How to get rid of washing machine smells
Noticed that your clothes are coming out of the washer with a lessthan-fresh-smell or has there been an odor wafting from your washing machine? The culprit is likely a washing machine in need of washing. And you’re not alone – after all, up to 20% of households have never cleaned their washer, according to the National Cleaning Survey. And even if you have cleaned your washing machine in the past, that smell can come back and it may be due to something other than lack of cleaning.
So we asked the cleaning experts what can cause a washing machine to smell bad, ways to get rid of that washing machine smell and the how to keep it smelling fresh for good.
CAUSES OF ODOR
Before you can pinpoint how to clean your washer, it’s important to determine what’s causing the odor – and if it’s something serious, explains
Will Cotter, cleaning specialist for FreshSpace.
Here, the various odors and what they may mean: Mildewy or moldy stench? Moisture overload. This is the most common washing machine odor, explains Cotter. “Mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria need both moisture and ‘food’ to develop, so these smells are caused by two main factors: dampness that remains after the wash cycle is complete and a build-up of sweat, skin cells, dirt and soap scum from clothes and detergent that stick to the drum and other machine parts.” If this is your smell, see “Cleaning tips” below tips on how to clean your machine.
Sewage stench? Peek at the pipes. This odor can sometimes be caused by bacteria, so give one of the cleaning methods below a try first. “If the smell still lingers, this typically indicates that you have an issue with the pipes or vents connected to your washer,” says Rich Mullins, of H2O Plumbing.
If you’re feeling particularly handy, you can look up YouTube videos on how to investigate and clean a washing machine vent pipe, drain pipe or P-trap, but keep in mind it may require you to go up on your roof so, in general, it’s best to let a professional plumber tackle this problem.
CLEANING TIPS
Check the rubber gasket around the door. Not only is this area notorious for “eating” socks and delicates, it also traps grime and moisture that combine to form a mold and mildew factory.
“White vinegar is the go-to fix here,” assures Cotter. “Just pour about 1 cup of undiluted white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run the machine on an empty hot water cycle. The acids in the vinegar will kill off odor-causing bacteria and break down built-up gunk on the inside of the machine and keep it – and your clothes – smelling fresh. Repeat the process monthly.”
KEEP IT FRESH
To prevent washing machine smells moving forward, check for trapped clothes in the folds of the machine, then wipe down the gasket with a clean, dry rag when you’re done with a wash cycle.
“Also, leave the door to the machine ajar between cycles,” suggests professional cleaner Kait Schulhof, founder of A Clean Bee. “This will encourage more air circulation, so moisture doesn’t have time to fester in the machine. Then, once every week or so, give the gasket a quick wipe-down with a cloth dampened with more white vinegar.”