Common causes of a smelly washing machine include a buildup of bacteria, mold or mildew, and even detergent residue. To clean it, run a hot wash cycle with a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar. Then, scrub any residue and run another hot rinse to flush out all the cleaning agents.
Why Does it Smell Worse After Cleaning? Unfortunately, it is possible that you could deep clean a washing machine and have it smell even worse afterwards. The reason for this is usually simple -- you have loosened the dirt and the grime, but it has not been flushed away from the insides of the machine completely.
Improper Drying: If the machine isn't fully dried after cleaning, moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can produce unpleasant smells. Trapped Debris: Sometimes, cleaning can dislodge debris that gets trapped in hard-to-reach areas, like the drain pump or filter. This debris can decay and create odors.
You can use bleach, vinegar, bicarbonate, clean the filter before putting the clothes in the washer, and do a pre-wash before putting them in the washer if the odor is very strong.
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.
It's generally recommended to clean your washing machine once a month, especially if you want to prevent musty odours from forming inside the drum and keep your clothes smelling great.
Fabric softener is fatty and clumpy by nature, which could eventually clog your washing machine's pipes and collect in the fabric softener dispenser. If you do not remove the residual softener, you could begin to see or smell mold in your washing machine. Neither clogging nor mold growth are desirable for your washer.
“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.
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.
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.
Add chlorine bleach.
Pour liquid chlorine bleach into the detergent compartment and fill it to the max line. Do NOT use the bleach compartment. Never run a Self Clean cycle with laundry in the tub because this can damage the washer and the contents of the tub.
Add 4 cups of white vinegar to the wash cycle. After the cycle starts, pause the machine and allow it to sit for an hour.
If there is standing water in the washer tub following the final spin cycle, or there is water leaking from the bottom of the washer cabinet, the washer's drain pump or drain hose could be clogged or broken and preventing the water from being emptied from the appliance into a laundry tub or standpipe.
Clothing That Feels Heavy After a Cycle: When your clothes are unusually damp even after a spin cycle, it's a sign that the machine isn't draining effectively, which usually points to the filter! Water Leakage: Unexpected puddles around your washing machine might indicate pressure buildup caused by a clogged filter.
To sanitize your washer, run a hot cycle with either bleach or vinegar. Add bleach to the detergent dispenser (about 1/2 cup) or pour vinegar directly into the drum. For extra cleaning power, wipe down the gasket and dispenser drawer after the cycle finishes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Using affresh® washing machine cleaner on a regular basis can help keep your washing machine clean and free of odor-causing residues and grime that can lead to mold growth over time.