Why Does My Washing Machine Smell?

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell?

We take great pride in keeping our clothes clean at home. It’s a simple job. We always take care to keep the clothes as spotless as we can. Our washing machine does, however, occasionally smell awful. A dirty washing machine seems a bit contradictory. Warm water, soap, bleach, and other cleaning agents are continuously poured into a washing machine to remove stains and odors from your clothing. But somehow it can cause in terrible smell from your washing machine.

It’s time to give your washing machine a much-needed cleaning if it’s filthy and emitting a nasty mildew smell. Therefore, roll up your sleeves, get some rubber gloves, and start cleaning your filthy washing machine before you call your repairman to check on your washer for leaks or other issues.

What are the Reasons That Cause Smells in Your Washing Machine?

There are following reasons for that.

1. Bad smell in your washing machine is caused by the growth of bacteria from lint, soap, mold, mildew, or dirt left in the machine. Or a gas leak emits an odor similar to sulfur or rotten eggs.
2. A heat and water buildup in the machine that is never vented or cleaned away causes mildew and musty smells.
3. Cold water conserves energy but doesn’t produce the heat required to remove residue, so if you frequently use fantastic wash cycles, you’re giving germs a place to grow.
4. Any location that experiences continual moisture and wetness can eventually acquire a smell. In moist places with little light and where stagnant water can accumulate, mold and mildew can quickly grow.
5. Poor drainage or something obstructing the drainage tubes can cause strong odors.

Items you need to clean washing machine

1. Water
2. Bleach
3. Baking soda
4. White vinegar
5. Rubber Gloves
6. Old toothbrush
7. Essential Oil
8. Sponge or scrub brush

Step 1: Scrubbing

Start by taking out and cleaning every dispenser of soap, bleach, and fabric softener. To thoroughly clean the gaps and corners, use the corner of your sponge or an old toothbrush to get inside them. If you can access the dispensers’ pipes, clean out the accumulation there.

Step 2: Sanitize with Chlorine Bleach

Start a cycle after adding 2 cups of bleach to a front loader or 4 cups to a top loader. The washer should be set to the highest temperature setting. Once the agitator has thoroughly blended the bleach, let the tub fill and end the wash cycle. Restart the cycle once the bleach water has been left to stand for 30 minutes. There should be no bleach left behind after one more rinse cycle.

Step 3: Baking Soda & Vinegar Wash

1. Add 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of baking soda to the detergent container on your machine.
2. Use two cups for a front-load type or four cups for a top-load machine of plain white vinegar (not apple cider vinegar).
3. Fill the drum with the vinegar.
4. Activate the high-temperature cycle.

Step 4: Rinse Out the Drum

Use a service wash to clean the drum thoroughly when the vinegar wash is finished. Hot water is used to clean the appliance’s interior in a service wash, also known as a maintenance wash or self-cleaning cycle.

Step 5: Clean Out the Pipes

Unpleasant odours can be produced by clogged or dirty pipes, particularly sewage-like odours. Some of the pipes need to be cleaned up, so go to it. You ought to try cleaning the p-trap first. This pipe should be cleaned and the odours removed with just one gallon of water. If the smell doesn’t go away, call a plumber. It’s also necessary to clear out the drain line. You should speak with a plumber so they can use sewer equipment to clear this.

Step 6: Clean the Detergent Dispenser

1. Take the drawer out.
2. To soak the drawer for about an hour, fill a basin with hot, soapy water.
3. To remove loosening dirt and debris, scrape with an old toothbrush.
4. Use a pipe cleaner to remove stuck dirt from the pipes behind the machine’s drawer.
5. Thoroughly air dry the drawer.
6. Clean the nooks where the drawer fits before reinstalling it with a surface cleaner or vinegar spray from step one.
7. Replace the drawer.

Step 7: Leave the Door Open

Remove your clothing after a cycle and keep the door ajar so moisture may escape and the drum can finish drying.

Step 8: Use Essential Oil

Use essential oil as a gentle disinfectant and odor eliminator on the seal.

How to Get Rid of Smell in Top-Load and Front-Load Washing Machines?

Here we have easy steps to get rid of smell in top and front load washing machine.

Step 1: Start your cycle in the hottest setting.

Step 2: To dissolve, a half-cup of baking soda should be added to the flowing water.

Step 3: Add 4 cups of white vinegar, then complete the cycle.

Step 4: After the cycle, use equal parts white vinegar and water to remove any last stains.

Step 5: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the drum is cleaned automatically if that option is available, as it is on some newer machines.

Tips for Keeping Your Washing Machine Free from Smell

1. Between loads, keep the door on your washing machine open to let excess moisture out and prevent mildew growth.
2. Always take out damp clothing as soon as a wash cycle is ended. A delay end option is beneficial in this situation.
3. Clean the pump filter and lint filter frequently.
4. Utilize detergents with high efficiency (HE). HE detergents reduce soap scum buildup in High-Efficiency appliances, notably front-loading washers.
5. Periodically clean the gasket seal. The gasket is most likely to blame for washing machine scents. To keep your laundry room and clothes fresh, it is crucial to clean and sanitise it.
6. Use the Autowash feature. Washing machine autowash settings can assist in preventing this from happening. To preserve the greatest performance, conduct an Autowash every few months.