How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine: Step-by-Step Guide

A bad smell inside your washing machine usually comes from trapped moisture, detergent residue, mold, or a dirty filter. To remove it, clean the gasket, dispenser, filter, and drum before running the cleaning cycle recommended by the manufacturer. Fragrance may hide the odor briefly, but the smell will return unless you remove its source.

If you notice a burning smell, smoke, unusual heat, or signs of an electrical problem, stop using the washer immediately. Cleaning will not correct a mechanical or electrical failure, so contact an appliance technician instead of opening panels or attempting to repair the machine yourself.

What to Do When Your Washing Machine Smells

If you need a quick smelly washing machine fix, start with these steps:

1. Remove any clothes from the drum.
2. Look for water, debris, or forgotten items.
3. Wipe the door seal and glass.
4. Clean the detergent dispenser.
5. Check the washer filter if your model has one.
6. Run an approved washer cleaning cycle.
7. Leave the door open until the interior dries.

These steps address the most common sources of washing machine odors. However, the correct cleaning product, filter location, and disassembly instructions depend on your model. Check the care manual before removing parts, opening an access panel, or adding any cleaner to the drum.

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell?

A washing machine stays warm and damp after each load. Add detergent residue, fabric softener, hair, and lint, and you have an ideal environment for odors to develop. The location and type of smell can help you identify the source before you begin cleaning.

Detergent and Fabric Softener Buildup

Using more detergent does not necessarily produce cleaner clothes. Excess detergent can remain inside the drum, hoses, dispenser, and door seal, while fabric softener may leave a waxy coating. Over time, these residues trap dirt and moisture and create a sour or musty smell. Follow the detergent label and use an HE product in high-efficiency machines.

Mold and Mildew

Front-load washers often retain moisture inside the folds of the rubber gasket, allowing mold or mildew to develop between loads. Pull the seal back gently and look for dark spots, hair, residue, or standing water. Follow the manufacturer’s directions when treating visible growth, and review our guide to cleaning mold the right way for additional household precautions.

Wet Clothes Left Inside the Drum

A finished load can develop a musty smell when it remains in the washer for several hours, especially in Florida’s warm, humid climate. Remove clothes soon after the cycle finishes. If you forget a load overnight and it smells stale, wash it again before moving it to the dryer.

A Dirty Filter or Drain Pump

Some washing machines have an accessible filter that collects lint, hair, coins, and other objects. Dirty water may remain around this debris and produce an unpleasant odor, but not every model has a filter homeowners should remove. Maytag’s guide to finding and cleaning a washing machine filter shows common locations; your washer’s manual should always take priority.

Drain or Plumbing Problems

A rotten egg or sewage smell may come from a drain hose, plumbing trap, blocked pipe, or stagnant water rather than the washer drum. If the odor remains after cleaning the accessible washer components, inspect the surrounding laundry area and ask a plumber or appliance technician to check the connection.

What You’ll Need to Clean a Smelly Washer

Gather your supplies before opening dispensers or filters:

• Microfiber cloths
• A soft sponge
• A small, soft-bristled brush
• Mild dish soap
• Warm water
• A shallow container or towel
• A washer cleaner approved for your model
• Protective cleaning gloves

You may not need every item because the correct supplies depend on where the smell originates. Avoid abrasive pads and harsh products that could damage rubber seals or plastic dispensers. Most importantly, never combine chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or another cleaner. The CDC’s bleach safety guidance warns that these mixtures can release dangerous vapors.

Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine

A thorough cleaning should address more than the drum because residue can remain in the door seal, dispenser, filter, and other areas the wash cycle does not fully rinse. Work through the following steps in order so loosened dirt does not contaminate a component you already cleaned.

1. Empty and Inspect the Washer

Remove all clothes and check the drum for tissues, hair, coins, or other objects. Look for water at the bottom and notice whether the odor seems stronger near the gasket or dispenser. Identifying the source will help you focus your work. Unplug the machine before removing a filter or cleaning near an electrical component.

2. Clean the Door Seal and Gasket

Front-load washers have a flexible rubber gasket around the door where moisture and small objects often collect. Pull the gasket back carefully, remove hair and lint by hand, and wipe the surface with a damp microfiber cloth and a cleaner permitted in your manual.

Give extra attention to the lower part of the seal, where water tends to settle, and dry the gasket before continuing. Do not use a stiff brush, knife, or another sharp tool on this area because it could scratch or puncture the rubber.

3. Wash the Detergent Dispenser

Remove the dispenser only if your model allows it; many drawers have a release tab, but the design varies. Separate removable inserts and wash them with warm water and mild soap. Use a small brush for corners, wipe the dispenser housing with a damp cloth, and let every part dry before reassembling the drawer.

4. Check and Clean the Washer Filter

Read the manual to determine whether your washer has a user-accessible filter. Front-load models often place it behind a small panel near the bottom. Before opening the compartment, place a towel or shallow container underneath because residual water may escape when you remove the filter.

Clear away lint, hair, coins, and other debris, then rinse the filter with warm water and return it to the correct position. Close the compartment securely before restoring power. If the filter appears damaged, resists removal, or will not fit correctly afterward, contact an appliance technician.

5. Run the Washer Cleaning Cycle

Look for a setting labeled Clean Washer, Self Clean, or Tub Clean, and run it with an empty drum. Use only the product and quantity recommended for your appliance. Depending on the model, the manufacturer may permit one of the following options:

• A commercial washing machine cleaner
• Liquid chlorine bleach
• Another approved cleaning product

Do not add laundry detergent or fabric softener unless the instructions request it, and never combine multiple cleaners during the same cycle. If the washer lacks a cleaning setting, follow the alternative cycle in its manual. Whirlpool’s step-by-step washing machine cleaning guide provides a general example, but your model-specific instructions come first.

6. Wipe and Dry the Interior

When the cycle ends, inspect the drum and gasket and remove loosened residue with a clean cloth. Wipe the inside of the door, dry the rubber seal, and leave the washer open until the remaining moisture evaporates. If the smell returns immediately, inspect the drain hose and plumbing instead of repeating the same cleaning cycle.

How to Remove Odors From a Front-Load Washer

Front-load washers require extra attention because water can remain inside the rubber gasket and detergent residue may collect where the seal meets the drum. When troubleshooting an odor, inspect all the areas most likely to retain moisture or buildup:

• The folds beneath the door gasket
• The detergent and fabric softener drawer
• The drain pump filter
• The lower edge of the door glass
• The washer drum
• The drain hose

Dry the gasket after the final load and leave the door slightly open so air can reach the drum. If your washer includes a magnetic door prop or ventilation feature, use it according to the manufacturer’s directions. Persistent standing water may indicate a pump or drainage problem that requires professional attention.

What Is the Best Cleaner for a Smelly Washing Machine?

No single cleaner works safely in every washer. Choose a product approved by the appliance manufacturer and match the method to the area or problem you are treating. The following table provides a practical starting point, but it does not replace the care manual for your model.

Can You Use Vinegar or Baking Soda?

Vinegar and baking soda are common home remedies, but they are not suitable for every appliance. Some manufacturers permit diluted vinegar for specific tasks, while others warn that repeated exposure may affect rubber components. Whirlpool explains these limitations in its guide to cleaning a washing machine with vinegar.

Baking soda may reduce certain odors, but it cannot remove debris from a filter or detergent trapped beneath a gasket. Combining it with vinegar also neutralizes much of the cleaning action of both ingredients. Never use vinegar with chlorine bleach, and rinse the machine thoroughly before switching between products because bleach and acids can release dangerous gas.

Should You Use Bleach?

Use chlorine bleach only when the washer manual allows it, and follow the specified quantity and cycle. Bleach can disinfect, but cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting are not interchangeable. Our explanation of the difference between cleaning and sanitizing can help you select the appropriate approach for other household surfaces.

Bleach is not compatible with every machine or component and may damage clothing if residue remains. Keep the laundry room ventilated, wear appropriate protection, and never combine bleach with another cleaning product. If the manual requires an additional rinse after treatment, complete that cycle before washing clothes.

How to Prevent Washing Machine Odors

Once you remove the smell, use these habits to keep it from returning:

• Remove clean clothes promptly.
• Use the correct amount of detergent.
• Choose HE detergent for high-efficiency machines.
• Wipe moisture from the door seal.
• Leave the door or lid slightly open between loads.
• Let the detergent drawer dry.
• Clean the dispenser when residue appears.
• Run the recommended washer cleaning cycle.
• Check the filter according to the appliance manual.
• Investigate leaks or standing water promptly.

Florida’s humidity can slow evaporation inside the drum, making airflow especially important in laundry rooms without strong ventilation. Combine these habits with the filter, hose, lint, and dryer-vent tasks in our washer and dryer maintenance guide to create a more complete routine.

When Does a Smelly Washer Need Professional Attention?

Home cleaning can remove ordinary buildup and trapped moisture, but it cannot repair a damaged pump, blocked pipe, electrical component, or leaking hose. If the same odor returns after proper cleaning, look for the following warning signs before running another cycle:

• The washer smells like sewage after cleaning.
• Water remains inside the drum.
• The machine does not drain completely.
• The same odor returns after every cycle.
• You find a leak around or beneath the washer.
• Error messages appear repeatedly.
• The washer makes unusual noises.
• You notice a burning smell.
• The power cord or outlet looks damaged.

Stop using the washer when you suspect an electrical or mechanical problem. Yorleny’s Cleaning Service does not repair appliances or clean their internal components, but our home deep cleaning service can address the exterior and surrounding laundry area. Review our deep cleaning checklist or contact Yorleny’s Cleaning Service for residential cleaning options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Machine Odors

Why Does My Washer Smell Musty?

A musty odor usually comes from moisture combined with detergent residue, mold, or mildew. Inspect the door seal, dispenser, drum, and user-accessible filter first. Wet clothing left inside the machine for several hours can also develop a stale smell and transfer it to the washer.

What Should I Do If My Washing Machine Smells?

Empty the drum and inspect the gasket, detergent dispenser, and user-accessible filter. Remove visible debris, run the cleaning cycle recommended by the manufacturer, and leave the door open afterward. Drying the interior helps prevent the trapped moisture that often allows the odor to return.

How Do I Get a Rotten Egg Smell Out of My Washer?

A rotten egg smell may indicate stagnant water, a dirty filter, or a drainage problem. Clean the accessible components and inspect the drain area. If the odor remains, contact a plumber or appliance technician because fragrances and deodorizing products will only mask an underlying plumbing problem.

How Often Should I Clean My Washing Machine?

Follow the frequency stated in your washer manual. Many manufacturers recommend a cleaning cycle approximately once a month, although usage and model requirements vary. Clean the gasket, dispenser, or user-accessible filter sooner whenever you notice trapped moisture, residue, or the beginning of an odor.

Can I Use Vinegar and Baking Soda in Every Cycle?

No. These products are unnecessary in every load and may not suit your washer or its rubber components. Use only products permitted by the manufacturer and follow the stated quantities. Never combine vinegar with chlorine bleach, either in the same cycle or without thoroughly rinsing between treatments.

What Is the Safest Way to Clean a Front-Load Washer?

Use the cleaning cycle and product approved for your washer model. Clean the rubber gasket, detergent dispenser, and user-accessible filter separately, following the care manual. Afterward, dry the gasket and leave the door open so moisture can escape instead of becoming trapped inside the drum.