At a Glance:
Common Reasons Your Washing Machine Smells
Why You Should Clean Your Washing Machine
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
Essential Tips for Cleaning Your Washing Machine
5 Washers with Self-Clean Cycles
We’ve all been there, opening up our washing machine only to be hit with an odor that nearly takes your breath away. It’s concerning, it’s alarming, but most of all, it can leave you asking yourself “Why does my washing machine smell so bad?” Aren’t washers constantly filled with beautifully scented detergents and fabric softeners? While the answer is yes, it may come as a shock that washing machines are susceptible to various bacteria, such as mold and mildew, which can cause foul and unwanted odors. Today we are going to give some tips and tricks on how to clean washing machines that have bad odors, as well as explore some washer options that have built-in self-cleaning cycles.
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Shop All WashersCommon Reasons Your Washing Machine Smells
Several different culprits could cause washing machine smells, and while the odor may be unpleasant, finding and fixing the source of the odor is the only surefire way to get rid of it. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most common causes of odor-filled washing machines.
➤ Mold or mildew
➤ Detergent build-up in the drum or gasket
➤ Frequent low-temperature washes
➤ Dirty filter
➤ Clogged or slow-acting drain
➤ Closed washer door
➤ Irregular cleaning of the inside of your washer
➤ Excess detergent use
→ Learn More: Which Laundry Detergent is Best?
Why You Should Clean Your Washing Machine
While it may seem counterintuitive that you need to clean the machine that is meant to clean your clothes, it is of vital importance if you want to actually get clothes that are free of any dirt and bacteria.
Cleaning your washing machine creates a healthier environment for your clothes to be thoroughly cleaned during the wash cycle. If you neglect to clean the inside of your washer, you are diminishing the cleaning efficiency of your washer, as well as decreasing the life span of your washer. During any wash cycle, there is dirt, soap suds, and other muck are pushed to the outer wall of the machine’s drum, and if it’s not cleaned off, all that dirt and bacteria will get circulated back through the washer during the wash cycles, as well as cause unwanted odors inside your washer.
Check out these key benefits to maintaining proper maintenance and cleaning of your washing machine regularly:
✓ You increase your washer’s lifespan
✓ Increased cleaning efficiency for your clothing
✓ Maintains your health by ridding clothing of bacteria during wash cycles
✓ Decreases the risk of odors and washing machine smells
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
If you’ve decided that it’s time to tackle the foul odors coming from your washing machine, but still aren’t sure how to clean washers the right way, then let’s start with the necessities you’ll need in order to do so. Grab these essentials before beginning the process of cleaning out your washer:
- Vinegar
- Brush, sponge, or cloth
- Hot water
- Bucket
- Measuring cup
- Baking soda (optional)
Step One: Run a Hot Cycle Using Vinegar
To begin, you will want to run a hot water cycle through your washing machine, making sure that it is completely free of clothes or other fabric contents. Add two cups of vinegar to your washer's dispenser and allow the cycle to run through. Vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that can cut through mold or mildew, while also acting as a deodorizer.
Step Two: Scrub Inside Your Washing Machine
While the initial cycle is running through, get a mixture of vinegar and water ready in a bucket or nearby sink. Mix 1 quart of warm water with ¼ cup of vinegar. Once the cycle is complete, take your vinegar and water mixture to the inside of your washer, using a brush, sponge, or clean cloth to clean the vital points of your washer’s interior. Be sure to pay special attention to the inside of the door and the dispenser. If your dispenser can be removed, gently remove the dispenser and soak it in your vinegar water before scrubbing it down.
Step Three: Wipe Down the Exterior
We don’t want to forget about the outside of our washer, so be sure to use a cloth soaked in your vinegar water and thoroughly wipe down the exterior of your washer as well.
Step Four: Run a Second Cycle with Hot Water
After you have thoroughly scrubbed the inside of your washer, you want to run a second hot water cycle to get rid of any dirt, soap scum, and bacteria that you may have loosened up. If you want, add ½ cup of baking soda to your washing drum before you run the second hot water cycle. The baking soda can aid in clearing away any buildup that was missed.
Step 5: Wipe out Your Washing Machine Drum
Once it’s all said and done, you want to take a dry towel or cloth and wipe out the inside of your washing machine. This will help keep away any mold and mildew that likes to pop up in moist environments. You can also leave the door and dispenser cracked until you are sure that your washing machine is completely dried out.
→ Learn More: Say Sayonara to Your Stinky Washer
Essential Tips for Cleaning Your Washing Machine
Top load washers and front load washers require similar steps to cleaning, but there are some differences simply because of the different configurations. Let’s take a look at some tips for keeping your washer and its contents smelling clean and fresh.
How to Clean Front Load Washers to Prevent Odors
- Start with an empty washer and dispenser.
- Take an absorbent cloth and clean the inside of your washer, focusing on problem areas like the gasket, the door opening, and the glass.
- Remove the dispenser and clean it in hot soapy water to remove any detergent or fabric softener build-up. Allow the dispenser to dry completely.
- Return the dispenser to the washer, and add ½ cup of liquid chlorine bleach(you can also use vinegar in place of bleach) to your dispenser, and run your washer on the hottest setting possible.
- Once the cycle is finished, take a towel and dry the interior of your washer. Keep the door and dispenser cracked to allow for airflow when the washer is not in use.
How to Clean Top Load Washers to Prevent Odors
- Start with an empty washer and dispenser.
- Select the largest load and cycle, as well as the hottest setting on your machine.
- Fill your washer with hot water and stop filling before the agitation begins.
- Add 4 cups of liquid chlorine bleach to the hot water and complete the cycle.
- Clean the dispenser with vinegar water.
- Once the first cycle is complete with the bleach added, select a second hot cycle, stopping again before agitation, and add 4 cups of vinegar.
- Allow the cycle to finish and spin out and wipe the exterior of your machine.
→ Learn More: Front Load vs. Top Load: Which Washer is Better?
5 Washers with Self-Clean Cycles
Self clean washers are a great way to maintain a clean, healthy environment for your clothes to be washed in. Take a look at some of our top-rated self-clean washers!
Electrolux 4.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
Shop the Electrolux 4.4 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
Electrolux knows that it’s important to keep your washing machine clean to keep your clothes clean. With this Electrolux front load washer, you can do just that by utilizing the LuxeCare Wash System, which offers improved wash actions for even the dirtiest of clothes. When you’re done, use this washer’s “Clean Wash” function to sanitize the inside of your washer, removing any leftover dirt or grime from laundry detergent build-up and soiled clothes.
- Model: ELFW7337AW
- Dimensions: 38” H x 27” W x 32” D
- Total Capacity: 4.4 Cu. Ft.
Whirlpool® 5.0 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
Shop the Whirlpool® 5.0 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
From soiled linens to dirt-ridden t-shirts, take care of your clothing with the Whirlpool 5.0 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer. Presoak, Sanitize, Steam Clean, or Tumble your clothes back to perfection in this front-load washer. Need a quick wash and dry in under one hour? No worries! With the Quick Wash Function, you can wash your clothes in 25 minutes, and then dry with a compatible Whirlpool dryer in 30 minutes. If you notice your washer starting to smell, simply select your washing machine’s self clean feature, the “Clean Washer with Affresh” cycle, and watch the dirt and odor wash away.
- Model: WFW6605MW
- Dimensions: 38.63” H x 27” W x 33.25” D
- Total Capacity: 5.0 Cu. Ft.
Bosch® 500 Series 2.2 Cu. Ft. White Compact Front Load Washer
Shop the Bosch® 500 Series 2.2 Cu. Ft. White Compact Front Load Washer
Looking for a compact washer solution to everyday laundry problems? Look no further than this Bosch 500 Series compact front load washer. Though small in size, it packs a powerful punch when it comes to cleaning and sanitizing clothing. With 14 different wash cycles, you can throw any piece of clothing or fabric its way, and this washer will get your clothes back to new, with cycles like Permanent Press, Jeans, Hand Wash/Wool, or Bulky/Large, and of course, a powerful “Drum Clean” cycle is there to clean up the mess when you notice the inside of your washer needs a deep clean.
- Model: WAW285H1UC
- Dimensions: 33.25” H x 23.5” W x 25” D
- Total Capacity: 2.2 Cu. Ft.
LG 5.5 Cu. Ft. Black Steel Top Load Washer
Shop this LG 5.5 Cu. Ft. Black Steel Top Load Washer
The LG top load washer has a mega capacity that is great for large or busy families. Get powerful washing in under 30 minutes with the LG TurboWash3D, which gives a complete, yet gentle clean when you need it in a pinch. Use LG’s ThinQ app to get notifications when it’s time to clean your washer and select the Self Clean setting with ease right from your smartphone.
- Model: WT7900HBA
- Dimensions: 44.5” H x 27” W x 28.38” D
- Total Capacity: 5.5 Cu. Ft.
Samsung 5.0 Cu. Ft. White Top Load Washer
Shop the Samsung 5.0 Cu. Ft. White Top Load Washer
It’s always nice when an appliance reminds us it’s time for a good clean and with the Samsung top load washer, you get a notification to clean the inside of your washer every 20 loads it runs. The Self Clean technology takes care to remove any dirt, grime, or laundry detergent build-up, creating a haven for your clothes to get a thorough, gentle clean. With Samsung’s Smart Care troubleshooting, you can easily detect and tackle any issues that may arise, making the most out of your laundry day solutions.
- Model: WA50R5200AW
- Dimensions: 44.56” H x 27.56” W x 29.44” D
- Total Capacity: 5.0 Cu. Ft.
FAQs: Why Does My Washer Smell?
What to do if your washer smells?
If you are experiencing washing machine smells, consider using bleach to take care of the unwanted odors. You can add 4 cups of bleach to a top-load washer or 2 cups to a front-load, and run your washer on its hottest setting. For a deeper clean, allow the cycle to start and mix with the bleach, and then let the mixture sit in your washer for 30 minutes before it completes.
What to use for smelly washing machine?
There are various products you can use for smelly washing machines, but here are some go-to’s for preventing odors.
- Liquid Chlorine Bleach
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Clean cloth
- Non-abrasive brush or sponge
How to get rid of washing machine odors?
To get rid of washing machine smells, there are various products you can use, including bleach or vinegar. One way you can get rid of washing machine odors is by mixing ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water and adding it to your washer's dispenser. Add 4 cups of vinegar to the drum of a top-load washer or 2 cups to a front-load, and run your washer on its hottest setting.
How does self clean work on my washing machine?
All self-clean washers are different, but most of the time, self-clean washers allow the inside of your washer to soak in hot water and then spin the tub at a high speed to rid it of any accumulated dirt or bacteria.
Why Trust BlvdHome?
The roots of this family business began as early as the pioneer settlement of Southern Utah. One descendant of those 1861 pioneers was Lester Wittwer. In 1928, he started a trucking business with other family members, delivering homegrown fruits and vegetables to many outlying areas. The story of BlvdHome began in 1974, when Lester’s son Tony decided to venture off into the furniture world - with two full-time employees and a small showroom of only 8,000 square feet. Today, BlvdHome has 5 retail locations with over 160,000 sq. ft. of showroom space, located in St. George, Utah, Hurricane, Utah, Cedar City, Utah, Mesquite, Nevada, and a new Las Vegas location. With over 230 amazing team members, BlvdHome continues to deliver on a commitment to customer service that started over 90 years ago.
Shop Washing Machines at BlvdHome
At BlvdHome, we provide quality name-brand appliances, furniture, and mattresses for great prices. Shop washing machines online or visit us today at one of our locations in Utah or Nevada. In the meantime, browse our website to shop BlvdHome Bargain Barn and check out our flooring selections to increase your home value. More available than ever, our experts at BlvdHome are always happy to help you answer, "Why does my washer smell?" Whether you call us or use our online chat feature. Contact us today!
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