How to clean a washing machine

In short

Run a hot maintenance wash with nothing in the drum, using the drum-clean programme if your machine has one. Then clean the detergent drawer, wipe the door seal, and clear the pump filter. Leave the door and drawer slightly open between washes so the machine dries out, and don’t overdose detergent.

How often

AEG recommends a maintenance wash about once a month and cleaning the detergent drawer about every two months. Many machines remind you with a symbol or a code such as LG’s tCL.

Step by step

Stop and call an engineer instead if:
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.
  • Water is leaking from inside the appliance or is near the plug or socket. Don’t touch the plug with wet hands or while standing in water. Switch off at the consumer unit instead.

Run a maintenance (drum clean) wash

  1. Empty the drum completely.
  2. Use your machine’s drum or tub clean programme if it has one. Otherwise run a hot cotton programme (60 to 90°C) with no laundry.
  3. Add a washing machine cleaner only if your manual allows it, and follow the pack instructions.
  4. After washing, leave the door and the detergent drawer slightly open so the machine can dry out.

Don’t add laundry to a maintenance wash.

Clean the detergent drawer

  1. Pull the detergent drawer out. Many have a release catch, and your manual shows where it is.
  2. Lift out any removable insert or siphon cap and rinse every compartment under warm running water.
  3. Brush out detergent and softener residue from the drawer recess in the machine, using an old toothbrush.
  4. Refit the drawer fully and run a rinse with an empty drum.

Don’t put pods or capsules in a drawer that isn’t designed for them. Put them in the drum.

Clean and inspect the door seal

  1. Open the door and wipe fluff, hair and detergent residue from the rubber seal and the edge of the door glass.
  2. Pull the folds of the seal back gently and remove anything trapped inside.
  3. Look for tears, holes or perished areas. A damaged seal needs replacing by a qualified engineer.

Clean the drain pump filter Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • Water inside can be hot after a hot wash. Wait for it to cool before opening a filter.
  • Expect water to come out. Put towels and a shallow tray or baking dish down first.
  • Never force a locked door, a stuck filter cap or a seized part. Forcing it usually causes more damage.
Where the drain pump filter usually is Filter flap bottom front, one side Shallow tray + towels drain slowly, a bit at a time Filter cap turn anticlockwise slowly Some models have a small emergency drain hose here too
Where the drain pump filter usually is. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Find the small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Your manual shows the exact location and whether there is a small emergency drain hose.
  2. With towels and a tray in place, release the water slowly, using the emergency hose if there is one, or by turning the filter cap a little at a time. Expect more water than you think, and empty the tray as often as you need to.
  3. When the water has stopped, unscrew the filter fully and remove fluff, coins, hair grips and other debris. Rinse it under the tap.
  4. Look into the opening to check the pump blade can turn freely. If you can see it, manufacturers suggest turning it gently with a pencil, never with your fingers.
  5. Refit the filter firmly in its locked position and close the flap. Check for drips the next time the machine runs.

Don’t reach in with fingers past the filter opening.

Don’t open the filter while the machine is running or the water is hot.

Problems this helps with

Sources

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We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.