Why Does My Washer Smell Bad? How to Clean It and Stop Odors

Why washers start to smell

Modern high-efficiency washers use less water and lower temperatures, which is good for energy use but leaves more room for detergent and fabric softener residue to collect. Combine that residue with lint, body oils and a sealed drum that stays damp, and mold and bacteria have everything they need.

Front-loaders are more prone to odor because their door seals tightly and the rubber gasket holds water in its folds. Top-loaders can smell too, often from residue under the agitator or around the tub rim.

Clean the door gasket and dispenser

Unplug the washer before cleaning.

• Door gasket. Pull back the folds of the rubber seal on a front-loader. Wipe out hair, lint and black or gray buildup with a cloth and a mild solution of warm water and dish soap, or a cleaner your manufacturer approves. Dry it afterward.
• Dispenser drawer. Most drawers pull out completely when you press a release tab. Soak it in warm water, scrub with a small brush, and wipe out the housing where it sits, since mildew often grows on the roof of that opening.
• Top-loader rim and lid. Wipe under the rim of the tub and around the lid, where splashes of detergent and softener collect.

Clean the drain pump filter

Many front-loaders have a drain pump filter behind a small panel at the bottom front. Hair, lint, coins and bits of fabric collect there along with stagnant water, and that can produce a strong sour odor.

Place towels and a shallow pan on the floor. If there is a small drain tube next to the filter, drain the water through it first. Then turn the filter slowly counterclockwise to remove it, rinse it, and wipe out the opening. Screw it back in firmly so it does not leak. Your owner's manual shows the exact location and steps for your model.

Run a cleaning cycle

Once the gasket, dispenser and filter are clean, run an empty cleaning cycle to deal with the tub and the areas you cannot reach.

• Many washers have a dedicated cycle, such as Tub Clean on many LG models or Self Clean on many Samsung models. Use it with a washer cleaner tablet or the product your manual recommends.
• If your washer has no cleaning cycle, run the hottest, longest cycle with the drum empty and a washer cleaner.
• Do not mix cleaning products, and never combine bleach with vinegar or ammonia-based cleaners.

Repeat the cleaning cycle about once a month, or as often as your manual suggests.

Habits that keep odors away

• Leave the door or lid open after each load so the drum can dry. In humid Georgia summers this matters even more.
• Move wet clothes to the dryer promptly instead of letting them sit.
• Use only HE detergent in HE washers and measure it. More detergent leaves more residue, not cleaner clothes.
• Cut back on liquid fabric softener, which coats the tub and hoses.
• Run a warm or hot wash now and then instead of always using cold water.
• Wipe the gasket dry after the last load of the day.

When the smell means a repair

Some odors are not about cleaning. A sewer or rotten-egg smell in the laundry room often comes from the household drain, for example a dry trap in a floor drain or a standpipe that is not vented properly. That is a plumbing issue. A burning or electrical smell is different: unplug the washer and do not use it until it has been checked.

If water stays in the drum after the cycle ends, or the washer drains slowly, stale water will keep causing odors no matter how often you clean. That usually means a clogged or failing drain pump or a blocked hose. Our guide to a washer that is not draining explains the causes.

When to call a technician

Call for service if odors return within days of a thorough cleaning, if water remains in the tub after the cycle, if the gasket has a torn fold that holds water, or if you smell burning. A worn gasket, a weak drain pump or a leaking internal hose can all keep a washer smelling no matter how often it is cleaned.

Mr. Fixer offers washing machine repair throughout Metro Atlanta for front-load and top-load models from LG, Samsung, Whirlpool and more. Every repair includes a 60-day parts and labor warranty. Call (678) 866-3669, or request an appointment online.

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