How to Clean and Deodorize a Smelly Washing Machine

A smelly washing machine can be frustrating. You put dirty clothes into a machine designed to clean them, yet the washer itself smells musty, sour, or downright unpleasant. Washing machine odors are usually caused by moisture, detergent and fabric softener residue, dirt, mildew, hair, lint, or water that isn’t draining completely. The good news is that cleaning and deodorizing a smelly washing machine is usually a simple job once you know where to look.

Whether you have a front-load, top-load, high-efficiency, or traditional washing machine, the goal is the same: remove the buildup that causes odors and give the washer a chance to dry between loads.

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell?

Washing machines are constantly exposed to water, detergent, dirt, body oils, and other residue. Some of that residue can remain behind after a wash cycle.

A washer can also stay damp for hours after a load is finished. That combination of moisture and organic residue can create an ideal environment for mildew and unpleasant odors.

Common causes of a smelly washing machine include:

• Detergent buildup
• Fabric softener residue
• Dirt and body oils
• Hair and lint
• Mold or mildew
• Water trapped inside the washer
• A dirty detergent dispenser
• A dirty door gasket on front-load washers
• Buildup around the agitator or impeller on some top-load washers
• Debris trapped in the drain system
• A clogged or dirty drain filter on washers that have one
• A drainage or plumbing problem

You don’t always have to see mold or mildew for it to be responsible for a musty smell. Buildup and moisture hiding in places you don’t normally see can be enough to make a washing machine stink.

What Causes Washing Machine Odors?

Too Much Detergent

More detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner clothes.

When you use more detergent than necessary, some of it can remain inside the washer. Over time, detergent residue can combine with dirt, body oils, and moisture and create an unpleasant smell.

Use the amount of detergent recommended for the type of washer and the size of the load. Concentrated detergents usually require less than older detergents did, so don’t automatically fill the dispenser to the top.

Fabric Softener Buildup

Fabric softener can leave a coating behind, especially when too much is used.

The dispenser can become sticky and dirty, and residue can also make its way into the washing machine.

Moisture and Mildew

A washing machine that stays damp between loads can eventually develop a musty or mildew-like odor.

This is particularly common when the door or lid remains closed after washing.

Dirt, Hair, and Lint

Your washing machine removes dirt from your clothes, but some of that dirt has to go somewhere.

Hair, lint, dirt, and other debris can collect around the tub, agitator, seals, dispensers, and drainage system.

How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine

Cleaning your washing machine involves more than simply running an empty cycle. Start with the areas where residue and moisture collect, then clean the inside of the washer.

Step 1: Empty the Washer

Remove all clothing and other items from the washing machine.

Check the bottom of the tub and around the agitator or impeller for anything that may have been left behind.

Step 2: Clean the Door, Lid, and Opening

Wipe the area around the washer opening with a damp microfiber cloth.

For a top-load washer, clean the underside of the lid and the rim around the tub. These areas can collect detergent residue, dust, hair, and dirt.

For a front-load washer, pay special attention to the rubber door gasket.

Step 3: Clean the Rubber Door Gasket on a Front-Load Washer

Front-load washers have a rubber gasket around the door that helps keep water inside.

Unfortunately, that gasket can also collect water, hair, lint, detergent residue, and dirt.

Pull back the folds of the gasket and inspect the area underneath.

Remove any hair, lint, or other debris you find. Then wipe the gasket thoroughly with a damp cloth.

For stubborn dirt, use a soft brush or old toothbrush to work the buildup loose. Wipe the area again with a clean damp cloth and dry it when you’re finished.

If you see visible mildew, clean the gasket using a suitable washer-safe cleaner or an appropriate diluted bleach solution. Don’t use bleach and vinegar together.

Tip: Make cleaning the gasket part of your regular laundry routine. A quick wipe takes much less time than dealing with heavy mildew and buildup later.

Step 4: Clean the Detergent and Fabric Softener Dispensers

Remove the detergent and fabric softener dispensers if they are designed to come out.

Soak removable parts in warm water to loosen dried detergent and fabric softener. Use an old toothbrush or small soft brush to clean corners, openings, and other areas where residue collects.

Don’t forget to clean the compartment where the dispenser sits. Buildup can collect inside the washer behind the removable tray.

Rinse the dispensers well and put them back when they are clean.

Step 5: Clean Around the Agitator or Impeller

If you have a top-load washer, don’t overlook the agitator or impeller.

Dirt, hair, detergent residue, and other debris can collect around the base or underneath areas that are difficult to see.

Wipe the area thoroughly and use a soft brush to loosen stubborn buildup.

If your agitator is removable, only remove it if it is designed to be removed easily. Don’t force it.

Step 6: Run an Empty Cleaning Cycle

Once you’ve cleaned the areas you can reach by hand, run an empty hot-water cleaning cycle.

If your washer has a Clean Washer, Tub Clean, or similar cycle, use that cycle.

A commercial washing machine cleaner is another good option. These products are specifically made to remove residue and buildup from washing machines.

If you don’t have a washer-cleaning product, an occasional cleaning with white vinegar can also help loosen some mineral deposits and residue.

Using White Vinegar to Clean a Washing Machine

White vinegar is acidic and can help loosen some mineral deposits, detergent residue, and buildup inside a washing machine.

I use white vinegar occasionally when I want to freshen and clean my washing machine. However, I don’t recommend using vinegar in every load or making it a constant part of your laundry routine.

To use vinegar as an occasional washer-cleaning method, run an empty hot-water cycle with white vinegar, then run another cycle with plain water.

Using Bleach to Clean a Washing Machine

Bleach can be useful when you’re dealing with mildew or when you want to disinfect certain washable surfaces inside the machine.

If you choose to use bleach, use it by itself and use an appropriate amount rather than assuming more is better.

For a general washer cleaning, add bleach to the bleach dispenser or washer as directed for your machine, then run an empty hot-water cycle. If your washer doesn’t have a bleach dispenser, add it according to the directions for the washer and the bleach product.

After the cycle is complete, an additional rinse can help remove any remaining bleach.

Never mix vinegar with bleach or other cleaning products.

If you’ve just used another cleaning product, rinse the washer thoroughly before using a different cleaning method.

Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other cleaning products.

Should I Use Vinegar or Bleach to Clean My Washing Machine?

It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish.

Vinegar can help loosen mineral deposits and some residue and can be useful for occasional cleaning and deodorizing.

Bleach is useful when you are specifically dealing with mildew or want to disinfect certain washable areas.

You do not need to use both during the same cleaning session. In fact, keeping cleaning products separate is the safest approach.

And remember, more cleaning products do not necessarily mean a cleaner washing machine. Using one appropriate cleaning method at a time is better than combining several products.

How to Clean the Drain Filter

Some washing machines, particularly certain front-load models, have an accessible drain pump filter. Other washing machines do not have a filter that the homeowner can easily access.

If your washer has a drain filter, it can collect coins, lint, hair, and other debris that can contribute to odors.

Before opening the filter, make sure the washer is turned off and be prepared for water to come out.

Place a towel or shallow container underneath, remove the filter according to its design, and clean out the debris. Rinse the filter if appropriate, then reinstall it securely.

If you don’t have an accessible drain filter, don’t worry. Your washing machine may simply be designed differently.

What About the Outside of the Washing Machine?

While the outside isn’t usually responsible for a bad washer smell, it deserves a cleaning too.

Wipe down:

• The top
• The lid or door
• The control panel
• The knobs and buttons
• The front and sides
• The area around the detergent dispenser

Use a damp microfiber cloth and an appropriate household cleaner for the surface.

Don’t spray liquid directly onto electrical controls.

You can also vacuum dust, lint, and dirt from around and underneath the washer if you can safely reach those areas.

Why Does My Washing Machine Still Smell After Cleaning?

If you’ve cleaned the washer and the smell keeps coming back, there may be more going on than ordinary detergent buildup.

A persistent musty smell may mean moisture or mildew is still trapped somewhere.

A sewage-like smell may point to a drainage or plumbing problem rather than a dirty washing machine.

A rotten or foul smell could be caused by trapped debris, standing water, or something caught in an area you cannot easily reach.

If the washer isn’t draining properly, water remains inside after the cycle, the machine leaks, or the smell seems to be coming from behind or underneath the washer, cleaning may not solve the problem.

An unusual burning or electrical smell is also not a cleaning problem. Stop using the machine and have the problem checked.

How to Prevent Your Washing Machine from Smelling

Once you’ve cleaned your washing machine, preventing moisture and residue from building up is the best way to keep the smell away.

• Leave the washer door or lid open between loads so the inside can dry.
• Remove wet clothes promptly after the cycle ends.
• Wipe the rubber gasket after washing if you have a front-load washer.
• Clean detergent and fabric softener dispensers regularly.
• Use the correct amount of detergent.
• Don’t automatically use extra detergent because a load is especially dirty.
• Avoid overloading the washer.
• Clean around the agitator or impeller on top-load machines.
• Clean the washer periodically.
• Clean the drain filter if your machine has an accessible one.
• Don’t leave wet clothing sitting in the washer for hours.
• If you frequently wash with cold water, give the washer an occasional thorough cleaning to remove residue.

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

How often your washing machine needs cleaning depends on how often you use it and how much residue builds up.

If your washer stays fresh, you may not need to deep clean it as often. If you notice a musty smell, visible buildup, or residue around the gasket or dispenser, it’s time to clean it.

A quick wipe of the gasket, lid, or dispenser every couple of weeks can prevent a much bigger cleaning job later.

An occasional deep cleaning of the washer helps remove buildup that normal laundry cycles don’t always eliminate.

When Should You Call a Professional?

Most washing machine odors are caused by something you can clean, but not every odor is a cleaning problem.

It’s time to have the washer checked if:

• The smell remains after you’ve thoroughly cleaned it.
• The washer is not draining properly.
• Water is left inside the machine after a cycle.
• The washer leaks.
• You smell sewage coming from the washer or drain.
• The odor appears to come from behind or underneath the machine.
• You notice a burning or electrical smell.
• The washer suddenly develops an unusual mechanical odor.

A plumbing or appliance problem can sometimes look like a cleaning problem, so don’t keep adding cleaning products if the odor is caused by a drainage or mechanical issue.

Cleaning a Smelly Washing Machine Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

A washing machine can get dirty and develop an odor just like anything else in your home. Moisture, detergent and fabric softener residue, dirt, hair, lint, mildew, and trapped debris are common reasons a washer starts to smell.

Start by cleaning the areas where buildup collects, including the gasket on a front-load washer, the lid and tub area on a top-load washer, the detergent dispensers, and the area around the agitator or impeller. Then run an empty cleaning cycle to freshen the inside of the machine.

An occasional use of white vinegar can help with mineral deposits and residue, while bleach can be useful for mildew and disinfecting when used properly. Just remember that you should never mix cleaning products.

Finally, leave the washer open between loads and remove wet clothing promptly. Keeping the machine dry is one of the simplest ways to prevent that nasty washing machine smell from coming back.