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This story is part of Try This, CNET's collection of simple tips to improve your life, fast.

Your washing machine is a damp environment where mold, mildew and bacteria thrive. As a result, your "clean" clothes end up smelling worse than when you put them in the washer, hairandbeautybc.com which can ruin a fresh load of laundry. By giving your washer the routine cleaning it needs, you can banish that gross stuff and prevent it from coming back. 

Here's how to get your clothes and washing machine smelling fresh and clean again, and how to keep the bad smells away in the future. (For more cleaning advice, here's how to get pet stains out of carpets, how to remove makeup stains from your bedding, and how to clean your mattress.)

The best way to kill mold and bacteria in your washer

If you've got mold in your washer, here's how to get rid of it. Doing this monthly will help prevent mold growth.

1. Put on gloves and grab an old towel that you don't care about.

2. Mix a solution of either bleach and hot water OR vinegar and hot water. (Never mix bleach and vinegar -- it creates chlorine gas, which is toxic.)

3. Dip the towel in the mixture and start scrubbing away at any visible mold. Make sure to get the detergent dispenser and around the gaskets.

4. Front-loading machines have a gasket around the door. If you have a front loader, clean and dry it thoroughly, including all the folds.

5. Run the wash cycle on the hottest setting your machine offers with a cup of bleach or vinegar. If using bleach, pour it into the compartment designated for bleach. If using vinegar, pour it into the detergent slot.

If your machine has a self-clean cycle, you can use that setting. This should kill any hidden mold that you may have missed.

6. Use another old towel and wipe away all the moisture in your washing machine. This includes the drum, dispensers, seals and any other areas you can reach.

7. Leave the washer door open to allow airflow to dry out any parts you missed. 

Leave the lid open if you're not washing clothes

Mold grows in dark, moist areas, which is what your washer becomes after you've unloaded the clothes. Keeping the lid closed traps moisture, which can lead to built-up bacteria and a bad smell. 

Leaving the washing machine door open helps ventilate the area and prevents mold from growing in the first place.