I Ran a Dishwasher Tablet Through My Empty Washing Machine for the First Time in 10 Years—Here’s What Really Happened
Have you ever opened your washing machine and noticed a musty smell that just wouldn’t go away? Maybe your freshly washed clothes didn’t smell quite as clean as they should, or you spotted mysterious gray residue around the rubber door seal or detergent drawer. If so, you’re not alone.
For years, many people assumed that because a washing machine is constantly filled with soap and water, it naturally cleans itself. It seems logical. After all, if it’s washing dirty clothes every week, surely it stays clean too.
The reality is quite different.
Modern washing machines gradually collect detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, body oils, lint, hard-water minerals, and even mold inside parts you can’t see. Over time, these hidden deposits can affect the machine’s performance, create unpleasant odors, and even leave clothes looking less fresh.
Recently, a surprisingly simple cleaning trick has been circulating online: placing a dishwasher tablet into an empty washing machine and running a hot cycle.
Curious after hearing so many people praise the method, I decided to try it myself for the first time in nearly ten years of owning the same washer.
Here’s what happened—and what experts say about whether it’s actually a good idea.
Why Washing Machines Become Dirty
It seems strange that something designed to clean can become dirty itself.
But every wash cycle leaves behind tiny amounts of residue.
These include:
Laundry detergent
Fabric softener
Dirt from clothing
Skin oils
Pet hair
Lint
Hard-water minerals
Soap scum
Most of these particles are rinsed away.
Some are not.
Instead, they collect inside hoses, pumps, filters, rubber seals, detergent compartments, and even behind the inner drum where you cannot easily see them.
As months turn into years, this buildup creates an ideal environment for bacteria and mold.
The Smell That Won’t Go Away
One of the first signs your washing machine needs attention is an unpleasant odor.
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