Washing Machine Smells Bad? How to Eliminate the Odor Permanently
Your clean clothes come out smelling worse than when they went in. Here is what causes washer smell and the permanent fix.
Why Washing Machines Smell
The smell is caused by mold, mildew, and bacteria growing inside the machine. Front-load washers are especially prone because their door seals trap moisture. But top-load washers can smell too. The combination of warm water, detergent residue, and fabric softener creates a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Using too much detergent makes it worse because excess soap creates a film that bacteria feed on.
Deep Clean: The Drum
Run an empty hot water cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar in the detergent dispenser. When the cycle completes, run another empty hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda directly in the drum. This two-step process dissolves detergent buildup, kills bacteria, and neutralizes odors. For severe smells, add half a cup of bleach to an empty hot cycle instead. Many newer washers have a dedicated Clean Washer or Tub Clean cycle designed for this purpose.
Deep Clean: The Gasket and Dispenser
On front-load washers, pull back the rubber door gasket and clean inside the folds with a cloth soaked in a solution of half vinegar and half water. This area traps moisture, hair, and debris that create the worst smells. Also remove and clean the detergent and fabric softener dispensers — they accumulate slimy residue that harbors bacteria. Soak them in hot vinegar water for 30 minutes, scrub with an old toothbrush, and reinstall.
Prevention: Stop the Smell from Coming Back
Leave the washer door or lid open after every wash to let the drum dry. Use only HE (high efficiency) detergent in HE machines and use the amount recommended on the label, not more. Reduce or eliminate liquid fabric softener which leaves a residue that promotes bacterial growth. Run a cleaning cycle monthly with vinegar or a commercial washer cleaner. Wipe down the front-load door gasket after each use. These habits prevent 95 percent of washer odor problems.
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