Washing Machine Care: How to Clean It at Home

Here's a paradox most people never notice: a washing machine that is used every day gets dirty itself surprisingly quickly. Limescale, laundry detergent residue, microorganisms, odours — all of this builds up deep inside the machine and gradually makes your wash results worse. Some people battle a "bad" laundry detergent for years without suspecting that the problem isn't the detergent at all, but the machine itself. In this article: a practical maintenance guide — what to clean, when and how.

Why your washing machine needs maintenance

There are several places in a washing machine where "dirt" builds up:

• The drum — the inner cylinder where your clothes tumble. Limescale, detergent residue and grease from clothing collect on it.
• The detergent drawer — liquid laundry detergent and fabric softener dry out here and leave residue.
• The door seal — the rubber gasket around the door (on front-loading machines), where water, sludge and hair often collect.
• The filter — the protective filter by the drain pump, which catches coins, hair and buttons.
• Pipes and the inlet hose — internal pipes that you usually can't see.

The longer these areas go uncleaned, the more residue, bacteria and odours find their way back into your clothes.

Signs your washing machine needs cleaning

Look out for these signals:

• Clothes smell "musty" after washing — bacteria and microbes in the drum
• A dark, black mark on the rubber seal — mould
• White residue on dark clothes — undissolved detergent residue from the detergent drawer
• Clothes feel "under-rinsed" — limescale in the drum
• More vibration than before — the drum is unbalanced due to build-up
• Slower draining — a clogged filter or drain pipe
• The machine itself smells unpleasant when the door is open

Even if you don't notice any of these signs, monthly maintenance is still worthwhile — prevention is better than fixing problems later.

Monthly maintenance (15 min, once a month)

1. An empty hot wash

Run the machine empty on a 90 °C programme. Add:

• 200 ml of white vinegar (NOT balsamic) to the main detergent compartment
• Or 100 g of soda directly into the drum

These ingredients break down limescale, neutralise odours and remove some of the bacteria. The high temperature provides extra disinfection.

2. Cleaning the detergent drawer

1. Pull out the detergent drawer (most can be removed by pressing a release button)
2. Soak it in warm water with a little laundry detergent for 30 min
3. Scrub it with an old toothbrush, paying particular attention to the corners
4. Rinse and wait until it is completely dry
5. Slide it back in

3. Cleaning the door seal

Especially important on front-loading machines:

1. Pull back the seal around the door
2. Wipe it with cloths dampened with a white vinegar solution (1:1 with water)
3. Pay particular attention to the bottom section, where water collects
4. Leave the door open after every wash to let air circulate

Quarterly maintenance (every 3 months)

Cleaning the filter

The filter is usually at the bottom, behind a small cover. To prepare:

1. Lay a towel under the machine (to catch water)
2. Unscrew the cap and slowly drain the water (have a container ready)
3. Remove the filter
4. Clear out any sludge, hair, buttons and coins
5. Rinse under warm water and scrub with a brush
6. Put it back and screw it in firmly

It may sound like a technical job, but for most people it takes about 10 minutes. The filter usually holds a year's worth of dirt — you'll be surprised how much is in there.

Commercial washing machine cleaner

Every 3 months you can use a dedicated washing machine cleaner (e.g. Calgon Hygiene+ or similar) — these contain strong bleaching agents and antifungal components that remove heavier limescale deposits and bacteria that a vinegar / soda mix can't reach.

Yearly maintenance

Checking the inlet hose

The inlet hose has an internal filter — a mesh that protects against rust from the supply pipe. It can become clogged:

1. Turn off the water supply (the tap)
2. Unscrew the hose from the back of the machine
3. Pull out the filter with tweezers
4. Rinse under water and clean with a brush
5. Put it back and screw the hose on again

Professional servicing

Every 2-3 years it's worth calling in an engineer, who will:

• Check the internal pipes you can't reach at home
• Lubricate the bearings (less vibration, longer lifespan)
• Replace seals if needed
• Provide a general inspection report

Your options vs common advice

Vinegar vs commercial cleaner — which is better?

The practical answer: both. Vinegar is one of the best budget solutions for monthly cleaning. A commercial cleaner is better for a quarterly "deep" clean, as it contains bleaching agents. Given water hardness in Lithuania (medium to hard), vinegar is enough in 75-80% of cases.

Soda vs washing soda

Washing soda (sodium carbonate, "white soda") is stronger and better suited to stubborn problems. Household baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is gentler, but sufficient for routine maintenance. In Lithuania these terms are often confused — if in doubt, buy "soda for cleaning washing machines".

Citric acid

An alternative to vinegar is citric acid. Add 100 g of citric acid to the machine and run a 90 °C programme. It works much like vinegar, but without the vinegar smell. It's cheaper than a commercial cleaner.

On the laundry side — what you can do

Preventing most washing machine problems comes down to how you use the machine day to day:

• Dose correctly — too much laundry detergent leaves residue. Find out more in our article on dosing.
• Wash at lower temperatures — but once a month run a 60-90 °C cycle with vinegar to "kill off" the bacteria that build up during cold washes.
• Leave the door open after washing — let the machine dry out
• Don't leave damp clothes in the drum — odours and bacteria develop quickly
• Use a water-softening filter if your water is very hard — it reduces limescale build-up

Frequently asked questions

Do I need special washing machine cleaning products?

Not necessarily. Vinegar + soda + regular cleaning is enough for 75-80% of households. Specialist products are worth using if your water is very hard, you've skipped cleaning for several months, or mould has appeared.

Is a 90 °C programme bad for the washing machine?

No, as long as the machine is in good condition. A 90 °C cycle once a month is recommended — it disinfects the inside. And if you wash cold every day (which is great for saving electricity), a hot cycle helps keep the machine clean.

Why does my new washing machine already smell bad after a year?

Usually for one of three reasons: 1) too much laundry detergent (residue), 2) washing only at low temperatures (bacteria), 3) closing the door after washing (moisture). If you change these habits and run the monthly maintenance cycle, the smell should disappear within 1-2 months.

Does cleaning the washing machine affect my clothes?

Not directly, but indirectly — yes. A clean machine rinses clothes better, leaving less residue in the fibres and fewer bacteria on the fabric. Some cases of skin irritation start to clear up simply after cleaning the washing machine.

How long does a washing machine last?

On average 8-12 years. With good care — up to 15. Without maintenance — 5-7 years before serious problems set in.

Summary

Washing machine care takes about 30 minutes a month and 1 hour a quarter — but that time pays you back with better wash results, a longer machine life and lower electricity use (a clean machine runs more efficiently). The key rules: a hot empty cycle with vinegar every month, cleaning the filter every quarter, and a professional check-up every year. Plus — correct dosing day to day (so residue doesn't build up).