Get rid of a smelly washing machine
If clean laundry comes out smelling musty, check inside the washer. Mildew can build up in the door seal, detergent drawer and drain filter. Cleaning those spots and leaving the door open between loads usually helps clear the smell. Use HE detergent and not more than the label calls for. Too much soap leaves residue that mildew feeds on.
Why washers get musty
Front-load washers seal tightly and use very little water, which is great for your water bill and not great for drying out. Water, lint and leftover detergent collect in the rubber door seal, the detergent drawer and the drain filter at the bottom, and mildew moves in. Using too much detergent makes it worse, because the extra leaves more residue behind.
Where the smell hides
Water and lint collect in the rubber fold of front-loaders.
Too much soap leaves film in the drum and drawer that mildew feeds on.
Standing water and debris behind the lower panel smell awful.
Trapped moisture is exactly what mildew needs.
| Where it's worst | Clean this |
|---|---|
| Around the door when you open it | The rubber door gasket |
| From the detergent drawer | The drawer and the cavity behind it |
| Deep inside, like standing water | The drain pump filter at the bottom front |
| Clothes smell after washing, not the machine | Too much detergent, or leaving wet loads sitting |
| Top-loader smells | The underside of the agitator and the rim; run a hot clean cycle |
Clean the three hiding spots
- Clean the door gasketPull back the rubber fold and wipe inside with the bleach solution (check your manual first), then wipe again with plain water. Expect lint, hair and some slimy residue. Dry it afterward.
- Scrub the detergent drawerMost drawers pull out completely when you press a tab. Soak and scrub it, and wipe the cavity it slides into.
- Drain and clean the pump filterBehind the small panel at the bottom front, put down towels and a shallow pan, then slowly unscrew the filter. Water will come out. Clear the debris and screw it back tight.
- Run a hot cleaning cycleRun the hottest, longest cycle empty, with a washer cleaner tablet or the cleaner your manual recommends. If you used bleach on the gasket, don't add vinegar to this cycle; some makers also advise against vinegar because it can wear rubber seals.
- Leave the door openAfter every load, leave the door and drawer cracked open so everything dries out.
Watch it done
- The musty smell is gone after the hot cleaning cycle
- The door gasket fold is clean and dry
- The pump filter is clear and screwed back tight with no leaks
- The drawer and cavity are free of slimy residue
Still smells? Check the drain hose isn't pushed too far down the standpipe.
If the smell comes back
The drain pump filter is the spot people most often skip. Also check that the drain hose isn't pushed too far down the standpipe, which can let dirty water siphon back into the washer.
Top-loaders can smell too. Run a hot cycle with vinegar and scrub under the rim and around the agitator.
What a pro typically charges (a rough estimate; prices vary by area): An appliance repair visit typically costs $100–$200.
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