What Should You Do If Your Washing Machine Smells Bad? 8 Cleaning Tricks That Help

A smelly washing machine is almost always a moisture and residue problem, not a sign that your clothes are dirty. Soap scum, fabric softener, lint, and small amounts of standing water create a film where mold and bacteria grow. The good news is that most odors can be removed with a few simple cleaning steps and better habits.

What is happening

Front-loading machines are more prone to odor because water can sit in the rubber door seal and the drain area. Top-loaders can also smell if detergent or softener builds up. The smell is usually musty or like mildew, and it often transfers to your laundry.

Step by step: 8 cleaning tricks that help

1. Run a hot cleaning cycle. With the drum empty, add 2 cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser or directly to the drum. Run the hottest, longest cycle your machine allows. For a stronger clean, use a commercial washing machine cleaner and follow the label directions. Never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach, because the combination can release harmful gas.
2. Clean the rubber door seal. Pull back the rubber gasket on a front-loader and wipe away dark film, lint, and standing water with a cloth dampened with a vinegar-and-water solution. Check the small drain holes in the seal and clear them if blocked.
3. Remove and wash the detergent drawer. Most drawers pull out after pressing a release tab. Soak it in warm soapy water, scrub the dispenser housing with an old toothbrush, and rinse well.
4. Clean the lint filter or pump filter. On many front-loaders there is a small access door near the bottom. Place a towel and shallow pan underneath, open it slowly, and remove lint and debris. Water will drain out, so be ready for it.
5. Wipe the drum and door glass. Use a damp cloth to remove residue from the inside of the drum and the door window. Dry both surfaces afterward.
6. Check and clean the drain hose. A kinked or partially blocked drain hose can leave water behind. If you are comfortable doing so, inspect it for kinks. Have a technician clean or replace it if it is clogged.
7. Run a second rinse cycle. After cleaning, run an empty rinse cycle to flush away loosened debris and cleaner residue.
8. Dry the machine out. Leave the door and detergent drawer open after every load so air can circulate. Wipe the door seal dry if it holds water.

What NOT to do

• Do not mix vinegar and chlorine bleach in the same cycle.
• Do not pour bleach directly onto rubber seals, because it can damage them.
• Do not use more detergent than the label recommends, and use HE detergent in high-efficiency machines.
• Do not leave wet laundry sitting in the drum for hours after the cycle ends.
• Do not ignore a persistent smell, because it can mean a drainage or mechanical problem.

When to call for help

Call a qualified appliance technician if the smell continues after a full cleaning, if water does not drain properly, if you see standing water in the drum, or if the machine leaks. These can point to a blocked drain pump, a faulty hose, or another repair that is not a cleaning issue.

How to prevent it

Use the right amount of detergent, run a hot cleaning cycle once a month, leave the door open between loads, remove laundry promptly, and wipe the door seal regularly. These habits keep moisture and residue from building up.

Start with the hot vinegar cycle and a thorough wipe-down of the seal, drawer, and filter. If the odor returns quickly, have the machine inspected.