Washing machines clean clothes — but who cleans the washing machine? Neglecting drum and filter cleaning causes bad smells, black mould, reduced performance, and eventually drainage errors. This guide covers the complete cleaning process for front-load and top-load machines across all major brands.
How Often to Clean
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Drum Clean cycle | Once a month (or every 30–40 cycles) |
| Drain/pump filter clean | Every 2–3 months |
| Door seal (gasket) wipe | After every front-load wash |
| Detergent drawer clean | Once a month |
| Lint filter (top-loaders) | Every 3–4 washes |
How to Run the Drum Clean Cycle
All major washing machine brands have a dedicated drum clean programme. The process is the same across brands:
- Make sure the drum is completely empty — no clothes.
- Add your chosen cleaning agent (see below) directly into the drum (not the detergent drawer).
- Select the Drum Clean / Tub Clean / Clean Washer programme from the cycle selector.
- Press Start and let the cycle complete — do not interrupt.
- After the cycle, wipe the drum dry with a clean cloth and leave the door open for 1–2 hours.
What to Use for Drum Cleaning
- Drum cleaning tablet (recommended) — Finish, Tide, or brand-specific tablets. Use 1 tablet per cycle.
- Liquid chlorine bleach — 100–150 ml poured into the drum. Effective against mould.
- White vinegar — 250–500 ml. Good for limescale but less effective against mould bacteria.
- Baking soda — 100g in the drum + 250 ml vinegar in the drawer for light cleaning.
Do not use regular laundry detergent for Drum Clean — it creates excessive suds at high temperatures.
How to Clean the Drain Filter (Front-Load Machines)
The drain filter (pump filter) catches lint, coins, and debris before they reach the pump. A blocked filter causes slow draining, E2/5E/OE drain errors, and bad odours.
Drain Filter Location by Brand
- Samsung, Bosch, Haier, Godrej: Bottom front panel — small door or flap at the bottom right or centre of the machine
- LG: Bottom front panel behind a small rectangular cover, usually lower-left
- IFB: Bottom front panel behind a flip-down flap, lower-right
- Whirlpool: Bottom front panel — behind the service panel at the base of the machine
Steps to Clean the Drain Filter
- Turn off and unplug the machine.
- Place a shallow tray and old towels under the filter panel — residual water will spill out.
- Open the bottom panel. Pull out the small emergency drain hose if present and open its cap to drain residual water into the tray.
- Turn the filter cap counter-clockwise slowly and pull it out.
- Remove all lint, hair, coins, buttons, and debris from the filter and the housing cavity.
- Rinse the filter under tap water, check the rubber seal on the cap, and reinsert firmly.
- Tighten clockwise until snug. Close the panel and run a short cycle to test.
How to Clean the Door Seal (Front-Load Machines)
- After each wash, fold back the rubber seal and wipe the inside groove with a dry cloth — remove lint, hair, and moisture.
- Monthly, apply a small amount of diluted bleach (1:10 with water) on a cloth and wipe the seal, paying attention to the bottom section where water pools.
- If you see black mould spots, scrub gently with an old toothbrush dipped in the bleach solution.
- Rinse with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
How to Clean the Lint Filter (Top-Load Machines)
Top-loaders typically have a lint filter inside the drum — often a mesh bag or filter on the agitator or drum wall. Remove it every 3–4 washes, tap out trapped lint over a bin, and rinse under cold water. Do not use hot water as it can warp some plastic filters.
How to Clean the Detergent Drawer
- Pull the drawer fully out — press the release tab (usually in the centre compartment) and pull until it comes free.
- Rinse the drawer under warm water. Scrub each compartment with an old toothbrush.
- Wipe inside the drawer housing in the machine with a damp cloth.
- Dry and reinsert.
For more detailed IFB Tub Clean instructions, see how to run IFB Tub Clean. For hard water maintenance tips, read which washing machines work best in hard water.