The internet has never met a household product it could not turn into a cleaning hack.
Dishwasher tablets in the oven. Shaving cream on the mirror. Mouthwash in the washing machine. At some point, you have to wonder whether we are cleaning the house or emptying the bathroom cabinet into random appliances to see what happens.
So, can you use mouthwash to clean a washing machine?
Technically, you could pour it into the drum and run a cycle. But that does not mean you should. Mouthwash is designed to rinse your mouth, not remove detergent residue, mineral deposits, mold, or buildup from the hidden parts of a washing machine.
It may temporarily cover an odor with a minty fragrance, but it is not an approved washing-machine cleaner and may leave behind ingredients your washer was never designed to handle.
Here is why the mouthwash cleaning hack falls short, what may be causing your washer to smell, and what to use instead.
Why People Put Mouthwash in a Washing Machine
The idea sounds reasonable at first.
Some mouthwashes contain alcohol or antimicrobial ingredients, and they leave the mouth feeling fresh. That has led people to assume a cup of mouthwash can sanitize a washing machine, kill odor-causing germs, and leave the drum smelling minty.
The problem is that fresh-smelling and properly cleaned are not the same thing.
A washing machine develops odor because of residue, moisture, trapped debris, detergent buildup, fabric softener, mold, or mildew. Covering that smell with mint does not remove the source.
It is the appliance version of spraying cologne in a dirty gym bag. Something changed, but let’s not call it clean.
Does Mouthwash Clean a Washing Machine?
Mouthwash is not designed or tested as a washing-machine cleaner.
Depending on the formula, it may contain:
- flavoring
- coloring
- sweeteners
- glycerin
- surfactants
- essential oils
- alcohol or other active ingredients
Those ingredients may be useful in an oral rinse, but they do not necessarily dissolve washer residue or clean the drum, gasket, dispenser, pump, and internal lines effectively.
Some ingredients may also leave behind film, fragrance, color, or extra residue—exactly what you are trying to remove from the machine in the first place.
So while mouthwash may make the washer smell different for a while, it is not a reliable way to clean it.
Can Mouthwash Sanitize a Washing Machine?
You should not assume that mouthwash sanitizes a washing machine.
A product’s antimicrobial claim only applies to the use described on its label. Mouthwash is tested and labeled for oral use, not for sanitizing appliance drums, door seals, detergent dispensers, or internal washing-machine components.
It also may not reach every area where odor-producing buildup develops. The parts you can see are only part of the machine. Residue can collect behind the drum, around the gasket, inside dispensers, and throughout internal components.
That is why using the washer’s dedicated cleaning cycle and an approved product makes more sense than relying on a viral hack.
Why Your Washing Machine Smells
Before choosing a cleaner, identify what may be causing the odor.
Too much detergent
Using more detergent does not create cleaner laundry. Excess detergent may fail to rinse away completely, leaving a film inside the washer that holds dirt, body oils, and odor.
High-efficiency machines are especially sensitive to detergent overuse because they use less water.
Too much fabric softener
Fabric softener can leave a coating inside the dispenser and other parts of the machine. Over time, that residue can trap grime and contribute to unpleasant smells.
A damp washer that stays closed
Closing the washer door or lid immediately after every load traps moisture inside.
That warm, damp environment is exactly where mildew likes to get comfortable, unpack its bags, and start acting like it pays rent.
A dirty door gasket
Front-loading washers have rubber door gaskets that can trap:
- water
- lint
- hair
- detergent
- small clothing items
- mystery debris nobody wants to identify
If the gasket is not cleaned and dried regularly, odors can develop even when the drum looks fine.
A neglected detergent dispenser
Detergent and softener dispensers collect sticky residue over time. If removable components are never washed, that buildup can develop mold, mildew, and odor.
An overdue cleaning cycle
Many modern washing machines include a cycle labeled:
- Clean Washer
- Self Clean
- Basket Clean
- Tub Clean
- Drum Clean
That cycle exists for a reason. If it has been ignored for months, the washer may simply need the maintenance its manufacturer already built into it.
What to Use Instead of Mouthwash
The safest choice depends on your washer’s manufacturer and model.
Always check the owner’s manual before adding any cleaning product to the drum or dispenser.
1. Use the Washer’s Self-Cleaning Cycle
Start with the dedicated washer-cleaning cycle if your machine has one.
Run the cycle with the drum empty and follow the instructions in the owner’s manual. Some machines are designed to complete the cycle with water alone. Others call for an approved washer cleaner or a specific amount of liquid chlorine bleach.
Do not assume every washing machine uses the same method.
2. Use an Approved Washing-Machine Cleaner
Commercial washing-machine cleaners are formulated to break down odor-causing residue inside washers.
Use the amount directed on the package and place it exactly where the instructions specify. More product is not better. It is just more product your machine must rinse away.
3. Use Bleach Only When the Manual Allows It
Some manufacturers permit liquid chlorine bleach during the washer-cleaning cycle.
Follow the exact quantity and placement instructions for your model. Never combine bleach with mouthwash, vinegar, ammonia, or any other cleaning product.
This is not the time for a custom chemistry recipe.
4. Clean the Gasket and Dispenser Separately
A drum-cleaning cycle may not remove every bit of buildup from the door gasket or detergent dispenser.
For a front-load washer:
- Turn off the machine.
- Pull back the rubber gasket carefully.
- Remove hair, lint, and debris.
- Wipe it using the method approved in the owner’s manual.
- Dry the gasket thoroughly.
Remove and wash dispenser components when the manufacturer permits it.
5. Leave the Door or Lid Open After Washing
After the final load, leave the door or lid slightly open so moisture can escape.
Also remove wet laundry promptly. Clothing left sitting inside creates more humidity and can make both the washer and the laundry smell stale.
How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
For many households, cleaning the washing machine about once a month is a practical baseline.
You may need to clean it more often if:
- the machine is used daily
- you wash heavily soiled items
- you frequently use fabric softener
- you regularly use too much detergent
- the washer stays damp
- odors return quickly
Follow your machine’s cleaning reminder or manufacturer schedule when one is provided.
What to Avoid When Cleaning a Washing Machine
Avoid putting the following into your washer unless the manufacturer specifically approves them:
- mouthwash
- dishwashing liquid
- random disinfectants
- essential oils
- excessive detergent
- multiple cleaning products mixed together
Also avoid pouring vinegar into the washer simply because it appears in a popular cleaning video. Some manufacturers advise against placing vinegar directly in the machine because repeated acid exposure may affect certain components.
The owner’s manual outranks the internet. Every time.
AshBre Pro Tips for Keeping a Washer Fresh
A few simple habits can prevent most washer odors:
- measure detergent instead of pouring by instinct
- use high-efficiency detergent in HE machines
- remove laundry promptly
- leave the door or lid open between loads
- wipe the gasket dry
- clean the detergent dispenser regularly
- run the approved cleaning cycle on schedule
The best way to deal with washing-machine odor is to prevent the residue and moisture that cause it.
Final Thoughts
Can you use mouthwash to clean a washing machine? You could—but you should not.
Mouthwash may temporarily disguise an odor, but it is not formulated to clean washing-machine drums, seals, dispensers, or internal components. Its added fragrances, oils, colorants, sweeteners, and other ingredients may leave behind more residue instead of solving the real problem.
Use the machine’s cleaning cycle, follow the owner’s manual, and choose a product approved for washing machines. Then clean the gasket and dispenser, reduce detergent use, and let the machine dry between loads.
Minty is not the same as clean.
And your washer deserves better than becoming the world’s largest mouthwash cup.
