How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Washer Safely and Thoroughly

Your washer smells like mildew. Maybe you notice a musty smell when you open the door, or your clothes come out smelling damp. Mildew smell in a washer is caused by mold growing in the damp environment inside the machine. Here’s how to get mildew smell out of your washer safely and thoroughly.

Mildew smell in a washer is caused by mold and bacteria growing in the damp environment inside the drum, rubber seal, and dispenser. Mold thrives in warm, humid environments and feeds on detergent residue and fabric softener buildup. The key to removing mildew smell is killing the mold (vinegar or affresh), removing the buildup (baking soda), and preventing it from coming back (leaving the door open).

To get mildew smell out of your washer, run an empty hot cycle with affresh or 2 cups of vinegar and half a cup of baking soda, clean the rubber seal and dispenser, wipe the drum, clean the filter, and leave the door open. Don’t use bleach, don’t close the door, and don’t use too much detergent.

Step-by-Step: Removing Mildew Smell from Your Washer

Step 1: Run an Empty Hot Cycle with affresh

Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner in the washer drum. Set the machine to the hottest water setting and the longest cycle. Start the machine. The tablet kills mold, removes residue, and eliminates odors.

Step 2: Clean the Rubber Seal

After the cycle, wipe the rubber seal around the door with a cloth soaked in warm water and vinegar. Check the folds of the seal for mold. Use an old toothbrush to scrub any visible mold. The rubber seal is the most common hiding spot for mildew.

Step 3: Clean the Dispenser Drawer

Remove the detergent dispenser drawer. Soak it in warm water with Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for 15 minutes. Scrub with an old toothbrush to remove buildup. Rinse and replace.

Step 4: Wipe the Drum

Wipe the inside of the drum with a clean cloth soaked in warm water and vinegar.

Step 5: Clean the Filter

Locate the filter (usually at the bottom front of the machine). Place a towel underneath. Remove the filter cap. Clean with an old toothbrush. Replace.

Step 6: Leave the Door Open

Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry. This is the most important step for preventing mildew.

Alternative Method: Vinegar and Baking Soda

Step 1: Add Vinegar

Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser or directly to the drum.

Step 2: Add Baking Soda

Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to the drum.

Step 3: Run an Empty Hot Cycle

Set the machine to the hottest water setting and the longest cycle. Start and let it run.

Step 4: Wipe and Clean

After the cycle, wipe the seal, dispenser, drum, and filter as described above.

For Stubborn Mildew Smell

Run Two Cycles

If the mildew smell persists after one cleaning cycle, run a second cycle. Use affresh for the first and vinegar and baking soda for the second.

Soak the Seal

For severe mold on the rubber seal, soak a cloth in vinegar and lay it on the seal for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush.

Use Lysol for Disinfecting

Add Lysol Laundry Sanitizer to an empty cycle for extra disinfecting.

Clean Twice Monthly

For severe mildew problems, clean the machine twice monthly until the smell is gone, then switch to monthly cleaning.

Use the Right Products for Laundry

Detergent: Tide Free and Gentle

Stain removers: OxiClean Max Force Spray, Dawn Ultra Dish Soap, Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam

Ink remover: Amodex Ink and Stain Remover

How to Prevent Mildew Smell

Leave the Door Open

Leave the washer door or lid open between loads to allow the drum to dry. This is the single most important step.

Clean Monthly

Clean the machine monthly with affresh or vinegar and baking soda to prevent mold buildup.

Use the Right Amount of Detergent

Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load. Too much detergent leaves residue that feeds mold.

Don’t Use Fabric Softener

Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue that feeds mold. Use vinegar instead.

Wipe the Seal After Each Load

Wipe the rubber seal after each load with a dry cloth to remove moisture.

Remove Clothes Promptly

Remove clothes from the washer as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting.

Use HE Detergent in HE Washers

Use HE detergent in HE washers. Regular detergent produces too many suds, which leave residue.

What Not to Do

Don’t use bleach. Bleach can damage rubber seals and gaskets. Use affresh or vinegar instead.

Don’t close the door between loads. Closing the door traps moisture and causes mold. Leave the door open.

Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold. Use the recommended amount.

Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves residue. Use vinegar instead.

Don’t skip monthly cleaning. Monthly cleaning prevents mold and odors.

Don’t ignore the rubber seal. The rubber seal is where most mold hides. Clean it regularly.

FAQ

How do you get mildew smell out of a washer? Run an empty hot cycle with one affresh tablet, clean the rubber seal and dispenser, wipe the drum, clean the filter, and leave the door open. Repeat if needed.

Why does your washer smell like mildew? Your washer smells like mildew because of mold growing in the damp environment inside the drum, rubber seal, and dispenser. Causes include leaving the door closed, using too much detergent, and using fabric softener.

Does vinegar remove mildew smell from a washer? Yes. White vinegar kills mold and removes odors. Add 2 cups to the dispenser or drum and run an empty hot cycle with half a cup of baking soda.

How often should you clean your washer to prevent mildew? Clean your washer monthly with affresh or vinegar and baking soda. Wipe the rubber seal after each load and leave the door open between loads.

What is the best product for mildew smell in a washer? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the best product. It kills mold, removes residue, and eliminates odors in one hot cycle. Use one tablet monthly.

References

1. Tide. “Washer Odor Guide.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Mildew in Washer Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Washer Cleaning Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. affresh. “Cleaning Guide.” affresh.com.