How-to
Cleaning a front-load washer and its door seal
Run the washer's tub clean cycle once a month, wipe lint and hair out of the door seal, clear the drain pump filter and the dispenser, and leave the door open to dry.
Satisfy+ Editorial · Published September 23, 2026 · 2 min read · 1 hr to do · Under $100
At a glance
- Tub clean cycle
- Once a month
- Door seal
- Wipe out lint and hair, dry it at the end of the day
- Drain pump filter
- Clean it with the monthly tub clean
- After each load
- Unload right away and leave the door open
A front-load washer can start to smell from detergent residue, from water sitting in the door seal, or from a clogged drain filter that leaves water in the drum. A monthly cleaning and a door left open to dry keep most of it from turning into mold and odor. Every model differs a little, so check your owner's manual for where the parts are and which cleaner it calls for.
What you need
- A washing machine tub cleaner, or liquid chlorine bleach if your manual allows it
- Oxygen-based bleach and a cloth
- A soft-bristle brush
- A shallow pan or short bucket, and a towel, for the drain filter
Steps
- 1
Empty the drum
Take out any clothes and anything else left in the drum.
1 min
- 2
Run the tub clean cycle
Add the tub cleaner the way its package says, in the dispenser or right in the drum, and run the tub clean cycle. Don't add detergent. If the washer already smells musty, run it once a week for 3 weeks in a row.
60 min
- 3
Wipe out the door seal
Pull back the folds of the rubber door seal and wipe out the lint, hair and residue caught in them with a cloth and oxygen-based bleach. Those can hold water and grow mold. Leave the door open to let it dry.
5 min
- 4
Clean the drain pump filter
Turn the washer off and unplug it. Open the small panel at the bottom front, put the pan under it and drain the leftover water through the short drain hose. Twist the filter out, scrub it with a soft brush in warm water, brush out the opening, and screw the filter back in until it stops turning.
15 min
- 5
Clean the detergent dispenser
Pull out the dispenser drawer, remove its inserts and scrub them and the tray with warm water and a soft brush. Clean the housing it slides into, then put it back together.
10 min
- 6
Leave it open to dry
When you're done, leave the door open so the inside can dry.
1 min
Keep the front-load washer from smelling
- Run the washer's tub clean cycle
- Clean the drain pump filter and the detergent dispenser
- Wipe the door seal with oxygen-based bleach
Between cleanings
- Unload the washer as soon as a cycle finishes.
- Leave the door open between loads.
- Use the detergent your manual calls for, in the amount it gives. The wrong detergent or amount, or detergent that doesn't fully dissolve in a cold wash, can build up and cause odor.
If the smell keeps coming back after several tub cleans, the washer needs service.
FAQ
How often should I clean a front-load washer?
Run the tub clean cycle once a month. If it already smells musty, run it once a week for 3 weeks.
Why does my front-load washer smell?
Usually detergent residue, water and lint sitting in the door seal, or a clogged drain pump filter that leaves water in the drum.
Should I leave the washer door open?
Yes. Leaving the door open after use lets the inside dry, which helps prevent odor.
Sources
Checked October 20, 2026
- LG Electronics (appliance manufacturer). How to clean the tub of your LG washing machine (2026)
- LG Electronics (appliance manufacturer). LG washer, troubleshooting odor and buildup (2026)
- Whirlpool Corporation (appliance manufacturer). Cleaning the interior, compact front load washer (2026)
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