This is why your washing machine smells—here's how to clean it

There are many good reasons to choose a front-load washer. They’re efficient, gentle on your clothes, and great at cleaning.

Unfortunately, the design features that make front loaders so effective also create the perfect conditions for growing mold and mildew. While these problems aren't as bad in modern washers as they were in early front-loaders, you can still wind up with a washing machine that smells terrible. What’s worse is that this stink can transfer to your clothes.

Since nobody likes a smelly washing machine, we’ll show you how to scrub away the odor-causing germs and prevent mold from returning in the future.

Why does my washing machine smell?

It makes sense to assume your washing machine cleans itself, as it's constantly cleaning your laundry. Unfortunately, this isn’t how it works. To make a parallel, it’s like never cleaning your shower because it gets exposed to soap.

High-efficiency front loading machines use less water than their top-load counterparts, since they fill just the bottom of the washtub with water. The drum rotates on a horizontal axis, and your clothes tumble through the water, eliminating the need to fill the tub up all the way.

That’s all fine and dandy if you use high-efficiency detergent, but if you use the wrong kind—or the wrong amount of soap and softener—the washer's smaller volume of wash water won't fully rinse them away.

In turn, the drum ends up getting coated with a layer of soap scum, which is itself peppered with debris and dirt from your clothing.

In the heat and dampness of your washer, this scum makes a happy home for mildew, bacteria, and mold. These unwelcome guests are the source of the stink.

The smelly washer situation is compounded by the fact that front-load washers use rubber gaskets around the washing machine door to stop water leaks. Dirt, soap, and bits of fabric can also get trapped under the gasket, creating yet another breeding ground for nasty smells.

Top-load washing machines can also pick up smells, it's just that they don't have a gasket to blame. Smells in top-load washers often come from leftover soap or standing water. You can clean a top-load washer simply by running a hot water rinse cycle with nothing in the drum.

If you own a front-loader, you have to tackle the dirt and odor problem more directly. Here’s our home remedy for deep cleaning your washing machine.

How to clean your front-load washing machine

Before your front-loader adds funk to your laundry, try these eco-friendly steps to make it smell fresh again. Here’s how to clean your washing machine.

Supplies needed:

• Baking soda

• White vinegar

• Sponge (optional)

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Difficulty: Easy

Step 1: Mix baking soda and water

Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. Add this solution to your machine’s detergent container.

Step 2: Add vinegar

Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum and run a high-heat wash cycle.

Step 3: Scrub with a sponge

Scrub any remaining dirty spots to remove soap scum with the rough side of a sponge dipped in a solution of one-part vinegar, one-part water.

Step 4: Keep it fresh with every load

To maintain freshness moving forward, use detergents made for high-efficiency machines, keep the drum dry between cycles, and clean the gasket as needed.

How to use Affresh washing machine cleaner

Affresh tablets are detergent tablets designed to clean the interiors of dishwashers and washing machines. Our experience with it is that they're designed for places with hard water.

If you constantly find mineral stains on the inside of your washer or on your laundry, Affresh can help keep the deposits to a minimum.

Our one concern is that Affresh contains boric acid, which is a known skin irritant. However, it is one of the best-selling washing machine cleaners—just be cautious when using it.

How to keep your washing machine clean and fresh

Cleaning can fix the odor problem, but mold growth can return if you’re not careful. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to minimize washing machine smells in the future.

If you own a front-loader, you should always use detergents made for high-efficiency machines. Normal detergents produce more suds than your front loader can handle; fewer suds means less scum for stinky lifeforms to cling to.

If you’re accustomed to old detergents, you’ll be shocked at how little the amount of high-efficiency detergent is recommended per load. Read the directions carefully, and don’t use more than you should.

Liquid fabric softener is also off-limits for front-loading washing machines, so do yourself a favor and ditch it.

Once you’ve got the soap situation under control, it’s time to make sure the drum doesn’t stay damp for long periods of time. Always remove your laundry promptly after the cycle ends, and be sure to leave the door open when it’s not in use. This allows the moisture to escape.

You can also run a fan in the laundry room to improve airflow and consider investing in a dehumidifier.

Even with the correct detergent and anti-humidity efforts, there’s no guarantee your washer drum won’t develop some mold buildup without regular cleaning.

If you notice any mold or smells reappearing, wipe down the rubber seal with a cleaning solution made of one part white vinegar and one part water.

Finally, be sure to dispose of any lint that may have accumulated in your machine’s drain trap filter. Once a week should do the trick. The best washing machine cleaner is prevention.

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