Stinky Washing Machine

How To Clean a Washing Machine That Stinks.

How to Get Rid of Mold and Smells In Washers

As usual, there are a myriad of “How To Clean Your Washer” articles out there…each with their own spin, here is the easiest way to clean your front load washer and/or your top load washer. If you’ve got a stinky front-load washing machine, here’s how to get it smelling fresh again:

Clean Gasket: Use a rag or towel to clean the rubber door gasket on a front-loading washer with either hot soapy water or a spritz of mildew cleaner. Make sure to wipe underneath and around it as well. Be prepared for some slime and gunk, and possibly a stray sock or two!

Clean Dispensers: Remove the detergent dispensers and give them a good scrubbing. If they don’t come out, clean them as best you can, using a bottle or pipe cleaner to reach back into the crevices. On top load washers if your dispensers aren’t removable, warm 1 cup of white vinegar in the microwave or in a small saucepan. Pour it into the dispenser and allow it to sit for a few minutes to loosen any build up.

Run Cleaning Cycle Fill the washer with HOT water on the largest water level setting and select the extra rinse option (if applicable). Do not add any clothing. Add 1 cup of TSP (You can find this in the paint department of your local hardware store) – no detergent - and let the machine agitate for a minute, then let set for an hour. After one hour, allow the washer to run through its longest wash and spin cycle.

Repeat Cleaning Cycle Immediately fill the washer with HOT water again and add 2 cups of Odo Ban . (You can find this product at your local hardware store) – no detergent - and let the machine agitate for a minute, then let it sit for one hour.

While it is soaking, dip a scrubber sponge in the OdoBan water and detail all the nooks and crannies of your washer, including the gasket, plastic top, inner lid and fabric softner cup.

If your machine has built-in dispensers, clean those too. After an hour, run the longest wash and spin cycle again.

Your trusty washing machine should now be shiny clean and ready for more abuse

Professional Help: If you’ve tried every way to clean your front-load washer and it still smells, you may have a clogged drain or filter. A qualified washer repair technician can dismantle the machine and clean it for you, or you can unplug the machine and carefully explore and clean it yourself

Preventative Maintenance For Your Washing Machine

Once your machine is clean, follow these tips to keep it that way

• Air It Out: If possible, leave the door of the front-load washer cracked open to allow it to dry thoroughly between cycles. However, you shouldn’t do this if you have children or pets who could be tempted to climb (and possibly become trapped) inside the machine.
• Remove Loads Promptly: Be sure to remove wet clothes as soon as the cycle is finished. Set your washer to beep when it’s done, so you don’t forget. If you happen to forget and leave your laundry in the washer here is an easy fix from Last weeks blog How To Clean You Stinky, Smelly Towels.
• Choose Detergent Wisely: Choose low-sudsing detergents specifically made for high-efficiency (HE) machines. When possible, choose powder over liquid; liquid detergents are usually higher in suds. Unless washing soiled laundry it’s important to use no more than two tablespoons. Powders are much less prone to causing odor than liquid. HE (high efficiency which means low-sudsing) detergent is a must for HE washers.
• Avoid Fabric Softener: Liquid fabric softeners leave residue that contributes to mold in front-load washers. Instead, use dryer sheets or dryer balls to soften your clothes. It’s dispensed in the rinse cycle and tends to collect on the inside of the plastic outer tub. We recommend switching to dryer sheets. Keep in mind dryer sheets can also be overused and cause long dry times, towels to be less absorbent and to retain odor.

• Using mainly cold water for washing . That’s fine but a hot wash or soak as your last cycle on wash day will help dissolve residue buildup. It’s the perfect opportunity to do more soiled laundry. If the washer is not used regularly an extra rinse may also be a good idea.