Smelly Washing Machine: Settings, Products, and Timing
Smelly Washing Machine: Settings, Products, and Timing
Your washing machine smells. Every time you open the door, there’s a musty or sour odor. And now your clothes are starting to smell too. A smelly washing machine is a common problem, especially with HE (High Efficiency) machines that use less water. But you can fix it with the right settings, products, and timing. Here’s how.
A smelly washing machine is a washer that has developed a musty or sour odor caused by bacteria and mold growing on detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and trapped moisture. The smell comes from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by bacteria and mold. Fixing a smelly machine requires removing the buildup, killing the bacteria, and preventing regrowth.
To fix a smelly washing machine, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar, run a second hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda, wipe the rubber seal and dispenser, leave the door open between washes, and use affresh monthly. Use hot water for at least one load per week and use 2 tablespoons of detergent per load.
Settings
Use the Hottest Water Setting
Hot water kills bacteria and dissolves residue. Run cleaning cycles on the hottest setting. For regular laundry, use hot water for at least one load per week.
Use the Self-Clean Cycle (If Available)
Some machines have a self-clean or tub-clean cycle. Use it monthly with affresh or vinegar.
Use the Extra Rinse Option
Add an extra rinse to remove more detergent residue. This is especially helpful for HE machines.
Use the Right Water Level
For top-load machines, use the highest water level for cleaning cycles. More water helps dissolve and flush away residue.
Products
White Vinegar
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run the hottest cycle. Vinegar kills bacteria, dissolves mineral deposits, and removes odors.
Baking Soda
Pour half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda into the drum and run the hottest cycle. Baking soda neutralizes acids and absorbs odors.
affresh Washing Machine Cleaner
Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly. Place one tablet in the drum and run the hottest cycle. affresh is designed specifically for washing machine cleaning.
Tide Free and Gentle
Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load. Using less detergent prevents residue buildup.
Lysol Laundry Sanitizer
Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to the rinse for heavily soiled loads. It kills bacteria.
OxiClean Max Force Spray
Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for stain pre-treatment. Prevent food and sweat residue from building up.
Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
Use Dawn Ultra Dish Soap to clean the dispenser and rubber seal.
Timing
Monthly: Deep Clean
Run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar, then a hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda. Or use one affresh tablet in a hot cycle.
Weekly: Hot Water Load
Run at least one hot water load per week to kill bacteria in the machine.
After Every Load: Leave Door Open
Leave the door and dispenser open after every load to let the machine dry.
Every Week: Wipe the Seal
Wipe the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in vinegar and water every week.
Every Month: Clean the Dispenser
Remove the detergent dispenser and soak it in hot water with dish soap. Scrub with an old toothbrush.
Step-by-Step: Fixing a Smelly Washing Machine
Step 1: Clean the Dispenser
Remove the dispenser and soak in hot water with Dawn dish soap for 30 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush, rinse, and replace.
Step 2: Wipe the Rubber Seal
Wipe the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in equal parts vinegar and water. Pull back the folds to clean underneath.
Step 3: Run a Vinegar Cycle
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run the hottest cycle with no clothes.
Step 4: Run a Baking Soda Cycle
Pour half a cup of baking soda into the drum. Run the hottest cycle with no clothes.
Step 5: Use affresh Monthly
For ongoing maintenance, use one affresh tablet in the drum and run the hottest cycle monthly.
Step 6: Leave the Door Open
Leave the door and dispenser open between washes.
What Not to Do
Don’t use too much detergent. Use 2 tablespoons per load. Excess detergent feeds bacteria.
Don’t use fabric softener. It coats the drum and seal with waxy residue. Use vinegar instead.
Don’t close the door between washes. Trapped moisture causes mold.
Don’t use cold water for every load. Cold water doesn’t kill bacteria. Use hot water weekly.
Don’t use chlorine bleach in the drum. It can damage rubber seals. Use vinegar or affresh.
Don’t mix vinegar and chlorine bleach. Mixing them creates toxic chlorine gas.
FAQ
How do you fix a smelly washing machine? Clean the dispenser, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar and water, run a hot cycle with 2 cups of vinegar, run a second hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda, and use affresh monthly. Leave the door open between washes.
Why does my washing machine smell? Common causes: too much detergent, fabric softener buildup, trapped moisture (closed door), hard water minerals, and a dirty dispenser or rubber seal. The smell comes from bacteria and mold growing on the buildup.
How often should you clean your washing machine? Monthly. Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in a hot cycle. Also clean the dispenser monthly, wipe the rubber seal weekly, and leave the door open between washes.
Does vinegar clean a smelly washing machine? Yes. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run the hottest cycle with no clothes. Vinegar kills bacteria, dissolves mineral deposits, and removes odors.
How do you prevent a smelly washing machine? Use 2 tablespoons of detergent per load, don’t use fabric softener, leave the door open between washes, use hot water for at least one load per week, and clean monthly with affresh.
References
- Tide. “How to Clean a Washing Machine.” tide.com.
- The Spruce. “Smelly Washing Machine Guide.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Washing Machine Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- affresh. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.
