How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine Safely and Thoroughly

Your washing machine smells musty. You open the door and a sour, mildew smell hits you. The odor is transferring to your clothes, and even freshly washed laundry doesn’t smell clean. A smelly washing machine has mold and bacteria growing inside, usually in the rubber seal, detergent dispenser, or drum. But you can clean it. Here’s how to clean a smelly washing machine safely and thoroughly.

A smelly washing machine is a washer with mold and bacteria growing in the drum, rubber seal, detergent dispenser, or internal components. The smell is caused by moisture, detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and leaving the door closed between washes. Cleaning requires removing the source of the smell and preventing it from coming back.

To clean a smelly 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. Don’t use too much detergent, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t close the door between washes.

Where the Smell Comes From

The Rubber Seal (Front Loaders)

The rubber seal around the door is the most common source of smell. Water collects in the folds, creating a warm, moist environment where mold thrives.

How to clean: Pull back the folds 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 paste of Arm and Hammer 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 in warm water with vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse 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 baking soda to the drum. Run the hottest and longest cycle.

The Filter

Some washers have a filter at the bottom front that collects debris and causes odors.

How to clean: Check your manual for the filter location. Remove and clean it.

Step-by-Step: Cleaning a Smelly Washing Machine

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 with no clothes.

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.

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 Washer Odor

Leave the door open between washes. This is the single most important step.

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. 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.

Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer. Add to the rinse for heavily soiled loads.

What Not to Do

Don’t close the door between washes. Closing the door traps moisture and promotes mold growth.

Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent feeds bacteria and causes residue.

Don’t use fabric softener. It coats the drum and seal with waxy residue.

Don’t use cold water for every load. Cold water doesn’t kill bacteria. Use hot water for at least one load per week.

Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer.

Don’t skip monthly cleaning.

Don’t mix chlorine bleach and vinegar. Mixing them creates toxic chlorine gas.

FAQ

How do you clean a smelly 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.

Why does my washing machine smell? Your washing machine smells 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.

Does vinegar clean a smelly washing machine? Yes. White vinegar kills bacteria and mold, removes residue, and deodorizes. 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 and use affresh monthly.

How do you prevent a smelly 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.

How often should you clean your washing machine? Monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in a hot cycle. Also clean the detergent dispenser and rubber seal monthly. Clean the filter every 3 months.

References

1. Tide. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Clean a Smelly Washer.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Washing Machine Odor Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. affresh. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.