How to Remove Bad Smell from Washing Machine Safely and Thoroughly
How to Remove Bad Smell from Washing Machine Safely and Thoroughly
Your washing machine smells bad 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 bad smell from a washing machine is caused by mold, mildew, and detergent residue. Here’s how to remove bad smell from a washing machine safely and thoroughly.
A bad smell from a washing machine is caused by mold, mildew, bacteria, and detergent residue that build up inside the drum, rubber seal, dispenser, and filter. 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 remove bad smell from a washing machine, 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. Don’t use chlorine bleach, don’t close the door between loads, and don’t use too much detergent.
Step-by-Step: Removing Bad Smell from a Washing Machine
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.
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.
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.
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 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. Replace.
Step 6: Leave the Door Open
Leave the door or lid open to allow the machine to dry completely.
Products Guide
Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner for monthly cleaning.
Use white vinegar to kill mold spores and remove odors.
Use Arm and Hammer Baking Soda to absorb odors.
Use Tide Free and Gentle for washing clothes. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load.
Use OxiClean Max Force Spray for 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.
Use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer for disinfecting.
How to Prevent Bad Smell in a Washing Machine
Leave the Door Open
Leave the door or lid open between loads to allow the inside to dry.
Use Less Detergent
Use 1 to 2 tablespoons of Tide Free and Gentle per load. Excess detergent feeds mold and bacteria.
Don’t Use Fabric Softener
Fabric softener leaves residue that feeds mold. Use white vinegar instead.
Remove Clothes Promptly
Remove clothes as soon as the cycle ends. Don’t leave wet clothes sitting.
Clean Monthly
Clean the washer monthly with affresh to prevent mold and odors.
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. Leave the door open.
Don’t use too much detergent. Excess detergent feeds mold and bacteria. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons.
Don’t mix vinegar and bleach. Mixing vinegar with chlorine bleach creates toxic chlorine gas. Never mix the two.
FAQ
How do you remove bad smell from a washing machine? 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 washing machine smell bad? Your washing machine smells bad because mold, mildew, bacteria, and detergent residue build up inside due to trapped moisture and poor air circulation.
How do you prevent bad smell in a washing machine? Leave the door open between loads, use less detergent, don’t use fabric softener, remove clothes promptly, wipe the seal after every load, and clean monthly with affresh.
What is the best cleaner for a smelly washing machine? 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.
References
- affresh. “Odor Removal Guide.” affresh.com.
- The Spruce. “How to Remove Smell from Washing Machine.” thespruce.com.
- Good Housekeeping. “Washer Odor Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
- Tide. “Machine Care Guide.” tide.com.
