How to Clean a Smelly Washer

It happens to the best of us. You go to start a load of laundry and are overwhelmed by terrible odors emanating from the machine. Stinky washing machines are more common than most people realize. When mildew, detergent, dirt, and minerals build up inside, bad smells follow.

To get your machine smelling fresh and clean again, it’s important to know how to deodorize a washing machine. After all, a stinky machine is the last place you want to try and clean your clothes. Thankfully, learning how to clean a smelly washer is easier than you might expect.

What Causes a Smelly Washing Machine?

We put our washing machines through a lot. Soap scum, hair, dirt, and body oils can easily become trapped in the gaskets, seals, and dispensers. Over time, these substances build up and start to smell bad.

Both top-loading and front-loading washers can develop unpleasant odors. However, front loaders tend to get extra stinky. This is largely due to the rubber gasket on the machine’s door. The gasket comes in handy to prevent leaks, but moisture from the water it collects can cause mold and mildew to develop.

Another reason for the more pungent smells of front loaders is that dirt and scum may build up in larger amounts than in top loaders. This is because front-loading washers are designed to be high-efficiency (HE) appliances, using less water than their top-loading counterparts. There isn’t enough water during a cycle to wash detergent completely away unless a special HE type detergent is used. If regular detergent is used, dirt and debris cling to it, creating a gunky, smelly residue.

How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine: Front Loader

Luckily, there are easy fixes to eliminate front-loader smells. You can pull back the rubber gasket, sprinkle a little baking soda on it, and wipe it with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. Then freshen up the rest of the machine.

Follow the steps below, and your washer will smell great before you know it!

1. Gather ingredients. A smelly washing machine doesn’t require special cleaners or chemicals. In fact, your pantry likely contains everything you need to eliminate foul odors. Grab a box of baking soda and a bottle of white vinegar, and you’re good to go.
2. Make sure your washer is empty. If any clothes were left in there, pull them out.
3. Combine baking soda and water. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. Pour the solution into your washer’s detergent dispenser.
4. Add vinegar. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the drum of the washer.
5. Run a complete cycle. Set your machine to its highest heat setting. Run a full wash cycle just as you normally would, but without clothes. Optional tip: If you’d like a more intense clean, you can pause the washer after it fills with water and let the mixture soak for 30 minutes. Then, resume the wash until it is finished.
6. Wipe down the drum. When the cycle is complete, wipe the drum with a damp rag or sponge to remove any remaining vinegar smell.

How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine: Top Loader

Front-loading washers may be more prone to stinkiness, but that doesn’t mean top loaders never smell. These machines can also develop a stench. Luckily, what works for the front loaders can be just as effective for the top loaders. Here are those steps again, but with minor adjustments for the top-loading machines:

1. Gather ingredients. Baking soda and white vinegar work well for top-loaders too!
2. Make sure your washer is empty. Pull out any clothes that were left inside.
3. Combine baking soda and water. Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. Pour the solution into your washer’s detergent dispenser. If your machine doesn’t have a dispenser, you can add the baking soda solution to the drum of the washer.
4. Add vinegar. Pour 4 cups of white vinegar into the drum of the washer. We use 4 cups instead of 2 in the top-load washers because they release more water during a cycle than the front-loaders.
5. Run a complete cycle. Set your machine to its highest heat setting and run a full wash cycle just as you normally would, but without clothes.
6. Wipe down the drum. When the cycle is complete, wipe the drum with a damp rag or sponge to remove any remaining vinegar smell.

How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine Drain

If your laundry room has a musty or foul odor, the odds are good that your washing machine drain is clogged. Here’s how to clean a smelly washing machine drain:

• Add two cups of vinegar to the detergent dispenser.
• Run a normal wash cycle with no clothes.
• Pour hot or boiling water down the drain trap.
• Add 4 ounces of mineral oil to the drain to prevent evaporation.

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

If you’re like most people, you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your washer. Until you’ve got a smelly washing machine on your hands, the chore likely doesn’t even cross your mind. Some experts recommend giving your washing machine a good scrub every two weeks. Generally speaking, your frequency of use should dictate your cleaning routine. If you aren’t using your washing machine much, you can get away with only cleaning it once a month. However, if you're washing clothes on a daily basis, cleaning your washer weekly is recommended.

How to Keep Your Washer from Getting So Smelly

Now that you know how to clean a smelly washing machine, be proactive to prevent the problem from occurring again.

Here are some easy steps you can take to keep things fresh:

• After each load, wipe down the inside of your washer to remove moisture from every nook and cranny. Pay special attention to the rubber seal around the door.
• Leave the door open whenever the washer is not in use to let the inside of the washer air-dry.
• Regularly remove the detergent dispenser and wash out lingering detergent residue with soap and water.
• Wipe down the outside of your washer with a cloth and multipurpose cleaner to prevent dust and dirt from getting inside your washer.

Don’t Stop There!

Learning how to clean a smelly washing machine is just the beginning. For tips on keeping your entire laundry room fresh and sparkling clean, check out our laundry room cleaning page.

Keeping your home in top shape requires a lot of work. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with cleaning projects, we can help! Let the trusted home cleaning professionals at Molly Maid tackle your cleaning needs. 

Ready to learn more? Find the Molly Maid location near you and Request a Free Estimate today!