Cleaning Odors Out of Your Washing Machine.

How to Clean and Deodorize a Smelly Washing Machine

Cleaning a smelly washing machine might feel like a mystery – after all, isn’t it supposed to clean things? You use soap, hot water, maybe even bleach, and your laundry smells great. So why does your washer stink?

That bad smell could mean gunk is hiding in places you don’t normally check, like under the rubber seals or behind the drum. The good news? You can fix it with just a little time and effort.

Why Your Washing Machine Smells

Even though it’s a cleaning machine, your washer is the perfect place for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow. It’s warm, moist, and often filled with leftover soap scum, yep, that’s what they’re feeding on.

What Is Soap Scum?

Soap scum isn’t just a bathroom problem. It forms when leftover detergent, body oils, and skin cells cling to the tub, agitator, and seals inside the washer. Over time, that buildup starts to stink.

Too much detergent or fabric softener makes the problem worse. If it doesn’t rinse out completely, it sticks, and so do the odors.

Cleaning a Smelly Washing Machine

Here’s how to get rid of the stink and keep it from coming back.

Wipe Down Gaskets, Seals, and Dispensers

These are the main odor culprits, especially in front loaders.

• Unplug the washer first for safety.
• Remove dispensers and soak them in warm water.
• Use a 50/50 vinegar and hot water mix or a solution of 1 Tbsp bleach to 1 cup water.
• Scrub with an old toothbrush or Q-tip to get into tight areas.
• Pay extra attention under the rubber door seal, yuck warning: expect hair, grime, and goo.
• Wipe it all down again with a clean damp cloth.

Tip: Don’t leave cleaning solutions on rubber parts, rinse thoroughly to avoid damage over time.

Sanitize with Bleach

Bleach is the best choice for killing bacteria, mold, and mildew.

• Set washer to “hot” or “white fabric” cycle.
• Use 4 cups of bleach for a top loader or 2 cups for a front loader.
• Let the washer fill, then stop the cycle for 30 minutes.
• Restart the machine and use an extra rinse to clear out the bleach.

Quick Tip: Toss in your plastic shower curtain, it’ll come out mold-free!

Deodorize with Vinegar

Now that you’ve sanitized, let’s deodorize and tackle hard water deposits.

• Run another hot cycle.
• Use 4 cups of white vinegar in a top loader or 2 cups in a front loader.
• Pause again for 30 minutes before letting it finish the cycle.

Don’t Forget the Outside

It’s not just about cleaning a smelly washing machine on the inside. Wipe down the outside too:

• Remove knobs and clean if needed.
• Use a damp cloth or glass cleaner on the front, top, and sides.
• Use a vacuum crevice tool to clear dust and lint from underneath.

Clean the Washer’s Drain Filter

Some odors may come from the drain filter. It’s located behind the front “kick” panel.

• Remove the panel (usually 3 screws).
• Unscrew the white plastic filter and clean out debris (coins, lint, hair, etc.).
• Have a towel or bucket ready, some water will spill.
• Screw the filter back in and replace the panel.

Extra Odor-Busting Options

Still catching a whiff? Try these one at a time (never mix cleaners):

• 2 cups baking soda
• 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup bleach
• 1 cup OxiClean and 1 cup borax
• 1 cup borax and 1 cup bleach
• Double detergent with 1 cup bleach

If it still smells bad after this, something unusual could be going on, maybe even a critter inside. Time to call a repair pro.

Tips to Keep Your Washer Fresh

• Run a bleach or vinegar clean monthly.
• Leave the door open after each wash to help it dry out.
• Clean soap and softener dispensers every couple of weeks.
• Don’t overload the washer.
• Use the right detergent for your machine and water type.
• Measure detergent, don’t eyeball it!

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

Cleaning a smelly washing machine might feel like a chore at first, but it’s easy once you know what to do. With just a few steps – cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing – you’ll get your washer fresh again and keep it that way.

Your laundry will smell clean, your washer will run better, and your laundry room will smell like a fresh breeze instead of a damp locker room.