How to Clean Washer Smell Safely and Thoroughly

Your washer smells bad. Maybe it’s a musty, sour, or mildew smell. The odor transfers to your clothes and makes them smell bad too. A smelly washer is caused by bacteria, mold, and mildew growing in the drum, gasket, and detergent dispenser. Here’s how to clean washer smell safely and thoroughly.

A smelly washer is caused by bacteria, mold, and mildew growing in warm, damp areas of the machine. The main problem areas are the rubber gasket (front-loaders), detergent dispenser, drum, and filter. Odors are caused by trapped moisture, detergent residue, and fabric softener buildup. Front-loading machines are more prone to odors because the door seals tightly.

To clean washer smell, use affresh monthly, clean the gasket and dispenser weekly, run a vinegar cycle, run a baking soda cycle, leave the door open between loads, and use the right amount of detergent. Don’t use too much detergent, don’t use fabric softener, and don’t close the door after use.

What Works

Use affresh Monthly

Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly. Run an empty hot cycle with 1 tablet. affresh removes odor-causing residue, mold, and mildew.

Clean the Gasket Weekly (Front-Loaders)

The rubber gasket on front-loading machines traps water, hair, and debris. Wipe it weekly with a cloth and white vinegar. Check for mold and remove it with an old toothbrush.

Clean the Detergent Dispenser Weekly

Remove the detergent dispenser and wash it with warm water and dish soap. Dry it before replacing.

Run a Vinegar Cycle

Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. Vinegar kills bacteria and removes mineral buildup.

Run a Baking Soda Cycle

Run an empty hot cycle with half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda. Baking soda absorbs odors.

Clean the Filter Monthly

Check and clean the filter monthly. A clogged filter traps debris and causes odors.

Leave the Door Open Between Loads

Leave the door open between loads to let the drum dry. This prevents mold and mildew.

Use the Right Amount of Detergent

Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per regular load. Too much detergent causes residue buildup that feeds bacteria.

Use HE Detergent in HE Machines

Regular detergent produces too many suds and leaves residue in HE machines.

Don’t Use Fabric Softener

Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue that traps odors. Use vinegar instead.

Use the Right Products

For stains: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

For odors: Arm and Hammer Baking Soda, Lysol Laundry Sanitizer

For ink: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

Deep Cleaning a Smelly Washer

Step 1: Clean the Gasket

Wipe the rubber gasket with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Remove any mold with an old toothbrush.

Step 2: Clean the Dispenser

Remove the dispenser and soak in warm water with dish soap for 30 minutes. Scrub and dry.

Step 3: Run a Vinegar Cycle

Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar.

Step 4: Run a Baking Soda Cycle

Run an empty hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda.

Step 5: Run an affresh Cycle

Run an empty hot cycle with 1 affresh tablet.

Step 6: Clean the Filter

Remove and clean the filter.

Step 7: Leave the Door Open

Leave the door open for 24 hours to let the machine dry completely.

What to Avoid

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

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue that traps odors. Use vinegar instead.

Don’t close the door after use. Closing the door traps moisture and promotes mold growth.

Don’t use non-HE detergent in HE machines. Regular detergent produces too many suds and leaves residue.

Don’t skip monthly cleaning. A dirty machine transfers odors to clothes.

Don’t ignore the gasket. The gasket is the main source of odors in front-loading machines.

Don’t ignore the filter. A clogged filter traps debris and causes odors.

FAQ

How do you clean a smelly washer? Use affresh monthly, clean the gasket and dispenser weekly, run a vinegar cycle and a baking soda cycle, clean the filter monthly, leave the door open between loads, and use the right amount of detergent.

Why does my washer smell bad? Bacteria, mold, and mildew grow in warm, damp areas of the machine. The main causes are trapped moisture, detergent residue, and fabric softener buildup.

Does vinegar clean a smelly washer? Yes. Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. Vinegar kills bacteria and removes mineral buildup.

Does baking soda clean a smelly washer? Yes. Run an empty hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda. Baking soda absorbs odors.

How do you prevent a washer from smelling? Leave the door open between loads, use the right amount of HE detergent, don’t use fabric softener, clean with affresh monthly, and clean the gasket and dispenser weekly.

References

1. Consumer Reports. “Washing Machine Odor Guide.” consumerreports.org.
2. The Spruce. “Smelly Washer Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. affresh. “Machine Cleaner Guide.” affresh.com.