# How to Clean Washing Machine | How Much Bleach to Use URL: https://dublincleaners.ie/blog/how-to-clean-washing-machine/ > How to clean a washing machine: drum, drawer, door seal and pump filter, how much bleach to use, and why bleach never goes near vinegar. Call 01 230 8646. How to # How to Clean Washing Machine Drums, Drawers, Seals and Filters ![Lana, founder of Dublin Cleaners](/img/lana-founder-dublin-cleaners-96.webp)By [Lana](/author/lana/), Founder of dublincleaners.ieUpdated 14 November 2026 Quick answer To clean a washing machine, wash the **detergent drawer**, wipe the **door seal**, clear the **pump filter**, then run an **empty hot cycle** with a drum cleaner or the dose your manual allows. Hotpoint suggests **one cup of chlorine bleach** in the detergent drawer on the hottest setting, plus an extra rinse. **Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia.** Key takeaways - Beko's manual says to clean the detergent drawer every 4 to 5 washes and repeat drum cleaning every 2 months. - Beko says the pump filter must be cleaned whenever it clogs or every 3 months, after the machine is unplugged and cooled. - Hotpoint's guidance for front loaders is one cup of chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment, the hottest setting, then an extra rinse. - LG dilutes 3/4 cup (177 ml) of chlorine bleach in 1 gallon (3.8 litres) of warm water for wiping the door seal. - The HSA warns that bleach must not meet ammonia, toilet cleaners or drain cleaners, because a harmful gas can form. - Samsung warns that chlorine bleach or other cleaners can deform the door seal, so check your manual before using bleach. - 4-5 Washes between detergent drawer cleans Beko user manual - 2 months Interval for a drum cleaning cycle Beko user manual - 177 ml Bleach per 3.8 litres of water for the door seal LG Knowing how to clean washing machine parts properly fixes most musty smells and grey streaks on laundry. A machine has four parts that collect dirt: the drum, the detergent drawer, the rubber door seal and the pump filter. This guide covers each one, how much bleach to use if your manual allows it, and the chemical mix you must never make. ## What do you need to clean a washing machine? You need a washing machine cleaner or chlorine bleach, washing-up liquid, an old toothbrush, microfibre cloths, old towels and a shallow tray for the filter. White vinegar is optional for the drawer. Rubber gloves are needed for anything containing bleach. Part How often What to use Detergent drawer Every 4-5 washes (Beko) Warm water, toothbrush, vinegar optional Door seal Weekly wipe Soapy cloth; diluted bleach only if the manual allows Drum Every 2 months (Beko) Drum clean programme with cleaner or permitted bleach Pump filter Every 3 months or when clogged (Beko) Hands, towels, tray, warm water Water intake filters When dirty Soft brush Check your own manual before choosing a product. Samsung, for example, says its drum clean cycles should run without detergent and warns that chlorine bleach can deform the door seal. Other makers allow bleach. ## How to clean washing machine parts, step by step Clean from the outside in: drawer, seal, filter, then drum. That order means any loosened dirt is flushed out by the final hot cycle. Allow about an hour in total, most of it spent waiting for the hot cycle to finish. 1. Pull out the detergent drawer. Beko’s manual says to press the release point and wash the drawer and siphon in lukewarm water. Scrub corners with a toothbrush. 2. Wipe inside the drawer housing, where mould often hides on the roof. 3. Pull back the door seal and wipe the folds with a soapy cloth. Remove hair, coins and fluff. 4. Unplug the machine and let it cool. Clean the pump filter (see below). 5. Put a washing machine cleaner, or a permitted bleach dose, in the drawer. 6. Run the drum clean programme or the hottest cotton cycle with the drum empty. 7. Run an extra rinse, then leave the door and drawer open to dry. Hotpoint recommends finishing with a hot cycle of at least 70 degrees to remove smells and bacteria, then letting the machine air dry. If your utility room and kitchen need the same attention, our [deep cleaning service in Dublin](/deep-cleaning/) includes appliance exteriors, seals and the spaces behind them. ## How much bleach do you need to clean a washing machine? Use the dose in your manual. Where bleach is allowed, Hotpoint’s guidance for front loaders is one cup of chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment, on the hottest setting, followed by an extra rinse to clear any remaining bleach. One cup is roughly 240 ml. For the door seal, dilute rather than pour. LG mixes 3/4 cup (177 ml) of liquid chlorine bleach with 1 gallon (3.8 litres) of warm water, and warns that neat bleach makes the seal deteriorate over time. Wipe the seal with the solution, then wipe again with clean water and dry. More bleach does not clean better. It fades the rubber, can damage some seals and leaves a smell on the next load. If you do not want to use bleach, Beko suggests a pouch of special drum cleaning agent, or up to 100 g of powder anti-limescale for washing machines. ## Why must bleach never be mixed with vinegar or ammonia? Bleach mixed with an acid such as vinegar, or with ammonia, can release a harmful gas in a small utility room. The Health and Safety Authority says bleach should not come into contact with ammonia, toilet cleaners or drain cleaners, because a harmful gas can form and cause severe health effects. Its home chemicals leaflet puts it simply: do not mix chemicals, and use the recommended amount. LG gives the same rule for washers: use vinegar in place of bleach if you prefer, but never use the two together. That means never pouring vinegar into the drawer while bleach is in the drum. If you used one, run a full rinse cycle before using the other. Keep a window open or the extractor running during any bleach cycle. ## How do you clean the washing machine filter? Unplug the machine, let it cool and drain the water before opening the pump filter. Beko warns the water inside can reach 90 degrees. Lay towels down, open the flap at the bottom front, drain the water into a tray, then unscrew the filter and rinse it. Beko says the filter must be cleaned whenever it clogs or every 3 months. Pull out fluff, hair, coins and hair clips, and wipe around the pump opening. Screw the filter back in firmly, or it will leak on the next wash. A machine that will not drain or stops with water inside usually has a blocked filter. Clean it before calling a repair engineer. ## How do you get rid of a smelly washing machine? A smelly washing machine almost always has a dirty seal, drawer or filter. Clean all three, then run an empty drum clean. Leave the door and drawer open after every wash so the inside dries. Damp rubber and old detergent are what grow mould and smell. Low temperature washes and liquid fabric softener make smells more likely, because they leave a film behind. Run a hot wash with an empty drum every few weeks if most of your loads are at 30 or 40 degrees. If you live in a hard water area of Dublin, limescale builds on the heating element and drum. The [hard water guide](/guide/hard-water-dublin/) explains which parts of the city are affected. Beko recommends an anti-limescale product made for washing machines. ## What mistakes shorten a washing machine’s life? The costly mistakes are mixing chemicals, using neat bleach on rubber and ignoring the filter. Each one either damages a seal, harms the pump or creates a safety risk. None of them saves any time, and some lead to a repair call. - Mixing bleach with vinegar, ammonia or limescale remover. - Pouring neat bleach onto the door seal. - Running a bleach cycle with clothes or detergent inside. - Opening the filter while the water is hot. - Closing the door straight after every wash. - Using more detergent than the dose, which leaves residue. ## How do you keep a washing machine clean between deep cleans? Wipe the seal dry after the last wash of the day, leave the door ajar and pull the drawer out slightly. Clean the drawer every four or five washes, as Beko suggests. Those small habits stop most smells before they start. Give the outside a wipe at the same time, including the top where detergent spills. The same routine works for other appliances: the [fridge cleaning guide](/blog/how-to-clean-fridge/) covers the seals and drain hole that cause most fridge smells. When a move-out or big spring clean comes round, a professional deep clean covers the machine and the rest of the kitchen together. Want a fixed price instead? Call 01 230 8646. Give us the bedrooms, bathrooms and area, and we will give you a price on the phone. [01 230 8646](tel:+35312308646)[Request quote](/contact/) ## Frequently asked questions How much bleach do I use to clean a washing machine? Follow your machine's manual first. Where bleach is allowed, Hotpoint's front loader guidance is one cup of chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment on the hottest setting, then an extra rinse. For wiping the seal, LG dilutes 3/4 cup (177 ml) in 3.8 litres of warm water. Never use bleach neat on rubber. Can I clean my washing machine with vinegar and bleach? No, never together or back to back without rinsing. Bleach and acids such as vinegar can release a harmful gas. The HSA warns bleach must not meet ammonia, toilet cleaners or drain cleaners. Use one or the other, run a rinse cycle in between, and keep the room ventilated. Why does my washing machine smell? Most smells come from a damp door seal, a dirty detergent drawer or a clogged pump filter. Washing only at low temperatures adds to it. Clean all three, run an empty hot cycle, and leave the door and drawer open after each wash so the inside dries. How often should I clean my washing machine? Beko's manual suggests the detergent drawer every 4 to 5 washes, a drum cleaning cycle every 2 months and the pump filter every 3 months. Wipe the door seal weekly. A household doing daily washes may need the drum clean monthly. Where is the filter on a washing machine? On most front loaders, the pump filter sits behind a small flap at the bottom front corner. Unplug the machine and let it cool first. Beko warns the water inside can reach 90 degrees. Put towels and a shallow tray down, because water drains out when you open it. Can I use a dishwasher tablet to clean a washing machine? Some people do, but manufacturers do not list it. Beko suggests its own drum cleaning agent, or up to 100 g of a powder anti-limescale product made for washing machines if that is not available. A purpose-made washing machine cleaner is the safer choice for seals and pumps. ## Sources 1. [Beko, Washing Machine User's Manual WMB71233W](https://storage.beko.co.uk/bekoupload/manuals/WMB71233.pdf) (2026-11-14) 2. [Hotpoint, Can I run my washing machine empty to clean it?](https://www.hotpoint.co.uk/blog/buying-guides/laundry/washing-machines/clean-empty) (2026-11-14) 3. [Hotpoint, Washing machine cleaning guide](https://www.hotpoint.co.uk/blog/how-tos-hacks/hotpoint-s-washing-machine-cleaning-guide) (2026-11-14) 4. [LG, How to clean the tub of your LG washing machine](https://www.lg.com/us/support/help-library/lg-washer-how-to-clean-the-tub-of-your-lg-washing-machine--20150635948425) (2026-11-14) 5. [Samsung, Cleaning the door and drum of your Samsung washing machine](https://www.samsung.com/au/support/home-appliances/clean-door-and-drum/) (2026-11-14) 6. [Health and Safety Authority, Safety in contract cleaning (Incompatible chemicals)](https://www.hsa.ie/media/4lsjy3vo/safety-in-contract-cleaning_.pdf) (2026-11-14) 7. [Health and Safety Authority, Use Chemicals Safely at Home and in the Garden](https://www.hsa.ie/media/1nfngryi/use-chemicals-safely-at-home-and-in-the-garden.pdf) (2026-11-14) ![Lana, founder of Dublin Cleaners](/img/lana-founder-dublin-cleaners-192.webp) About the author: [Lana](/author/lana/) Founder of dublincleaners.ie, Lana's company brings expertise in both residential and commercial cleaning services fostering a clean, healthy environment. Outside of work, you'll often find her hitting the gym or immersing herself in invigorating body balance classes.