Emergency workers say they had to use olive oil to grease up and free a naked man who got stuck in a washing machine during a game of hide and seek.

Mooroopna police, in northern Victoria, say the man was attempting to hide from his partner when he climbed into the top loader.

It took emergency crews about 20 minutes to free him using the oil to lubricate his skin.

First Constable Luke Ingram says it was lucky the man was naked.

"I guess if he's going to get into a washing machine it's best if he has no clothes on to be able to get him out like that," he said.

"I guess the clothes can provide a bit of resistance to try to get him out.

"My advice would be for people not to climb into appliances.

"Obviously, that causes a number of issues as we've seen on the weekend."