Think your laundry is actually getting clean? Discover the hidden health risks of a dirty drum and the exact cleaning timeline experts recommend.

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more› By Andrea Barnes Andrea Barnes is a writer covering large cleaning appliances.

For something that does so much cleaning—washing is actually in the name—your washing machine isn't very clean itself, says Jennifer Ahoni, principal scientist for Tide and senior scientific ...