How to Get Rid of The Bad Smell in the Washing Machine

Most often, you can do without a plumber.

Why does the washing machine smell

Most often, an unpleasant odor appears if mold has started in the washing machine. This is typical for front-loading machines. Unlike vertical machines, these machines need less water per cycle. Everything goes well when you use the automatic powder, measuring its amount according to the instructions. However, there is a lot of foam if you use extra product or if it is only meant for hand washing. The typewriter cannot completely wash it off. As a result, a soapy residue remains on the drum and door seal, on which dust and dirt from clothes stick. In warm and damp conditions, this mixture becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus.

Another possible reason is a blockage in the drain hose or sewer pipe. It stops filthy water from draining, which causes it to occasionally remain in the washing machine. This may give off a musty odor. And moisture also promotes the growth of mold.

Read also: Having a Hard Time Washing Your Baby Clothes? Read This

How to get rid of the smell in the washing machine

The machine does not clean itself during washing. If you don't want the musty smell to be transferred to your belongings, clean the machine, It's simple.

Step 1: do a service wash.

When you wash at 40 degrees, mold and bacteria do not die. Consequently, you must at least once per month carry out a service wash without laundry and powder. Take a look at the instructions for the machine. Perhaps the manufacturer has written which loop to use. If not, simply choose the longest mode at the highest temperature. This will clean the drum and drain the hose.

If you think your regular service wash will not deal with the unpleasant odor, add a typewriter detergent to the powder compartment. Household chemicals can be replaced with what is at home.

  • Soda and vinegar. Mix ¼ cup water with the same amount of baking soda. The resulting solution adds to the detergent drawer. Pour 2 cups of vinegar into the drum of the machine.
  • Lemon acid. Pour in a glass of granular acid into the drum of the machine. After the service wash, switch on the rinse mode to rinse out the remaining detergent.
  • Bleach. Pour in no more than 60 milliliters of liquid into the powder compartment. Do not add other detergents. This may damage the machine. If, after the service wash, the drum smells like bleach, run it again, but with no load.

Step 2: wipe the rubber cuff.

It contains water, detergent, and lint from clothes— combine water and table vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Put on gloves, dampen a cloth in the solution, and wipe the rubber thoroughly. To clean hard-to-reach areas, slightly pull the seal away from the drum. If stains are still visible after washing, it is a most likely mold that will remain forever. Consider replacing the cuff.

Moisture builds up mold on the seal. Sometimes it is impossible to get rid of it.

Step 3: wash the detergent drawer.

Remove the drawer from the washing machine and soak in a bowl of soapy water. Then wipe the part with a damp cloth. If mold or powder remains on the cuvette, apply a detergent, such as bleach, and scrub with an old toothbrush. Then rinse the tray completely under running water.

If you do not dry the cuvette after washing, mold may develop. Do not forget to clean the case where the drawer is located. At the top, it has holes for water supply. Some of them may be clogged with mold. Remove it with a brush or brush.

How to Get Rid of The Bad Smell in the Washing Machine
Images source: Reproduction/Internet

Step 4: Clean the drain pump filter

Unplug the clipper and then find the filter. The part is at the bottom left and is covered by a small hatch. Open this cover and place a rag under the machine. Now you can unscrew the filter. Water will flow from the hole where it stands. When it drains, wash the part under running water. It most likely will consist of threads and hair. About once per month, this cleaning should be performed.

Step 5: remove the blockage.

Check the drain hose if the preceding methods were ineffective.It occasionally stays clogged even after a service wash. For example, it could be a hair plug.

Disconnect the hose from the washing machine and put it in a bucket: water will drain out. Remove the other end of the part from the pipe. After attaching the hose to the faucet, start the water flow. The jet will push out the debris.

If cleaning the hose does not help and the blockage is in the pipe, call a plumber.

What to do to stop smelling in the washing machine

If you don't want to clean your machine too often, try preventing odors. There are various methods for doing that.

Find the right laundry detergent.

To reiterate, front-loading machines cannot handle a lot of foam. Choose a powder for automatic washing and read the instructions for it. Manufacturers usually indicate how much detergent is needed per cycle.

Also read: How to Remove Mold from a Top-Loader Washing Machine

Keep the drum dry

A closed and damp machine is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, take out the laundry immediately after washing. Keep the drum and powder tray open. So the technique will dry out faster. Install a fan or dehumidifier in the space, if you can.

Wipe down the rubber cuff regularly.

The correct powder does not guarantee that there will be no mold deposits on the seal. Therefore, after each wash, stuck debris should be removed from the cuff's folds and then wipe the rubber with a dry cloth. Use a vinegar/water solution once a month.

Adapted and translated by The Cop Cart Staff

Sources: Life hacker