How to clean the washing machine: drum, filter and rubber seal

To clean the washing machine from the inside, address four areas, each at its own pace. The door rubber should be cleaned every month with water and neutral detergent and dried well. The detergent drawer should be washed with water every two months. The filter should be cleaned at least twice a year. The drum is cleaned with an empty cycle at 60 ºC or higher. This is the method that DECO PROteste recommends for the washing machine, and it resolves most bad smells, mould stains and detergent residues. Below we explain each step, what to do about limescale in Lisbon water, why vinegar is not the miracle solution it claims to be, and how to remove the smell from the microwave, which is another common concern for those cleaning the kitchen.

In summary

• Door rubber: once a month, or more often if washing a lot of clothes. Pull back the folds, clean with water and neutral detergent, and dry.
• Detergent drawer: remove it and wash it with water every two months.
• Filter: at least twice a year, with the machine unplugged and a container underneath to catch the water.
• Drum: run an empty cycle at 60 ºC or higher. For limescale, a proper anti-limescale product works better than vinegar or bicarbonate.
• Prevention: leave the door and drawer slightly open between washes and use the right amount of detergent.

Index

• What you need before starting
• Step by step: cleaning the machine from the inside
• How often to clean each part
• How to remove mould from the rubber
• Vinegar, bicarbonate and anti-limescale: what works
• Limescale in Lisbon water
• Why does the machine smell bad
• And the microwave? Smell and burnt residues
• Our perspective
• When it makes sense to call a professional team
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What you need before starting

You don’t need much, and you probably already have almost everything at home:

• Microfiber cloths, one for cleaning and another, dry, for drying.
• Neutral detergent (dish detergent works) and a bucket with warm water.
• An old toothbrush or a small brush for the folds and corners of the drawer.
• A low tray or a wide container and old towels for when you open the filter.
• Gloves, especially if there is visible mould.
• An anti-limescale product or a proper machine cleaner if the machine has limescale or a persistent smell.

Before touching the filter or cleaning the interior with water, unplug the machine. To clean the rubber or the exterior, it just needs to be stopped, but unplugging it doesn’t hurt and avoids surprises.

Step by step: cleaning the machine from the inside

Follow this order: first the parts where dirt accumulates, then the wash cycle that takes away everything that has loosened.

1. The door rubber

This is where bad smells usually originate. Between the folds, lint, hair, detergent residues and stagnant water accumulate, and over time black mould appears.

1. Carefully pull the rubber back and open the folds all around.
2. Manually remove lint, coins, and any hooks you find.
3. Wipe with a damp cloth in warm water with neutral detergent, fold by fold. For dark spots, use a soft brush.
4. Dry with a dry cloth. This step is as important as washing: the moisture left is what feeds the mould.

DECO PROteste advises doing this at least once a month and, if you use the machine often, more frequently, drying the rubber after each wash.

2. The detergent drawer

Fabric softener is thick and leaves a film that, mixed with moisture, creates a dark paste in the corners and in the drawer's fitting.

1. Pull the drawer all the way out and press the tab (usually in the fabric softener compartment) to release it.
2. Wash it with warm water and scrub the corners with the brush.
3. Don’t forget the fitting where the drawer goes in: clean inside with a damp cloth, as that’s where mould usually hides.
4. Dry everything and reassemble.

A wash with water every two months is enough in most homes.

3. The pump filter

The filter catches buttons, coins, lint, and hair ties. When it’s full, the machine drains poorly, makes noise, and the clothes come out wetter.

1. Unplug the machine and wait for the water to cool if you just did a hot wash.
2. Open the small cover at the bottom, at the front. Place towels and the tray underneath.
3. If the machine has an emergency drainage hose, use it first to remove the water. If not, slowly unscrew the filter and let the water drain out gradually.
4. Remove the filter, clean it under the tap and take out anything stuck in the opening.
5. Screw it back in tightly to avoid leaks during the next wash.

Do this at least twice a year. If you wash a lot of pet or children’s clothes, it’s worth doing it more often. The instruction manual indicates where the filter is in your model.

4. The drum

With the rubber, drawer, and filter clean, the drum and the unseen pipes are next.

1. Ensure the drum is empty.
2. Choose a program at 60 ºC or higher. If the machine has a drum cleaning program, use that.
3. If there is limescale or a smell that doesn’t go away, add a proper anti-limescale product or machine cleaner, in the amount indicated on the label.
4. Finally, leave the door and drawer open to let the interior dry.

5. The exterior

To finish, wipe a damp cloth with a little neutral detergent on the door, glass, panel, and top. Dry immediately to avoid marks. Avoid abrasive sponges on the panel and glass.

How often to clean each part

Part	Frequency	How
Door rubber	Every month, or more with heavy use	Water and neutral detergent, then dry
Detergent drawer	Every two months	Remove and wash with water
Pump filter	At least twice a year	With the machine unplugged, drain the water and wash
Drum	Regularly, and whenever there is a smell	Empty cycle at 60 ºC or higher
Descaling	1 to 6 times a year, depending on water hardness and hot washes	Proper anti-limescale product
Door and drawer	After each wash	Leave slightly open to air out

The intervals follow DECO PROteste’s recommendations. If you want to fit this routine into the rest of the house, our domestic cleaning calendar shows how often to clean each room.

How to remove mould from the rubber

Black spots on the rubber are mould. If caught early, it can be removed with the monthly cleaning described above: warm water, neutral detergent, soft brush on the folds, and drying very well. Use gloves and ventilate the room while you work.

When the mould has already penetrated the rubber and the stains won’t come out, it’s a sign that moisture has been trapped there for too long. At that point, use a product specifically for mould, compatible with rubbers, and follow the instructions on the label and the machine manufacturer’s guidelines. If the rubber is cracked or retains stains after several cleanings, consult the brand’s technical service to see if the part needs to be replaced.

The best treatment is prevention. DECO PROteste insists on leaving the door ajar after each wash to allow air circulation. Add to this three simple habits:

• Remove clothes as soon as the program ends. Wet clothes left in the drum is the start of a musty smell.
• Leave the drawer slightly open as well.
• Occasionally run a wash at a higher temperature. Washing always at 30 ºC or 40 ºC leaves residues that accumulate.

Vinegar, bicarbonate and anti-limescale: what works

In guides circulating on the internet, vinegar appears as a solution for everything. DECO PROteste has a different stance.

Vinegar. The acidity of vinegar negates the effect of the detergent during washing and is ineffective against limescale. Additionally, it can damage the rubbers and metal components of the machine. Therefore, we do not recommend it as a regular cleaning product for the machine.

Bicarbonate. It can help prevent limescale on the heating element, but it increases minerals in fabrics. Over time, clothes may darken and become less soft.

Proper anti-limescale. This is the option that DECO PROteste prefers over homemade mixtures, used between 1 and 6 times a year, depending on water hardness and how often you wash at high temperatures.

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A safety rule that has no exceptions: never mix different cleaning products in the same cycle or bucket. Use one product at a time, in the amount indicated on the label, and rinse between each one. If you have children at home, keep machine cleaners and capsules out of their reach.

Limescale in Lisbon water

If you live in Lisbon, the good news is that the tap water is not among the hardest in the country. The hardness of the water that EPAL distributes in the city varies between 40 and 170 mg/l of calcium carbonate, with an average value of 80 mg/l, which EPAL classifies as soft water.

In practice, this means that in much of the city you don’t need to add anti-limescale to every wash. For those with a home in Lisbon, it makes sense to stay on the lower end of DECO PROteste’s interval, one or two descalings per year, and increase the frequency if:

• you wash often at 60 ºC or 90 ºC (towels, bed linen, baby clothes);
• you see white crust on the rubber or the glass of the door;
• the clothes come out rough or with whitish stains;
• the house is outside the city, in an area with harder water. In that case, ask the entity that supplies your area what the water hardness is.

In hard water areas, DECO PROteste suggests using anti-limescale in every wash.

Why does the machine smell bad

Bad smells rarely have a single cause. The most common are:

• Too much detergent. More detergent does not wash better. According to DECO PROteste, excess detergent leaves residues on clothes, wears out the machine, and causes bad odors. Follow the dosage on the packaging for water hardness and dirt level.
• Washing always at low temperatures. Residues of detergent and fabric softener accumulate in the drum and pipes.
• Door closed between washes. Moisture gets trapped and mould settles in.
• Dirty filter. Stagnant water and lint residues in the filter smell, and the smell transfers to the clothes.

If the smell persists after cleaning everything, repeat the empty cycle at 60 ºC or higher with a machine cleaner. If it continues, ask the technical service to check the drainage.

And the microwave? Smell and burnt residues

Those cleaning the washing machine often take the opportunity to address other kitchen appliances, and the microwave is the one that most often complains of smells.

For normal cleaning, DECO PROteste suggests removing the plate and the turntable and washing them separately with mild detergent. The interior is cleaned with a damp microfiber cloth and mild detergent, taking care not to let water enter the holes. Done regularly, this cleaning removes grease splashes and food residues before they start to smell.

To remove the smell, the most used method is lemon steam: put water and lemon juice in a microwave-safe container and heat for a few minutes. LG explains how to remove the smell from the microwave with lemon and water. The steam softens the dirt and leaves a fresh aroma. Finally, clean the interior with the damp cloth and leave the door open for a while.

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If the microwave is burnt, do not use sponges or abrasive products: they damage the interior coating and the digital panel. Soften the residues with steam, remove them with a soft cloth, and repeat if necessary. To use the appliance safely, DECO PROteste reminds you that you should never turn on the microwave empty (nor with a container without water), you should not put metal inside, including spoons in cups, and avoid polystyrene or unsuitable plastic containers.

Our perspective

We enter homes in Lisbon every week and always see the same pattern: the washing machine is one of the appliances that works the hardest and receives the least attention. Almost no one remembers the rubber or the filter until the clothes start coming out smelling musty.

It’s not a lack of care; it’s a lack of routine. A busy family doesn’t have time to think about detergent drawers, and those with a holiday home closed for weeks often find the machine with stagnant water and mould on the door.

That’s why we work with detailed checklists. The points we forget at home, like the folds of the rubber, the fitting of the drawer, or the inside of the oven, are on the list and are always done the same way, no matter which professional it is. When possible, it’s the same team that returns to your home, knows your appliances, and knows where dirt usually accumulates.

We believe that a well-maintained home does not depend on major emergency cleanings, but on clear standards met visit after visit. That’s what we strive to deliver.

Taras

When it makes sense to call a professional team

If the washing machine is just one of the things that need doing, or if you are handing over a house and need everything spotless, Cleaning Point can take care of it for you in Lisbon. Oven and appliance cleaning is one of the extras you can add to the visit, alongside laundry and bed linen, windows, upholstery, and the balcony or terrace. You can see all the options on our cleaning services page.

For a home that needs more than regular maintenance, our Signature Deep Cleaning covers areas that regular cleaning doesn’t reach. If you are moving out of an apartment or receiving new tenants, the move-in move-out cleaning leaves the house ready for the next occupants. We work with fixed teams whenever possible, professionals selected and trained by us, support in various languages, and a digital report of the visit. When you’re ready, you can schedule a cleaning directly.

Frequently asked questions

How much does professional cleaning of a washing machine cost?

It depends on the condition of the machine and what else is included in the visit. At Cleaning Point, appliance cleaning is an extra that is added to a house cleaning and is charged separately. We do not publish a fixed price for this extra: the amount is indicated when you schedule the cleaning, according to the chosen service.

Can I put vinegar in the washing machine?

DECO PROteste advises against it. The acidity of vinegar negates the effect of the detergent, is ineffective against limescale, and can damage the rubbers and metal parts. To descale, use a proper anti-limescale product, in the amount indicated on the label.

How often should I run an empty cycle at 60 ºC?

Do it regularly and whenever the machine starts to smell bad, especially if you usually wash at low temperatures. If you add an anti-limescale, DECO PROteste indicates between 1 and 6 times a year, depending on water hardness and hot washes. In Lisbon, where the water is soft, once or twice a year is usually sufficient.

Why does the laundry come out smelling musty even after washing?

Common causes are too much detergent, mould in the rubber, dirty filter, or clothes left in the drum after the program ends. Clean the rubber, drawer, and filter, run an empty cycle at 60 ºC or higher, and start leaving the door ajar. Remove the clothes as soon as the machine stops.

Sources

• DECO PROteste: How to clean the washing machine
• DECO PROteste: Is anti-limescale for washing machines really necessary?
• DECO PROteste: Detergents for the washing machine, how to choose?
• DECO PROteste: Microwave, how to choose the right model and avoid mistakes
• EPAL: What is water hardness
• LG Portugal: How to remove the smell from the microwave