To clean a top loading washing machine, run a hot cleaning cycle (with vinegar or a washer cleaner) and then manually scrub and dry the key grime‑collecting areas like the drum, dispensers, and lid area. Doing this every 1–3 months keeps odors, mold, and residue from building up.

Quick Scoop

  • Aim to deep‑clean your top loader every 1–3 months depending on how often you use it and how hard your water is.
  • Use either a commercial washer cleaner tablet or common household products like white vinegar, baking soda, and mild dish soap (never mix vinegar with bleach).
  • Always check your machine’s manual before using any chemical and keep the lid open after cleaning to let the washer dry out and prevent mold.

What You’ll Need

Most guides and pros suggest gathering a small cleaning kit first.

  • White vinegar (for deodorizing and dissolving mineral buildup).
  • Baking soda (helps with odors and mild residue).
  • Optional: washer cleaning tablets (like affresh‑type products designed for machines).
  • Mild dish soap (mainly for the exterior and removable parts).
  • Microfiber cloths (soft and non‑abrasive for wiping inside and out).
  • Old toothbrush or small brush (for crevices, dispensers, around the lid and agitator).

Safety note: Never mix bleach with vinegar or other acids; this can create dangerous fumes.

Step‑by‑Step Deep Clean

This combines common “vinegar + baking soda” methods with manufacturer‑style advice for a top loader.

  1. Empty and prep the washer
    • Remove all clothes and check the drum and dispensers for stray items or detergent pods.
 * If your model has a “clean washer” or “tub clean” cycle, plan to use it on the hottest, longest setting.
  1. Clean the exterior first
    • Mix warm water with a drop of dish soap and wipe the top, sides, lid, knobs and control panel using a microfiber cloth.
 * Focus on buttons, dials, and lid edges, which collect oils and dust.
  1. Fill with hot water
    • Set the washer to the largest load, hottest water, and longest cycle; let it fill completely, then pause before agitation.
  1. Add your cleaning agent (pick one approach):
    • Vinegar method: Add 2–4 cups of white vinegar directly into the tub (not the dispenser) to help dissolve soap scum and kill odor‑causing bacteria.
 * **Washer cleaner tablet method:** Drop the tablet into the empty drum and follow package directions using the hot, long cycle.

 * **Bleach method (for serious mold/mildew, if allowed in your manual):** Use manufacturer‑recommended bleach amounts in hot water, then rinse thoroughly afterward.
  1. Let it agitate briefly, then soak
    • Run the machine for a few minutes so the cleaner disperses, then pause the cycle and let it sit for 30–60 minutes to loosen buildup.
  1. Scrub while it soaks
    • Use your vinegar solution or warm soapy water with a toothbrush/cloth to scrub:
      • Under the lid and the rim of the tub.
   * Around and under the agitator if accessible.

   * Inside and around dispensers (fabric softener, bleach, detergent).

 * If dispensers are removable, take them out, soak in warm water (optionally with a bit of vinegar), scrub, rinse, and reinstall.
  1. Finish the cycle
    • After scrubbing, close the lid and let the cycle finish so all loosened grime and cleaner are rinsed away.
  1. Optional baking soda rinse
    • If odors persist, run another hot cycle with about 1 cup of baking soda in the tub to neutralize remaining smells.
  1. Clean the lint filter (if present)
    • Some top loaders have a lint filter in or under the agitator, or near the tub rim; check your manual.
 * Remove, wipe away lint, soak in warm water (with mild soap or light vinegar solution if needed), rinse, dry, and replace.
  1. Final wipe and dry‑out * Wipe any remaining splashes on the drum and lid area with a clean microfiber cloth.
 * Leave the lid open for several hours so the interior dries completely, which helps prevent mold and that “washer stink.”

How Often & Extra Tips

  • Many guides recommend cleaning the inside of a frequently used top loader about once a month; lighter use can stretch to every 2–3 months.
  • Clean dispensers and the exterior at least monthly so buildup and mold never get a foothold.
  • If you have hard water, consider cleaning more often (every 1–3 months) because mineral deposits accumulate faster.
  • Avoid overusing detergent: extra soap often equals more residue and a grimy washer.

Common Forum‑Style Advice

People in cleaning forums tend to repeat a few “golden rules” for keeping a top loader fresh.

  • Always keep the lid cracked open between washes so moisture can escape instead of feeding mold.
  • Periodically inspect the fabric softener dispenser and agitator cavity for hidden black spots or slime and scrub them out.
  • When in doubt about odd filters or hidden parts, search your washer’s model + “user manual” online; many manuals are free PDFs.

TL;DR: Run a hot, long cycle with a washer cleaner or vinegar, pause to soak, scrub the rim/agitator/dispensers, then rinse again and leave the lid open to dry.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.