How to Clean a Smelly Clothes Washer Safely and Thoroughly
How to Clean a Smelly Clothes Washer Safely and Thoroughly
Your clothes washer smells and you want to fix it. Maybe you notice a musty odor when you open the door, your clothes come out smelling musty, or you see black spots in the rubber seal. A smelly clothes washer is caused by mold, mildew, and detergent residue that build up inside the machine. Here’s how to clean a smelly clothes washer safely and thoroughly.
A smelly clothes washer is caused by mold and mildew growing inside the machine due to trapped moisture, detergent residue, and poor air circulation. The smell is produced by mold spores and bacteria that thrive in the warm, damp environment inside the washer. The key to removing the smell is killing the mold (affresh, vinegar, hot water), removing the residue (baking soda, scrubbing), and preventing regrowth (leaving the door open, using less detergent).
To clean a smelly clothes washer, run a hot cycle with affresh, run a second cycle with vinegar and baking soda, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the dispenser, clean the filter, and leave the door open. For ongoing prevention, use less detergent, don’t use fabric softener, remove clothes promptly, and clean monthly. Don’t use chlorine bleach, don’t close the door between loads, and don’t use too much detergent.
What Causes a Smelly Clothes Washer
Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew grow inside the washer due to trapped moisture. They produce a musty odor and can cause black spots in the rubber seal and drum.
Detergent Residue
Excess detergent leaves residue inside the washer that feeds mold and bacteria. Using too much detergent is a common cause of washer odor.
Fabric Softener Residue
Fabric softener leaves a waxy residue inside the washer that feeds mold and bacteria. It also coats the drum and dispenser.
Trapped Moisture
Closing the washer door between loads traps moisture inside, creating the perfect environment for mold and bacteria.
Dirty Rubber Seal
The rubber seal around the door traps water, debris, and mold. It’s the most common source of washer odor.
Dirty Dispenser
The detergent dispenser can trap detergent, fabric softener, and water, leading to mold and odors.
Clogged Filter
A clogged filter can trap debris and water, causing odors and drainage problems.
Step-by-Step: Cleaning a Smelly Clothes Washer
Step 1: Run a Hot Cycle with affresh
Place one tablet of affresh Washing Machine Cleaner directly in the washer drum. Set the washer to the hottest water setting and the longest cycle. Run the cycle empty. affresh breaks down residue and kills mold.
Step 2: Run a Second Cycle with Vinegar and Baking Soda
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser and half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda into the drum. Run an empty hot cycle. The vinegar kills remaining mold spores and the baking soda absorbs odors.
Step 3: Wipe the Rubber Seal
Wipe the rubber seal with a cloth soaked in white vinegar. Pull back the folds and wipe inside. Remove any visible mold or debris. This is the most important step for removing washer odor.
Step 4: Clean the Detergent Dispenser
Remove the detergent dispenser. Soak it in hot water with white vinegar for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and replace.
Step 5: Clean the Filter
Open the filter access panel (front loaders). Place a towel to catch water. Remove the filter and clean it with a toothbrush. Replace the filter.
Step 6: Wipe the Drum
Wipe the drum with a cloth soaked in vinegar to remove any remaining residue.
Step 7: Wipe the Door Glass (Front Loaders)
Wipe the door glass with a cloth soaked in vinegar.
Step 8: Leave the Door Open
Leave the door or lid open to allow the machine to dry completely. This is the most important step for preventing the smell from returning.
Products Guide
Machine Cleaner
Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner. Place one tablet in the drum and run a hot cycle. affresh breaks down residue and kills mold.
White Vinegar
Use white vinegar to kill mold spores, remove odors, and wipe the rubber seal and dispenser. Pour 2 cups into the dispenser for a cleaning cycle.
Baking Soda
Use Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to absorb odors. Add half a cup to the drum for cleaning cycles.
Detergent for Regular Use
Use Tide Free and Gentle for washing clothes. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load.
Stain Removers for Clothes
Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for most stains.
Use Dawn Ultra Dish Soap for grease.
Use Shout Advanced Grease Busting Foam for food stains.
Use Amodex Ink and Stain Remover for ink.
Disinfectant for Clothes
Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for disinfecting clothes.
Timing Guide
| Task | When | How Often |
|---|---|---|
| Deep clean with affresh | Monthly | Monthly |
| Vinegar and baking soda cycle | Monthly | Monthly |
| Wipe rubber seal | Weekly | Weekly |
| Clean dispenser | Monthly | Monthly |
| Clean filter | Every 3 months | Quarterly |
| Leave door open | After every load | Every load |
How to Prevent a Smelly Clothes Washer
Leave the Door Open
Leave the door or lid open between loads to allow the inside to dry. This is the most important step for preventing odors.
Use Less Detergent
Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold and bacteria.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener
Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold and bacteria. Use white vinegar instead.
Use HE Detergent Only (Front Loaders)
Use HE detergent only in front loaders. Regular detergent causes oversudsing and residue.
Remove Clothes Promptly
Remove clothes as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting inside the washer.
Wipe the Seal After Every Load
Wipe the rubber seal after every load to remove trapped water and debris.
Clean Monthly
Clean the washer monthly with affresh to prevent mold and odors.
Use Vinegar in Every Rinse
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse for every load. Vinegar removes detergent residue and deodorizes.
What Not to Do
Don’t use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can damage the rubber seal and drum. Use affresh and vinegar instead.
Don’t close the door between loads. Closing the door traps moisture and causes mold and odors. Leave the door open.
Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold and bacteria. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons.
Don’t use fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold and bacteria. Use white vinegar instead.
Don’t use regular detergent in HE washers. Regular detergent causes oversudsing and residue in HE washers. Use HE detergent.
Don’t leave wet clothes sitting. Leaving wet clothes inside the washer causes mold and odors. Remove promptly.
Don’t ignore the rubber seal. The rubber seal is the most common source of washer odor. Wipe it weekly.
Don’t mix vinegar and bleach. Mixing vinegar with chlorine bleach creates toxic chlorine gas. Never mix the two.
FAQ
How do you clean a smelly clothes washer? Run a hot cycle with affresh, run a second cycle with vinegar and baking soda, wipe the rubber seal with vinegar, clean the dispenser, clean the filter, and leave the door open.
Why does my clothes washer smell? Your clothes washer smells because mold and mildew grow inside due to trapped moisture, detergent residue, and poor air circulation. The smell is produced by mold spores and bacteria.
How do you prevent a smelly clothes washer? Leave the door open between loads, use less detergent (1 to 2 tablespoons), don’t use fabric softener, use HE detergent, remove clothes promptly, wipe the seal after every load, and clean monthly with affresh.
What is the best cleaner for a smelly washer? affresh Washing Machine Cleaner is the best cleaner. Place one tablet in the drum and run a hot cycle. Follow with a vinegar and baking soda cycle for extra cleaning.
Does vinegar remove washer odor? Yes. White vinegar kills mold spores and removes odors. Pour 2 cups into the dispenser and run an empty hot cycle. Wipe the rubber seal with vinegar for extra odor removal.
References
- affresh. “Odor Removal Guide.” affresh.com.
- The Spruce. “How to Clean a Smelly Washer.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Washer Odor Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- Tide. “Machine Care Guide.” tide.com.
