A sparkling clean washing machine drum with droplets of water, illustrating the effectiveness of affresh® cleaning products.

How to Sanitize a Washing Machine

With regular use, detergent residue, bacteria and even mold can accumulate inside your washer and impact its cleaning performance. Sanitizing your washing machine on a regular basis is imperative to keeping your appliance running optimally and smelling clean.

Learn more about how to sanitize your washer, what products to use and tips to keep your appliance in pristine condition.

TIME TO COMPLETE: 15-30 Minutes
ESTIMATED COST: $15-20
A person holding a dirty washing machine drain hose with visible buildup, highlighting the need for cleaning and sanitizing.

What’s the Difference Between Cleaning and Sanitizing a Washer?

Cleaning a washing machine helps remove dirt, detergent residue and other grime from your appliance. Sanitizing your washer helps reduce the amount of germs that are present throughout your washer. Sanitizing your washer is meant to be a deeper clean that helps remove harmful bacteria.

How Often Should You Sanitize Your Washing Machine?

It is recommended that you clean your washing machine once a month or every 30 wash cycles and sanitize your washer as needed. If your household experiences an illness or you are noticing a foul smell coming from your washer, your appliance should be sanitized as soon as possible to help eliminate bacteria.

Sanitizing your washing machine regularly can help remove any trapped soil, bacteria, detergent residue or mold that has accumulated in your appliance. Leaving this residue untreated can cause odors in your washer and on your clothing and can even clog parts of the washer which can impact performance.

What Products Should You Use for Sanitizing a Washing Machine?

You can use a multitude of products to sanitize your washing machine including vinegar, chlorine bleach and specialized cleaners. Always check your washing machine’s manual to ensure products are safe to use before sanitizing.

Sanitizing A Washing Machine: A Guide

How to Sanitize a Washing Machine With Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is safe to use when cleaning your front load and top load washing machine. Sanitizing a washing machine with vinegar can be done in a few simple steps to help dissolve mineral deposits and detergent buildup and remove odors.

  1. Empty your washing machine completely before sanitizing. This will help the vinegar reach every part of the washer’s interior for a deep clean.
  2. Combine one cup of vinegar with one cup of water to create a balanced cleaning solution. Add the vinegar solution into your washer’s detergent compartment or directly into the drum.
  3. Select the hottest water temperature setting and run a full wash cycle. The combination of hot water and vinegar can help break down mineral deposits and detergent residue.
  4. After sanitizing, run a normal wash cycle or a clean washer cycle in its entirety to make sure all of the cleaning solution is rinsed out.
A glass bottle filled with vinegar being held in front of a washing machine for use in sanitization.
A person pouring liquid bleach into the detergent cup to sanitize a washing machine.

How to Sanitize a Washing Machine with Bleach

Using chlorine bleach to sanitize your washing machine can be a simple and effective way to ensure your appliance is free of detergent buildup and odor-causing residues. Here are a few steps to follow when sanitizing your washer with bleach.

  1. Empty your washing machine and add 1 cup of chlorine bleach to your washer’s drum. Select the hottest water temperature available on your washer and then run a full wash cycle.
  2. After your cycle is finished, check the interior of your washer, the rubber seals and gaskets and any other parts of the washer for signs of buildup or residue.
  3. If you spot any residual buildup, combine ¼ cup chlorine bleach and 1 quart of water to create a cleaning solution that can be used to deep clean those areas with a soft-bristled brush. Remember to always wear gloves when cleaning with chlorine bleach to protect your hands.
  4. Run one last full wash cycle to ensure all of the bleach is removed before using your appliance.

How to Deep Clean a Washer with affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner

If your appliance doesn’t need to be sanitized and you’re looking to simply clean your washing machine, affresh® washing machine cleaner is a great product to use to help get the job done efficiently. Since affresh® washer tablets are made with ingredients formulated to help remove odor-causing residues, they are great for deep cleaning your washer.

Cleaning your washer with an affresh® tablet can be done in just a few steps.

  1. Remove any clothing or other items from your washing machine. Place one affresh® washing machine cleaner tablet into your appliance. Do not place the tablet in your washer’s detergent dispenser.
  2. Select the hottest water temperature setting available on your washer and run a full wash cycle. During the wash cycle, affresh® tablets work to remove odor-causing residues and deep clean your washing machine.
  3. Since the tablets are time-release, residue will sometimes remain in the bottom of the washer’s tub after the cycle is complete. Wipe away any residue that remains with a clean microfiber cloth.
A person dropping an affresh® washing machine cleaner tablet into a washing machine drum for deep cleaning.

Tips for Sanitizing a Washing Machine

Maintaining a clean, great-smelling washing machine can be simple if you stick to a normal sanitizing routine. Here are some tips to help keep your washing machine performing optimally.

  1. Remove wet laundry from the washer as quickly as possible to help prevent mold, mildew and other residue from accumulating.
  2. Regularly clean your washing machine, once a month or after every 30 washes, to help keep buildup and odors at bay.
  3. Wipe down the gaskets and door seal after every wash to remove excess water from accumulating in those areas. Excess sitting water can lead to mold and mildew growth over time.

Explore affresh® Washing Machine Cleaner

No matter which type of washing machine you have, your appliance works hard to keep your favorite clothes clean and smelling their best. With regular maintenance and care, your washer should be able to efficiently clean all your clothing items and run optimally.

Affresh® washing machine cleaner helps clean deep inside the pump, valve, tub, drum, agitator, filter and hose of your washing machine to ensure your appliance is free from odor-causing residues and grime.