How to Clean a Washing Machine (Front Loader and Top Loader)
Wipe the door seal, scrub the drawer, clear the filter, then run a hot empty cycle. Front and top loaders, brand by brand, when vinegar is allowed, and smell fixes.
Read the guideCleaning 101.
A little know-how. More room for life.
Laundry & fabric care
Laundry guides: the machine, the room and the clothes
Laundry guides cover two different jobs. One is looking after the machine and the room it lives in, which is where musty smells and residue on clean washing usually start. The other is getting marks out of clothes and shoes. Start with the machine if your washing comes out smelling wrong; go to the stain guides when something has just been spilt.
16 guides · Edited by Huy Hoang · Updated
FIND YOUR PROBLEM
Find the problem
Start from what you can see. For stains on carpet, couches and mattresses, see Stains.
| What you’re seeing | The guide for it |
|---|---|
| Washing smells musty after a wash | How to Clean a Washing Machine (Front Loader and Top Loader) |
| Grime or black spots in the door seal folds | How to Clean a Washing Machine (Front Loader and Top Loader) |
| Grease or oil on clothes, fresh or already dried | How to Get Oil Stains Out of Clothes — Fresh, Set-In and Already Dried |
| Chewing gum stuck to clothes | How to Get Chewing Gum Out of Clothes |
| Wine, coffee, blood, ink, grass or a collar mark | How to Remove Stains From Clothes — 10 Common Types |
| Blood on sheets or clothes, fresh or dried | How to Get Blood Out of Sheets and Clothes |
| White canvas shoes gone grey | How to Clean Canvas Shoes (White and Coloured) |
| Pillows gone yellow or lumpy | How to Wash Pillows by Filling, Step by Step |
| A dog bed that smells after washing | How to Clean a Dog Bed: Covers, Cushions and Foam |
START HERE
Where to start.
- How to Clean a Washing Machine (Front Loader and Top Loader)Most laundry problems start in the machine: a musty wash, grey whites, a slimy seal.
- How to Deep Clean Your LaundryThe room itself, in ten steps, including behind the machine.
- How to Clean Canvas Shoes (White and Coloured)White canvas gone grey: a method the makers allow, and when to stop.
The cloth nappy care series6 guides, in order
- Cloth nappy care: build a routine that fits your householdStart here
- How to wash cloth nappies: organise the steps and settings
- Cloth nappy detergent: read the label and record the routine
- How to store dirty cloth nappies before washing
- Strip and sanitise cloth nappies: finding the right current advice
- Buying second-hand cloth nappies: questions before you buy
The machine and the laundry
Where most laundry smells start, and how often to deal with them.
Shoes and fabric care
Canvas shoes, and the pillows and dog beds that go in the washing machine. The pillow guide also appears in Bedroom & Living, and the dog bed guide in Family & Pets.
Clothing, curtains and blankets
Check the fabric, care label and washing instructions before choosing a method.
More room for life.Wedding dress cleaning and storage after the wedding
Prepare your wedding dress for specialist assessment, compare cleaning and preservation quotes, and plan suitable storage with a practical handover checklist.
Read the guide
How to clean curtains: fabric care and when to get help
Choose a curtain-cleaning method from the care label, understand fabric and lining limits, and recognise when you need a curtain specialist.
Read the guideMore room for life.Embroidered cushions and vintage textile care
Check labels, stitching, inserts and condition before cleaning decorative cushions or vintage upholstery, with clear boundaries for specialist care.
Read the guideMore room for life.Table linen and oilcloth: a label-led care guide
Separate washable table linen from coated fabrics, respond to spills within the care instructions and keep tablecloths, napkins and placemats organised.
Read the guideMore room for life.Wool blanket care: airing, washing decisions and storage
Look after a wool blanket by checking its label, protecting pom-poms and trim, and planning suitable cleaning, drying and storage.
Read the guideMore room for life.Denim care and repair: a practical clothing routine
Read denim labels, plan suitable washing and drying, and decide when jeans need a repair or a place in your wardrobe.
Read the guideCloth nappies: washing and care
Check the fabric, care label and washing instructions before choosing a method.
More room for life.Cloth nappy care: build a routine that fits your household
Start a cloth-nappy routine with practical guides to washing, detergent, storage, second-hand nappies and finding current sanitising advice.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to wash cloth nappies: organise the steps and settings
Plan a cloth-nappy wash routine around care labels, machine settings and detergent, with a practical handover sheet and troubleshooting checklist.
Read the guideMore room for life.Strip and sanitise cloth nappies: finding the right current advice
Understand older strip-and-sanitise advice, gather the details needed for current guidance, and avoid guessing chemical doses or fabric compatibility.
Read the guideMore room for life.Cloth nappy detergent: read the label and record the routine
Choose and measure cloth-nappy detergent using the actual product label, machine details and care instructions, without relying on an old brand chart.
Read the guideMore room for life.How to store dirty cloth nappies before washing
Set up cloth-nappy storage with clear wash stages, a practical handover for carers and current guidance on dry pailing and wet bags.
Read the guideMore room for life.Buying second-hand cloth nappies: questions before you buy
Check identity, condition, care history and the work involved before buying a pre-loved nappy bundle, with questions to send the seller.
Read the guideStorage that works with the washing
Check the fabric, care label and washing instructions before choosing a method.
WHEN YOU’D LIKE A HAND
Some days, leave it to us.
For the regular upkeep, a deeper reset or a home you’re moving out of. Find the clean that fits.
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