Why Does My Washing Machine Stink?
Why Does My Washing Machine Stink?
Your washing machine stinks. Maybe it’s a musty, sour, or mildew smell. The odor transfers to your clothes and makes them smell bad too. You want to know why and how to fix it. Here’s why your washing machine stinks and how to fix it.
A washing machine stinks due to 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, fabric softener buildup, and not leaving the door open. Front-loading machines are more prone to odors because the door seals tightly.
To fix a stinky washing machine, identify the source, clean with 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 HE detergent. Don’t use fabric softener, don’t use too much detergent, and don’t close the door after use.
Why Your Washing Machine Stinks
Trapped Moisture
Moisture gets trapped in the drum, gasket, and dispenser after washing. If the door is closed, the moisture can’t evaporate, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and mold.
Detergent Residue
Using too much detergent leaves residue in the drum and dispenser. The residue feeds bacteria and causes odors.
Fabric Softener Buildup
Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue in the drum and dispenser. The residue traps odors and feeds bacteria.
Mold in the Gasket
The rubber gasket on front-loading machines traps water, hair, and debris. Mold grows in the folds of the gasket.
Clogged Filter
A clogged filter traps debris, hair, and lint. The trapped material rots and causes odors.
Hard Water Minerals
Hard water leaves mineral deposits in the drum and pipes. The minerals trap residue and cause odors.
Cold Water Washes
Cold water washes don’t dissolve detergent as well as hot water. Undissolved detergent leaves residue that causes odors.
Not Leaving the Door Open
Closing the door after use traps moisture. This is the most common cause of washing machine odors.
How to Fix a Stinky Washing Machine
Step 1: Clean the Gasket
Wipe the rubber gasket (front-loaders) with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Remove mold with an old toothbrush.
Step 2: Clean the Dispenser
Remove the detergent 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 Arm and Hammer Baking Soda.
Step 5: Run an affresh Cycle
Run an empty hot cycle with 1 affresh Washing Machine Cleaner 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.
How to Prevent a Stinky Washing Machine
Leave the Door Open Between Loads
Leave the door open between loads to let the drum dry. This is the most important step.
Use the Right Amount of HE Detergent
Use 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per regular load. Too much detergent causes residue buildup.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener
Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue that traps odors. Use vinegar instead.
Clean with affresh Monthly
Use affresh monthly to remove odor-causing residue, mold, and mildew.
Clean the Gasket Weekly
Wipe the gasket weekly with vinegar.
Clean the Dispenser Weekly
Remove and clean the dispenser weekly.
Clean the Filter Monthly
Check and clean the filter monthly.
Use Hot Water Occasionally
Run a hot water cycle occasionally to dissolve residue. Cold water washes leave more residue.
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
FAQ
Why does my washing machine stink? Bacteria, mold, and mildew grow in warm, damp areas of the machine. The main causes are trapped moisture, detergent residue, fabric softener buildup, and not leaving the door open.
How do you fix a stinky washing machine? Clean the gasket and dispenser, run a vinegar cycle and a baking soda cycle, use affresh monthly, clean the filter, leave the door open between loads, and use the right amount of HE detergent.
How do you prevent a washing machine from stinking? 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.
Does vinegar fix a stinky washing machine? Yes. Run an empty hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar. Vinegar kills bacteria and removes mineral buildup.
Does affresh fix a stinky washing machine? Yes. Run an empty hot cycle with 1 affresh tablet monthly. affresh removes odor-causing residue, mold, and mildew.
References
- Consumer Reports. “Washing Machine Odor Guide.” consumerreports.org.
- The Spruce. “Smelly Washing Machine Guide.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- affresh. “Machine Cleaner Guide.” affresh.com.
