around the seal carefully. If needed, use a small brush for corners and folds where buildup tends to collect.
Step 4: Add the washer cleaner
Place Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner in the machine according to the product directions.
This is where you start breaking down odor-causing residue, detergent buildup, grime, mineral deposits, and hard water scale.
Step 5: Run a cleaning cycle
Run the washer on the cleaning cycle if it has one. If it does not, run the hottest, longest cycle available without laundry inside.
This helps the cleaner move through the machine and reach the internal areas where odor and residue build up.
Step 6: Wipe the drum and leave the door open
When the cycle is done, wipe out the drum and any remaining moisture. Then leave the washer door open for a while so the inside can dry properly.
That one habit alone can help reduce future odor problems.
How often should you clean a washing machine?
A good baseline is:
- quick wipe-downs: weekly
- gasket and drawer cleanup: every 1 to 2 weeks
- full washer-cleaning cycle: about once a month
If you do a lot of laundry or have hard water, more frequent cleaning may help.
Why washing machines start to smell
Washer odor usually comes from a combination of trapped moisture, detergent buildup, grime, mildew-prone residue, and hard water deposits.
That is why simply running more laundry does not fix the problem. The machine itself has to be cleaned.
Final takeaway
If your washer smells bad or never feels fully clean, the problem is usually buildup inside the machine, not just dirty clothes.
A regular cleaning routine helps remove odor, break down residue, reduce grime, improve washer freshness, and keep the machine working better over time.
If you want a product made for the job, start with Renuv Washing Machine Cleaner or browse the full Washing Machine Cleaners collection.