Let’s be honest — we count on our washing machines to keep our laundry day running smoothly and our clean clothes smelling fresh. But if you’re like me, you might forget that even the washer needs a good clean now and then! Today I’m sharing my go-to DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine — it’s a simple, natural, super effective way to keep your machine sparkling without the need for commercial cleaners or harsh chemicals.

Whether you’ve got a top-loading machine, a fancy front-load washer, or an older model, this easy method will leave the inside of the machine fresh, clean, and free of bad smells.

The good news? You probably already have most of the simple ingredients at home. Plus, using natural solutions like this is so much better for the environmental impact compared to heavy commercial products.

Why You Need a DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine

Stops Funky Smells: Front-loading washers especially are known for breeding grounds of mildew thanks to leftover soap scum and detergent residue hiding in the rubber gasket and washer drum.
Keeps Clothes Truly Clean: A dirty washer can transfer dirt, mineral deposits, and leftover detergent back onto your laundry (not what we want after a good load of laundry).
Extends the Life of Your Machine: Regular deep cleaning helps keep the interior of the machine running in tip-top shape and saves you money in the long run.

If you’re all about natural cleaning, you might also love my Homemade Carpet Cleaning Solution — another favorite simple recipe for a healthier home.

DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine – Easy Clean Washer Solution

You only need a few simple ingredients — no commercial washing machine cleaners required!

Ingredients:

2 cups of plain white vinegar (or cups of vinegar)
½ cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
10 drops essential oils (like tea tree or lemon for unpleasant odors)
1 spray bottle filled with equal parts vinegar and water
1 microfiber cloth or soft cloth
1 old toothbrush or a grout cleaner brush for a good scrub

Simple Steps for Cleaning a Front-Loading Washing Machine

1. Wipe Down the Rubber Gasket:

Spray the rubber seal and door gasket with the vinegar/water mix. Use an old toothbrush to scrub away detergent residue, mold, or grime hiding in the folds. Wipe with a microfiber cloth.

2. Clean the Detergent Dispenser:

Remove the detergent drawer and scrub it in the sink with hot water and a little baking soda. This gets rid of detergent residue and fabric softener buildup.

3. Run the Cleaning Cycle:

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the detergent tray. Run the washer on the hottest water setting or hottest water cycle, using the longest cycle or deep cleaning setting.

4. Add Baking Soda for Extra Power:

After the vinegar wash cycle finishes, sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda inside the washer drum and run another hot cycle. This helps remove stubborn stains and neutralizes bad smells.

adding baking soda to washing machine drum for diy cleaner for washing machine

5. Leave the Door Open:

Always leave the washing machine door open after cleaning so the interior of the machine can dry completely, preventing funky smells from creeping back in.

leaving the door open to let everything air out

Tip: If you’re loving these natural cleaner swaps, my Homemade Hand Soap Recipe is another great way to ditch the harsh chemicals in everyday products!

DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine: Top-Loading Washing Machine

If you’ve got a top loader or top-loading washing machine, no worries — cleaning it is just as easy!

1. Fill with Hot Water:

Select the largest load size and hottest water setting.

2. Add Vinegar:

Pour 4 cups of white vinegar into the top-loading machine and run a short wash cycle. Pause it after a few minutes to let the vinegar soak the inside of the machine for an hour.

3. Scrub:

While it soaks, scrub around the detergent dispenser, dispenser drawer, and rubber gasket with your old toothbrush and vinegar spray.

4. Add Baking Soda:

After soaking, add 1 cup of baking soda and restart the clean cycle to rinse everything away.

5. Wipe and Dry:

When the cycle finishes, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down all surfaces and leave the lid open to air dry.

Want to make laundry day even more natural? Check out my Natural Laundry Detergent for a safe, effective way to tackle stains without harsh chemicals!

Why Natural Cleaning Is the Best Choice for Your DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine

There’s a lot of commercial products out there that promise to “deep clean” your washer. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize — harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach and heavy-duty detergents can actually wear down the rubber seal, hoses, and delicate parts inside your machine over time.

They might work fast, but they leave behind chemical residues inside your washer drum, detergent tray, and dispenser drawer. And when you run your next load of laundry, those residues can get onto your clothes… and onto your skin.

And if you ever end up with an oil stain during laundry day (because hey, life happens), check out my How to Get Olive Oil Out of Clothes Naturally guide! It’s full of simple, natural tricks that actually work.

Using a DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine made with natural ingredients like cups of vinegar, sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), and essential oils is not only gentler on your machine — it’s better for your health, better for your family, and better for the planet.

You’ll get a clean washing machine without worrying about leftover toxins sitting inside of it.

And let’s be honest — it smells way better too.

Common Washing Machine Problems (And Easy Natural Fixes)

Even with regular cleaning, every machine runs into hiccups sometimes.
Here’s a few common issues and natural solutions you can use without reaching for commercial cleaners:

Problem: Funky, Musty Odors
Cause: Trapped moisture and detergent residue in the rubber gasket or washer drum

Fix:

Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of plain white vinegar and ½ cup baking soda.
After every load of laundry, leave the washing machine door cracked open to allow airflow.

Problem: Soap Scum Buildup
Cause: Using too much fabric softener or laundry detergent

Fix:

Wipe the detergent dispenser, door gasket, and interior of the machine with a spray bottle mixture of vinegar and water after laundry day.
Switch to natural liquid soap or eco-friendly laundry detergent.

Problem: Hard Water Mineral Deposits
Cause: Hard water minerals accumulating around hoses, seals, and the washer drum

Fix:

Use a monthly deep cleaning routine with vinegar.
Install a water softener if your laundry room has consistent hard water issues.

Problem: Stains Around the Rubber Seal
Cause: Mold and mildew hiding in the folds of the rubber gasket

Fix:

Spray a mix of cups of vinegar + 10 drops tea tree essential oil into the folds.
Scrub gently with an old toothbrush.

P.S. If you’re dealing with skin irritation from laundry residue, make sure to check out my Best Serum for Oily Skin – DIY Easy Recipe — it’s super soothing and gentle!

Monthly Washing Machine Maintenance Checklist (Print It!)

Keeping your washer in top condition doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
Here’s an easy checklist you can follow every month (and you can totally copy it into your planner or phone!):

Wipe down the rubber gasket and door gasket
Remove and scrub the detergent tray and dispenser drawer
Run a hot water cycle with 2 cups of plain white vinegar
Follow with a rinse cycle using ½ cup of baking soda
Wipe the washer drum and washing machine door with a microfiber cloth
Leave the door open after every wash to dry out the interior of the machine
Give the detergent dispenser a quick spray with vinegar weekly
Check hoses for signs of mold, mildew, or mineral buildup

Keeping up with these simple steps will keep your machine fresh, your clothes cleaner, and your home feeling healthier!

Bonus: How to Naturally Deodorize Funky Smells Between Washes

Even with the best cleaning routine, sometimes a front-loading machine or top-loading washers can pick up a slight funky smell in between cycles — especially if you’re dealing with a humid laundry room.

Here are some natural solutions that I use and LOVE:

DIY Vinegar Spray:

Mix 1 cup white vinegar + 1 cup distilled water + 10 drops essential oils in a spray bottle.
After every wash day, lightly mist the inside of the machine and around the rubber seal.

Baking Soda Freshener:

Keep a small open container of baking soda near your washing machine door or top loader to absorb moisture and odors.

Essential Oil Cotton Ball:

Place a cotton ball with a few drops of lavender or lemon essential oil inside the detergent tray or tucked near the door gasket. It keeps your washer smelling fresh naturally!

Air Things Out:

Leave the washer door slightly ajar (just an inch!) to allow airflow through the front-load washer or top loader.

These tiny habits take only a minute but make a HUGE difference when it comes to avoiding unpleasant odors and detergent residue.

Why Regular Cleaning Matters More Than You Think

A lot of people think their washer gets cleaned automatically every time they do a load of laundry.
But honestly, a washing machine deals with a lot more than just dirt — there’s leftover soap, fabric softener, mineral deposits, detergent residue, and grime hiding in all the places you can’t see.

Without regular use of a natural diy washing machine cleaner, all that buildup becomes a breeding ground for mold, mildew, bacteria — and funky smells that just don’t go away with more detergent.

In fact, overusing laundry detergent is one of the biggest causes of dirty washers!
That extra scoop you toss in “just to be safe”? It can actually coat the washer drum, clog the dispenser drawer, and lead to stubborn stains inside the machine.

That’s why sticking to natural ingredients, gentle natural cleaners, and these easy simple steps is such a good idea for keeping your type of washer — front loader or top loader — clean, healthy, and happy.

diy cleaner for washing machine pinterest pin

FAQ – DIY Washing Machine Cleaner Questions Answered

How often should I clean my washing machine?

For best results, aim for a good cleaning cycle once a month. More often if you use your washer daily or notice unpleasant odors.

Can I use bleach instead of vinegar?

You can use a cup of bleach if you really need a heavy-duty clean, but for natural cleaners and less environmental impact, vinegar is the best way.

Can I mix vinegar and baking soda together?

Nope! They neutralize each other if mixed at the same time. That’s why we use vinegar first, then baking soda in a separate hot cycle.

Will this work for all types of washers?

Yes! Whether you have a front-loading washing machine, top-loading washers, a front loader, or a top loader, this method keeps everything fresh and clean.

Does this help prevent bad smells?

Definitely. Regular cleaning stops soap scum, leftover detergent, and mineral deposits from becoming a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Shop This Post – My Favorite Cleaning Essentials for DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine!

These are the simple, natural tools I use to keep my washing machine in tip-top shape without resorting to commercial products:

Large Spray Bottles – Perfect for Vinegar Cleaning Spray
High-Quality Microfiber Cloths – Reusable and Eco-Friendly
Pure Essential Oils – Freshen Up Naturally
Baking Soda – Always Handy for Cleaning
Old-Fashioned White Vinegar – The Secret Weapon

I personally love using these because they’re not only budget-friendly but also help me keep harsh chemicals out of my home — and off of my family’s laundry! Plus, it feels really good knowing that regular cleaning with natural solutions keeps my machine (and my home!) fresh without any added worry.

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DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine – Easy Clean Washer Solution

Today I’m sharing my go-to DIY Cleaner for Washing Machine — it’s a simple, natural, super effective way to keep your machine sparkling without the need for commercial cleaners or harsh chemicals. Whether you’ve got a top-loading machine, a fancy front-load washer, or an older model, this easy method will leave the inside of the machine fresh, clean, and free of bad smells.

Ingredients

2 cups of plain white vinegar (or cups of vinegar)
½ cup baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
10 drops essential oils (like tea tree or lemon for unpleasant odors)
1 spray bottle filled with equal parts vinegar and water
1 microfiber cloth or soft cloth
1 old toothbrush for a good scrub