Washer Smells Like Mildew: How to Fix It Without Damaging Your Clothes
Washer Smells Like Mildew: How to Fix It Without Damaging Your Clothes
You open your washing machine and a musty, mildew smell hits you. The odor is transferring to your clothes, and even freshly washed laundry doesn’t smell clean. A washer that smells like mildew has mold and bacteria growing inside, usually in the rubber seal, detergent dispenser, or drum. The smell can transfer to your clothes and cause a musty odor that’s hard to remove. But you can fix it. Here’s how to eliminate mildew smell from your washer without damaging your clothes.
A washer that smells like mildew has mold and bacteria growing in the drum, rubber seal, detergent dispenser, or internal components. The mildew smell is caused by moisture, detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and leaving the door closed between washes. The odor can transfer to clothes during washing.
To fix a washer that smells like mildew, clean the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the detergent dispenser, run a hot cycle with vinegar and baking soda, use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly, and leave the door open between washes. Don’t use too much detergent, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t close the door between washes.
Where Mildew Hides in Your Washer
The Rubber Seal (Front Loaders)
The rubber seal around the door is the most common hiding spot for mildew. Water collects in the folds of the seal, creating a warm, moist environment where mold thrives.
How to clean: Pull back the folds of the seal and wipe with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. If you see black mold, apply vinegar directly and let it sit for 10 minutes before wiping. For stubborn mold, use a paste of baking soda and water, scrub with an old toothbrush, then wipe with vinegar.
The Detergent Dispenser
Detergent and fabric softener residue builds up in the dispenser, feeding bacteria and mold.
How to clean: Remove the dispenser and soak it in warm water with vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush to remove residue and mold. Rinse thoroughly and replace.
The Drum
Detergent residue and fabric softener buildup coat the drum and feed bacteria.
How to clean: Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser and half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the drum. Run the hottest and longest cycle.
The Filter
Some washers have a filter at the bottom front that can collect debris and cause odors.
How to clean: Check your manual for the filter location. Remove and clean it of lint, coins, and debris.
Step-by-Step: Eliminating Mildew Smell
Step 1: Clean the Rubber Seal
Pull back the folds of the rubber seal and wipe with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. For visible mold, apply vinegar directly, let it sit for 10 minutes, then wipe. For stubborn mold, use a baking soda paste and scrub with an old toothbrush.
Step 2: Clean the Detergent Dispenser
Remove the dispenser and soak in warm water with vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse and replace.
Step 3: Run a Hot Cycle with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser and half a cup of baking soda to the drum. Run the hottest and longest cycle.
Step 4: Run a Second Hot Cycle with affresh
For stubborn odors, add 1 tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner to the drum and run another hot cycle.
Step 5: Wipe the Drum
After the cycles, wipe the drum with a clean, dry cloth to remove any loosened residue.
Step 6: Clean the Filter
If your washer has a filter, remove and clean it.
Step 7: Leave the Door Open
Leave the door open for several hours to let the drum dry completely.
How to Prevent Mildew Smell
Leave the door open between washes. This is the single most important step. Leaving the door open lets the drum dry and prevents mold growth.
Use less detergent. Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle. Excess detergent feeds bacteria.
Don’t use fabric softener. It coats the drum and seal with waxy residue that traps moisture and feeds mold. Use vinegar instead.
Use hot water. Use hot water for at least one load per week to kill bacteria and dissolve residue.
Remove clothes promptly. Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer for more than 2 hours.
Clean monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner once a month.
Wipe the seal after each wash. Wipe the rubber seal with a dry cloth after each wash to remove moisture.
Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. Add to the rinse cycle for heavily soiled loads to kill bacteria.
How to Remove Mildew Smell from Clothes
If your washer has transferred mildew smell to your clothes:
- Wash with 1 cup of white vinegar and Tide Free and Gentle in hot water
- Add half a cup of baking soda to the wash
- Dry in the sun if possible
- If the smell remains, soak in oxygen bleach solution for 1 hour before washing
- Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for visible mildew spots
FAQ
Why does my washer smell like mildew? A washer smells like mildew because of mold and bacteria growing in the rubber seal, detergent dispenser, or drum. The growth is caused by moisture, detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and leaving the door closed between washes.
How do you get rid of mildew smell in a washing machine? Clean the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the detergent dispenser, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner, and leave the door open between washes. Clean monthly to prevent recurrence.
Does vinegar remove mildew smell from a washing machine? Yes. White vinegar kills the mold and bacteria that cause mildew smell. Add 2 cups to the detergent dispenser and run the hottest cycle. For best results, add half a cup of baking soda to the drum.
How do you prevent mildew smell in a washing machine? Leave the door open between washes, use 2 tablespoons of HE detergent, don’t use fabric softener, use hot water for at least one load per week, remove clothes promptly, and clean monthly with affresh.
Can mildew smell transfer from washer to clothes? Yes. If your washer has mildew, the odor can transfer to your clothes during washing. To remove the smell from clothes, wash with 1 cup of vinegar and enzyme detergent in hot water, add baking soda, and dry in the sun.
References
- Tide. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “How to Fix a Mildew Smell in Your Washer.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Washing Machine Odor Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- affresh. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.
