How do I freshen a smelly washing machine?

Author: Camille Kub  |  Last update: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Baking soda and vinegar: For both top-load and front-load washers, start by adding 1/4 cup of baking soda directly into the washer drum. Then, pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a hot wash cycle without any laundry.

How do I get rid of the horrible smell in my washing machine?

Use Vinegar and Baking Soda: Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum. Add 1 cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run a hot water cycle (usually the clean cycle if your machine has one). Commercial Cleaners: Alternatively, you can use a washing machine cleaner designed to remove odors and residue.

How do I freshen the inside of my washing machine?

For a homemade option, you can try cleaning your washing machine with vinegar. Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting.

Is it better to use bleach or vinegar to clean a washing machine?

“For removing odors, I would say vinegar.” Some people, however, prefer white vinegar because it's not as harsh as bleach. Unless, of course, your washing machine has been completely neglected, and is now a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and you want a power cleaner.

How to freshen up a washing machine?

Just pour two cups of distilled vinegar into your detergent drawer. You can also use soda crystals (or baking soda) to clean your washing machine. Sprinkle half a cup into your drum and then let your washing machine run on a hot setting. Simple!

Washer Smells Bad? How to Clean Your Smelly Washer | FIX.com

What can I put in my washing machine to stop it smelling?

Set the machine to a hot cycle and add a cup of bicarbonate of soda & vinegar to the drum. The mixture will help clean your drum. Leaving your machine door open slightly after each wash allows air to circulate the drum. This helps to stop germs breeding and reduces any unwanted scents.

What is the freshen up option on a washing machine?

Use programme 2 Rinse/Freshen Up. For items, that have been tucked away or stored for a period of time, to remove creases caused by folding and storage and to eliminate odours. Use fabric conditioner for 'fresh' smell.

How do I disinfect my washing machine?

Mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 quart of water. Pour the bleach solution into the empty tub and run a complete cycle on hot water. After the cycle is complete, wipe down the interior with a damp cloth and leave the lid open to air dry. To deep clean, remove the agitator cap and wash it in warm, soapy water.

What happens when you put white vinegar in your washing machine?

"Vinegar softens clothes by breaking down excess detergent that makes clothes feel stiff," says Patric Richardson of The Laundry Evangelist. Never mix vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach, as the combination is highly toxic.

Can I run my washing machine empty to clean it?

Running your washing machine empty can be particularly beneficial under certain conditions. For instance, if you're transitioning from washing heavy fabrics, like towels, to lighter items, an empty cycle can help prepare the machine and eliminate any residue.

How do I make my washing smell fresh?

To maintain consistently fresh-smelling clothes, consider using a quality detergent, adding fabric conditioner, and incorporating scent boosters like Lenor Unstoppables. Ensure clothes are thoroughly dried, and your washing machine is clean.

What is a home remedy for cleaning inside washing machine?

White vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner that can help remove odours and clean your washing machine's drum. Simply add a cup of white vinegar to an empty cycle and run your machine on the hottest setting. This will help to kill any bacteria that may have accumulated in the appliance.

How do I stop my washing from smelling?

Here are 8 ways to prevent your washing machine from smelling:
  1. Leave the door open after each wash: ...
  2. Use a bleach spray: ...
  3. Put Domestos bleach in your drum: ...
  4. Ventilate washing machine enclosures: ...
  5. Turn up your hot temperature settings: ...
  6. Use adequate soap powder in every wash: ...
  7. Don't use to much washing powder in your laundry :

How to clean a top load washing machine?

Start a hot wash cycle and allow the drum to fill completely with water. Once full, add a quart of chlorine bleach to the machine and allow the cycle to complete. Run a second cycle through the machine, adding a quart of distilled white vinegar to the drum after it's filled with hot water.

Can you put dishwasher tablets in the washing machine?

Dishwasher tablets, such as Finish Ultimate All-in-1, can be utilized in washing machines to dissolve grease, dirt, and mineral buildup that may accrue with regular use.

Will bleach damage my washing machine?

Bleach can be used inside your washing machine for cleaning it as well as working well as a washing machine disinfectant. The most important thing to remember is that you must run at least one empty cycle after cleaning, to remove all remaining bleach and help prevent bleaching next time you do a load of laundry.

Can I use vinegar and laundry detergent together?

Adding vinegar directly to the wash with your laundry detergent may compromise its cleaning performance. Laundry detergents are formulated for specific pH levels, which may be disrupted by the acidity of vinegar, leading to less effective cleaning. It's best to avoid mixing them to ensure optimal results.

Where do you put vinegar when washing a washing machine?

Karina Toner recommends putting one to two cups of white vinegar directly into the washing machine drum regardless of your washing machine type and running it on a hot cycle. 'This will help to remove any soap, limescale build-up, or odors from your machine,' she says.

Is vinegar better than fabric softener?

For Preventing Buildup: Fabric softeners can build up in your machine over time and cause parts to break down. Conversely, vinegar can help remove soap residues, making it a better choice if you're concerned about buildup.

How to clean a washing machine that smells?

Baking soda and vinegar:

For both top-load and front-load washers, start by adding 1/4 cup of baking soda directly into the washer drum. Then, pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser. Run a hot wash cycle without any laundry.

What is the best disinfectant for washing machines?

Use Bleach to Clean Washer Tub

A washer's tub is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Cleaning a washing machine with bleach is a highly effective way to kill these microorganisms. Bleach also breaks down stubborn stains and gets rid of lingering odors. Start with an empty, dry washer.

What is the best thing to clean a washing machine with?

A quick and easy solution for cleaning your washing machine drum is white wine vinegar. White wine vinegar is excellent for cleaning and removing odours; add a glass to the empty drum and then run a normal cycle.

What freshens a washing machine?

Running a maintenance wash on your washing machine once a month can help keep it clean and fresh. This is done by running a hot water cycle with no clothes in the machine, and add a cup of white vinegar or baking soda to the drum.

What can I buy to make my washing machine smell better?

Adding a cup of vinegar during a hot wash cycle can help break down buildup, soften fabrics, and eliminate odors. It's also a natural alternative to fabric softener, keeping your machine clean and your clothes smelling fresh. 3.

How can I refresh my washing machine?

Use a combination of white vinegar and baking soda to naturally clean your washing machine; pour half a cup of baking soda into the drum followed by two cups of vinegar in the detergent dispenser, then run a hot wash cycle. For stubborn grime and odors, consider commercial washing machine cleaners.

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