“Your washing machine smells like a damp basement,” my roommate said. She was not wrong. I had been ignoring the musty odor for weeks, assuming it was just old towels.

Turns out washing machines need cleaning too. A repair guy quoted me eighty dollars to do it. Instead I tried a dishwasher tablet. It worked so well I called my mom to tell her about it.

Why washing machines get gross

Your washing machine is warm, dark, and damp — the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Detergent residue, fabric softener, and body oils build up on the drum over time. If you always wash in cold water, the buildup happens faster because low temperatures do not kill bacteria.

Front-loaders are especially prone because the rubber door seal traps water. But top-loaders get dirty too — you just cannot see it as easily.

The dishwasher tablet method

Drop two dishwasher tablets directly into the empty drum. Do not put them in the detergent drawer. Set the machine to its hottest cycle — at least 140°F, ideally higher. Run a full wash cycle with no clothes inside.

Dishwasher tablets contain enzymes and bleach that break down grease and kill bacteria. The hot water activates them. As the drum spins, the tablets dissolve and the cleaning agents scrub every surface the water touches.

What comes out

The first time I did this, the water turned gray. Not slightly cloudy — gray. All the detergent scum and fabric softener residue that had been coating the drum dissolved into the water. By the end of the cycle, the drum looked new. The musty smell was gone.

I now do this once a month. It takes five seconds to toss the tablets in and press start.

Other things that help

Leave the door open between washes so the drum can dry. Wipe the rubber seal on front-loaders with a dry cloth after each wash day. Use less detergent than the bottle says — most people use twice as much as they need, and the excess builds up.

If you use fabric softener, consider switching to white vinegar in the rinse cycle. It softens clothes without leaving a waxy film on the drum.

Does this work for the detergent drawer too?

Yes. Remove the drawer and soak it in warm water with a dishwasher tablet for an hour. Scrub with an old toothbrush to get into the corners. The drawer will come out looking new.

Eighty dollars saved. The repair guy was nice about it when I told him.