How To Clean An HE Washing Machine

There are many areas of your HE washer that are prone to mold growth. If you are experiencing an odor coming from your HE washing machine, it may be time for a thorough cleaning. We will show you the most likely areas on your high efficiency washer that are prone to mold and mildew. We will also give you some tips to clean your washer and prevent that bad smell from returning.

HE washer has odor

Why Does My Washer Have An Odor?
You may be using the wrong type of detergent. The wrong detergent will over sud (to many soap bubbles) and add moisture in hidden areas causing mold or mildew that you may not be able to see. You need to use an HE detergent with any HE washer.

You may be using too much detergent. Too much detergent will cause excess soap bubbles. This may add extra moisture in certain areas that will promote mold growth.

Your washer is located in a humid area. If your washer is located in a garage or anywhere that may be hot and humid with no air conditioning in the room, mold will grow. This means that the areas inside the washer that get wet will not fully dry. If your washer is located in a humid or “wet” area, it is best to add a small fan near it to circulate air and promote evaporation.

Wash temperature water is too low. If you wash your clothes in “cold water” mode, this may promote mold growth as no hot water is running through the machine to dissolve and drain away mold.

You leave the door and detergent dispenser closed. After each wash, it is best to leave the door and soap dispenser open for a couple hours to let them air dry. If the door and dispenser is closed when still wet, mold or mildew can grow.

Your detergent tray has never been cleaned. Periodically you need to remove the complete detergent tray and soak it in your sink with hot water. The dispenser comes out by opening it, then pressing a button toward the back and gently pulling.

There may be a slight leak under or behind your washer. A small leak may not be noticed. This can cause mold or mildew growth under, behind, and on the bottom of your washer. Pull machine out from the wall and check for water on the floor.

The door seal has never been cleaned. Make sure you clean the washer door seal especially paying attention to the bottom area. Pull the seal slightly back and wipe up any water or moisture that is present.

The filter has never been cleaned out. Your washer should have a filter located on it to catch gunk before it enters the pump. See your owners manual or Google your washer and model number to find location and how to access it.


How It Works: Front Load Washer

How An HE Washer Works
The new HE machines are not like the traditional agitator washers. Most HE washers use a “tumbling” system. On HE washers, there is no “back and forth” agitator. Since these HE wash systems are designed to be so efficient they use way less water to do the same job. With less water, HE washers can wash larger loads than most traditional washers.

clean he washer


How Do I Clean Front-Loading Washing Machines? : Home Cleaning

How To Clean An HE Washer?
Method 1 – Your washer should have a “clean” mode. Run the washer on clean mode with the hottest possible water setting. Add vinegar if desired.

Method 2 – You can clean out the inner workings of the washer. Add one cup of bleach to your washer and run on the longest possible cycle and with hot water.

Method 3 – If mold or mildew is present on the door seal or elsewhere, use a toothbrush and bleach mixture to scrub it away. You can also use vinegar, borax, lemon juice, or baking soda depending on your preference.

mold in washing machine

Method 4 – Wipe out the inner tub, door seal, and detergent dispenser. Use a bleach mixture and wipe down basically everywhere you can see. Inspect for obvious signs of mold or mildew and concentrate on those areas.

Method 5 – Use a specialty cleaner such as affresh. This cleaner has different ingredients that is perfect for cleaning HE front load washers.

how to clean a high efficiency washer

If you have other suggestions on how to clean an HE washer, please let us know by leaving a comment below.

he save waterIf you are still using a traditional top load washer,
consider your next washer to be an HE to maximize efficiency.

2 thoughts on “How To Clean An HE Washing Machine”

  1. I have a top load clothes washer with settings for deep water wash and for extra rinse. Every time I would walk by the washer I would notice an odor; enough to stick my head closer to see if I could pin-point it. The odor smelled almost like a wet rag that had been buried in dirt and then dug up.I tried washing the clothes washer by running an empty load with bleach, (deep water wash and extra rinse), then I tried vinegar. It barely helped lessen the odor. So I took it upon my self to “seek-and-destroy” this odor.
    I started by disconnecting the electrical connection and then I removed the screws that secure the large back panel. I removed the back panel of the machine to reveal the “plastic drum” that the wash water is held and drained in. I then took a bright light (flashlight works best) and shined it from inside the washer drum while looking at plastic drum from the back side of the washer. I was able to see all kinds of shadows in the form of dark streaks, spots and blotches. Other areas of the “plastic drum” seemed clear. Something was on the drum and it didn’t belong!
    Apparently these dark areas were caused by many years of use without a cleaning every-now-and-then. The dark stuff turned out to be mold, dirt, old detergent, and quite frankly just “gunk”. I personally removed the innner metal drum and scrubbed it inside and out. Then did the same with the inner drum.Yuck! ; but no more odor!
    I’m sure they make a chemical to use on a regular basis to prevent this odoriferous “gunk” , I would definitely recommend using it.

  2. McKayla Strauss

    I haven’t noticed any kind of strange smell coming from my washer, but it’s good to know that some high efficiency washers are prone to mold growth. That’s something that I’ll have pay close attention to in the future. Hopefully I won’t need to do any kind of thorough cleaning to remove mold or mildew from it while I’ve got it.

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