Will bleach clean a smelly washing machine?

Author: Bridget Langosh  |  Last update: Saturday, March 15, 2025

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.

Will bleach get rid of smell in a washing machine?

Regular household bleach is the answer. Remember, bleach kills 99.99% of germs dead. Because we wash at low temperatures, your washing machine is essentially a breeding ground for bacteria, couple this with using liquids, which don't contain beach and voila, stinking machine!!

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.

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

``If you have mold or mildew, both vinegar and bleach are effective, but bleach is more effective,'' Gazzo says. ``For removing odors, I would say vinegar.''

Can I run bleach through my washing machine to clean it?

Just add half a cup of bleach to your detergent drawer and run a normal wash cycle with hot water to kill germs and eliminate smells. Run an extra rinse cycle to flush out any remaining bleach.

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

What is the best thing to run through a washing machine to clean it?

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.

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.

How to deep clean your washing machine?

How to Deep Clean and Sanitize Your Washing Machine
  1. Remove the bleach/fabric softener dispensers. ...
  2. Add a cup of bleach to the washing machine. ...
  3. Run an entire rinse cycle. ...
  4. Clean the rubber seal. ...
  5. Wipe down the exterior. ...
  6. Unplug the dryer. ...
  7. Clean out the lint drawer. ...
  8. Vacuum.

Does bleach damage rubber seals in a washing machine?

Bleach can damage the rubber seal if used too frequently. Always wear gloves and ensure proper ventilation when using bleach. Leave the washing machine door open: Allow the seal to dry completely by leaving the washing machine door open for a few hours.

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.

Why does my washing come out smelling bad?

Rethink Your Washing Habits

A common mistake when it comes to doing the laundry is using too much, or too little, detergent. Too much can mean that the detergent isn't fully rinsed from the clothes and could create a bad odour, while too little could mean that your clothes aren't being cleaned properly.

Where to put vinegar in a washing machine?

Using vinegar in laundry is simple. You can add it to the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or pour it in during the final rinse cycle. When adding vinegar towards the end of the cycle, manually pause your machine right before the final rinse cycle and add a 1/2 cup of diluted white vinegar to the load.

How to stop sewer smell from washing machine drain?

DIY solutions like refilling p-traps, cleaning the washing machine, and unclogging drains can often address sewer smells. Professional plumbing services may be required for more complex issues like sewer line blockages or vent pipe problems.

How to deep clean a smelly washing machine?

For those who are looking for something a little bit stronger, or if your washing machine has been somewhat neglected you can also use bleach you can do this by adding bleach to your detergent drawer and then running a hot cycle, it is recommended to run this a couple of times until there is no longer a bleach odour to ...

Does bleach neutralize odor?

Bleach is great at disinfecting, but not so great on eliminating odors. You'll be left with a clean, but still smelly problem. Urine already has a high ammonia content, so adding more ammonia is only going to exacerbate your problem. And whatever you do, NEVER combine bleach and ammonia.

Where to put bleach in a washing machine?

Instead, liquid chlorine bleach should be added to your washer's bleach dispenser, which automatically dilutes the bleach with water the machine adds to the drum. If your washer doesn't have a bleach dispenser, add it to the wash water as the washer fills, before you add clothing.

How long to leave bleach on washing machine rubber?

Clean the Seal:

If using the baking soda and bleach paste, apply it directly to the seal and let it sit for about 10 minutes before scrubbing.

How to deep clean washing machine rubber?

Run the washing machine on a hot cycle

Add a cup of white vinegar or Dettol Washing Machine Cleaner to the detergent compartment. The hot water and vinegar combination will help remove any scum or buildup inside the machine, including the rubber seal. Repeat this process if you have particularly stubborn scum buildup.

Does vinegar damage washing machine rubber?

Washing Machines

Vinegar is sometimes used as a fabric softener or for getting rid of stains and odors in laundry. But as with dishwashers, it can damage the rubber seals and hoses in some washing machines to the point of causing leaks.

Can you put bleach in the washing machine to get rid of smell?

Simply add half a cup of bleach into the machine's drum and half a cup of washing detergent into the draw. Next put the wash on hot and pause it once the machine has filled with water. Leave the machine paused for an hour and then begin the cycle again. To ensure all the bleach has gone, run an extra rinse cycle.

What should I run through my washing machine to clean it?

One of the best ways to clean the washing machine is using chlorine bleach and distilled white vinegar. Starting the washer on its hottest cycle, allow the drum to fill with water, then add one quart of chlorine bleach to the water before allowing the cycle to complete.

Can I deep clean my washing machine with bleach?

To disinfect your washing machine, add half a cup of bleach to your detergent drawer, and another half in your drum. Run your washing machine on its hottest cycle, ensuring that your drum is completely empty. If possible, pause the cycle once the drum has filled with water and allow it to sit for 45 minutes to an hour.

Do I need to rinse the washing machine after bleaching?

If you still are concerned about bleach carryover, select an extra rinse cycle when washing a bleach load if your machine has the option.

Why you shouldn't use bleach on laundry?

Chlorine bleach can also damage certain fabrics, according to Gagliardi, including wool, silk, mohair, and spandex. Some clothes may include unexpected materials, so always check the care labels for the fiber content of the item you want to wash just in case.

How much bleach to clean a washing machine?

Set your washer to a normal setting with warm wash and rinse. Fill the detergent compartment with 1/2 cup of bleach. Fill the bleach compartment all the way up. Run the washer.

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