If your washing machine stinks, that smell is attaching itself to your clothes, too. If the machine is more than 12 or 15 years old, the odor could be baked into certain components, and it may be time to replace it. If it's a newer model, there's likely a buildup of mold or mildew that can be remedied with simple cleaning and maintenance.
Mold is especially problematic to have anywhere near your laundry. While it's not an uncommon complication, it is one you need to address as soon as possible. Some people resort to bleach, but there's a better fix that requires more elbow grease and fewer chemicals.Â
If you want your washer to stop sabotaging your clean clothes, all it takes is a proper, dedicated deep clean to eliminate the mold, mildew and bacteria for good.
Cleaning the washer and allowing it to air out between uses can work wonders. Not sure how to properly clean your washing machine? We'll walk you through what you need to know about killing bacteria or mold in your washer and how to rid your machine of those awful smells.Â
Read more: Are You Washing Your Bath Towels Enough? Experts Doubt It
The best way to remove a bad smell from your washing machine
Mold and mildew love a party with heat and humidity, and because they can start growing in less than 48 hours, the inside of your washer -- especially around the door seals -- is a perfect breeding ground.Â
If you have mold in your washer, here's how to get rid of it. Executing these steps monthly will help prevent mold growth.
1. Put on gloves and grab an old towel that you don't care about.
2. Mix a solution of hot water and white vinegar and hot water. (If vinegar doesn't root out the smell, you may have to try bleach, but never mix bleach and vinegar -- it creates toxic chlorine gas.)
3. Dip the towel in the mixture and start scrubbing away at any visible mold. Be sure to get the detergent dispenser and clean around the gaskets.
4. Front-loading machines have a gasket around the door. If you have a front-loader, clean and dry it thoroughly, including all folds. Be careful not to tear the gasket.
5. Run the wash cycle on the hottest setting your machine offers with a cup of bleach or vinegar. If using bleach, pour it into the designated bleach compartment. If using vinegar, pour it into the detergent slot.
If your machine has a self-clean cycle, you can use that setting. This should kill any hidden mold that you may have missed.
6. Use another old towel and wipe away all the moisture in your washing machine. This includes the drum, dispensers, seals and any other areas you can reach.
7. Leave the washer door open to allow airflow to dry any parts you missed.Â
Simple ways to prevent mold and mildew in your washer
Leave the lid open if you're not washing clothes
Leave the lid cracked whenever the machine isn't in use.
Mold grows in dark, moist areas, which is what your washer becomes after you've unloaded the clothes. Whether it's a top or front loader, keeping the lid closed traps moisture, which can lead to built-up bacteria and odors.Â
Leaving the washing machine door open helps ventilate the area and prevents mold from growing in the first place.Â
Remove wet clothes right awayÂ
Damp clothes are another breeding ground for mold. If you're throwing in a load of laundry, make sure you'll be home to remove the clothes right when the wash cycle ends. Not only does this prevent mold from growing in your washer, but it keeps mildew out of your clean clothing, bedding and towels.
Dry damp seals and other parts after each useÂ
If the inside of your washing machine is wet after a cycle, you'll want to hand-dry the various components.
After you're finished using your washing machine for the day, wipe down any damp parts of the washer. This includes the lid, drum, door, rubber gaskets and detergent dispenser (if your machine has that feature).
Keep an old towel on hand for this purpose.
Dry the seals and the rest of your washer to prevent moisture from lingering. And while mold contamination can happen in any washer, it's especially common in high-efficiency (HE) front-loading washers. That's why you should regularly wash the gaskets and seals around the door and keep them dry. The gaskets make sure water doesn't leak around the door and they also do a good job of sealing in the moisture that can help mold grow.
You should also remove pet hair, crumpled paper or any other debris from the machine right away.Â
If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washer, use a powder detergent made for HE machines.Â
Use a high-efficiency washing machine
Liquid detergents can leave a residue in your washing machine, giving mold a food source. So if you have a high-efficiency washer, the first thing to do to keep mold in check is to make sure you're using a laundry detergent formulated for this type of washer, which produces fewer suds. (Look for the letters HE on the bottle.)
Better yet, steer clear of liquid detergent altogether and switch to powder detergent or pods. Whichever you choose, make sure you're only using as much as you need to wash your clothes. If you use too much, your clothes may have a smell and residue.
Once you've cleaned your washer, it's time to move on to the rest of your house. Start with the bathroom: Here's a simple one-hour hack for degunking your showerhead and how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.
FAQs
What cleaning chemicals should I avoid mixing when cleaning my washing machine?
You're going to have to apply some elbow grease, put on some cleaning gloves and break out the cleaning chemicals to clean out your washer. A cleaning solution of hot water and bleach or hot water and vinegar is what you'll want to use to scrub out the inside of the machine, but you never want to combine bleach and vinegar -- that creates chlorine gas, which is toxic to you and anyone else in your home.
What should I do after I finish running my washer?
After you clean your washer and return to regular use, you'll still want to prevent new mold or mildew from developing within the machine. When you've finished using your washing machine, make sure to dry the inside of the machine to avoid the warm, wet conditions that bacteria usually flourishes in.