Knowing how to stop a washing machine from smelling is a worthwhile skill that will protect your clothes and keep your washing machine in good condition. Whether it’s down to a clogged filter or mould, let’s face it, a smelly washing machine is never a welcome occurrence.
Overall, learning how to clean a washing machine properly will be your best friend in the mission to keep your washing machine from smelling.
‘Mould and mildew tend to build up in warm and wet environments – your washing machine is a place this is likely to occur if it’s not cleaned regularly,’ warns Astonish’s cleaning expert and Product Development Scientist, Olivia Young. ‘You might find unpleasant odours start to develop, which could reflect onto your clothing, far from the fresh scent you want.’
Mould and mildew are the top reasons for a bad-smelling washing machine, so educating yourself on how to clean mould from a washing machine is worth looking into if the smell is getting more pungent by the day.
But how do you stop your washing machine from smelling? And which other factors could contribute to a pungent odour? Well, the experts have shared some of their top tips along with a step-by-step guide to stop your washing machine from smelling whiffy.
What causes a washing machine to smell?
‘A smelly washer is caused by dirt deposits and detergent residues in drains, filters and seals. This is certainly true when you use liquid detergents,’ explains John Zentveld, Senior Product Specialist at HG.
‘The fact that many detergents are now much more concentrated and the washing temperatures much lower, makes it even worse.’
And as ‘mould and mildew tend to build up in warm and wet environments – your washing machine is a place this is likely to occur if it’s not cleaned regularly,’ warns Astonish’s cleaning expert and Product Development Scientist, Olivia Young. ‘You might find unpleasant odours start to develop, which could reflect onto your clothing, far from the fresh scent you want.’
How to stop a washing machine from smelling
So, before you go to run another load of laundry through your washing machine, here are the steps you’ll want to take to keep it smelling pleasant all year round.
1. Remove the finished load immediately
Many of us may pop on a load of washing while we work on other tasks or get on with our day. And it’s easy to leave your freshly washed towels or clothes in the washing machine for a few hours without even realising how quickly the time has passed. But you’ll want to avoid doing this, both to keep your clothes and your washing machine smelling their best.
‘If you leave your laundry in the washing machine for too long, you can end up with odour molecules in the laundry (making it less fresh as soon as it is ironed or worn), but worse still you can end up with bacteria in the washing machine that feed on grease flecks,’ explains John.
‘Grease flecks are a greasy substance that remains in the washing machine after washing. This is dirt caused by skin grease and flakes coagulating with non-soluble components of your detergent. Grease flecks are a feeding ground for bacteria.’
‘Once the washing is complete, remove the finished load immediately, transferring it to the dryer, or putting it to dry,’ advises Elliott Gee, Laundry Product Manager at Haier, Hoover and Candy. ‘Leaving the laundry wet inside the washing machine can cause mould and mildew to fester.’
2. Leave the washing machine door ajar
You may already do this, but if you’re not leaving your washing machine door open or ajar after you’ve removed your laundry, this can also lead to a musty odour.
‘Without proper air circulation, residual moisture inside the washer can’t evaporate, leading to a buildup of odour-causing bacteria and mould,’ says Ava Wilson, Chief Editor at Unclutterer.
As well as keeping the door ajar, John also advises ‘leaving the detergent tray and the door of the washing machine open after every load. It means the moisture in the damp washing machine can evaporate, reducing the chance of bacteria.’
3. Dry the drum
It’s easy to forget to dry the washing machine drum after it’s finished a load of washing, but giving it a quick wipe down after each use can remove excess moisture and prevent a musty or mouldy smell from materialising.
You may not have thought about the inner workings of a washing machine, but the machine’s moist interior, particularly the rubber gasket and drum, encourages the growth of mildew’ and mould, according to RGBDirect’s appliance expert Dennis Digwa. So, you want to ensure that it remains as dry as possible after each use.
4. Pay attention to the inside rubber door seal
Mould and mildew ‘commonly form around the rubber door seal,’ Ava affirms. And this is because it often remains wet or damp for many hours after you take your washing out of the machine.
‘It starts to smell if it is not cleaned properly. You can clean the rubber seal with a sponge or kitchen cloth and some green soap in water. Make sure you clean between all the folds. If there is a lot of dirt, use a toothbrush to clean the rubber seal,’ advises John.
And, do make sure you regularly clean the seals of your washing machine, as the wet environment can lead to residue forming, which will transfer to your clothes if not removed.
5. Routinely clean the detergent drawer
‘The detergent we pour in the dispenser for the laundry is not always used completely by the washing machine,’ Elliott reveals. Because of this ‘the detergent that isn’t used remains encrusted in the drawer and transforms into mould.’
‘To effectively clean it and get rid of the bacteria, you can easily remove the drawer, then soak it for half an hour in hot water; to remove the mould from hard-to-reach corners, you can use a toothbrush,’ Elliott explains.
Katy Roberts, washing machine expert at AO.com, concurs. ‘Every couple of months, pull the detergent drawer out and with a toothbrush and hot, soapy water, scrub away any detergent or gunk buildup. Then, leave it to air dry fully before putting it back in the machine.’
6. Use the recommended amount of laundry detergent and fabric softener
Another cause of a smelly washing machine is by putting too much detergent into your appliance. ‘This can leave a sticky buildup, which over time, traps dirt, grime and creates quite the stench,’ explains Katy Roberts, washing machine expert at AO.
‘These days, detergents are super-concentrated. Remember that a low dose is enough for your laundry load,’ adds John.
‘If you use too much detergent, this causes excessive foaming. This foam stays behind on the seals and hoses of the washing machine, causing more grease flecks, and the washing machine starts to smell.’
7. Run a programme at 90 or 95 degrees
A great way to keep your washing machine smelling its best is by running it without anything in it – this includes no detergent – every month or so, depending on how often you use your machine.
‘Run a programme without laundry at 90 or 95 degrees. It removes bacteria and loosens scale. Add a dishwasher tablet or bleach instead of detergent for an optimum fresh effect,’ advises John. ‘Leave the door of the washing machine open for a few hours to ensure the drum can dry completely.’
Katy Roberts, AO’s washing machine expert, adds, ‘by carrying out a monthly maintenance wash with the right products, you can keep everything running in top nick.’
‘The go-to product is white vinegar – pour this into the detergent drawer and run this on its hottest cycle while empty. The mix will kill bacteria, dissolve any limescale and simply freshen up its drum. You can also pop a couple of teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda into the drum, which can help tackle any odours, while citric acid is equally useful for dissolving mineral build-up and keeps your drum shining.’
8. Check the filter
It’s always worth checking your filter for any trapped dirt that could be causing a lingering smell, advises John.
‘A blocked filter can make your washing machine smell. If there are lots of bits in the filter, it is more difficult for the dirty water to reach the drain,’ advises John. Remember to clean the drum of the washing machine, because that often has bits of dirt.’
Washing machine cleaning essentials
Miniml Eco White Vinegar Cleaning, Unscented
Cut through all the built-up grime in your washing machine with good old white vinegar.
Spontex Microfibre Cloths, 8 pack
These soft microfibre cloths will not only help clear away any residue but will also give a sparkling polish, as you don’t want to use anything too abrasive when cleaning a washing machine.
Dr. Beckmann Service-It Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner
Dr. Beckmann’s washing machine cleaner removes 99.99% of bacteria, viruses and fungi which can lead to bad and unpleasant odours so it’s a must-buy.
FAQs
How often should you be cleaning your washing machine?
Instead of having to dedicate a day to thoroughly cleaning your washing machine every few months, giving it a quick wipe down after each use and keeping the door ajar will help to keep your washing machine smelling pleasant for longer.
Why is it important to keep on top of cleaning your washing machine?
While ‘regular cleaning prevents the growth of mould and bacteria that cause unpleasant smells,’ a clean machine also ‘ensures optimal washing performance and efficiency,’ Dennis proffers.
Taking care of your washing machine can prolong and extend the life of the appliance as well. ‘A clean washer operates more efficiently, using less energy and completing cycles quickly,’ Ava clarifies. So, keeping your washing machine clean can have several different benefits.
Can hard water make your washing machine smell?
If you live in an area of the UK which has hard water, this could also contribute to a buildup that gives off an unpleasant odour. This is ‘caused by the mineral accumulation from hard water,’ Dennis adds. So, you’ll want to keep an eye on this.
Are there any natural cleaning solutions for a smelly washing machine?
If you’re keen to use more natural cleaning products, ‘a popular natural cleaning method for washing machines is to pour two cups of vinegar into the detergent drawer and then run on a hot cycle,’ says Catharina. ‘The naturally occurring acidity in the vinegar will kill any bacteria and break down any grime inside the machine.’
‘Adding bicarbonate of soda to your washing machine is a must. It’s a natural deodoriser and a gentle cleaner that, when combined with vinegar, can work miracles,’ says Katy Roberts, AO’s washing machine expert.
‘To deep clean, add this to your washing machine’s drum and place vinegar in the drawer before running this on its hottest cycle. This will freshen up your washing machine and gently clean it without damaging it or your clothes – a complete win-win situation!’
And lastly, another natural solution which you may already have in your fridge or fruit bowl, ‘the natural acidity in lemon juice helps break down residues, and its fresh scent leaves the machine smelling clean,’ Ava concludes. This is because it ‘as a natural antibacterial agent,’ Dennis affirms.
Farewell, bad washing machine smells! Have you any good to tips to keep yours smelling fresh? Let us know in the comments!
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