How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine

Smelly washing machine: identify the odor source and the boundary

A smelly washing machine usually has trapped moisture, detergent residue, body oils, lint, or dirty water in one or more areas that stay damp between loads. On a front-loading washer, inspect the door gasket, especially the lower fold. On a top-loading washer, check under the lid, around the agitator or impeller, and near the dispenser. Both designs may retain residue in detergent drawers, drain filters, pump areas, or the drum.

This routine covers accessible, manufacturer-approved surfaces: the gasket or tub rim, removable dispensers, the drum, and the exterior. It does not cover opening sealed cabinet panels, cleaning internal hoses, repairing a drain pump, removing a persistent sewer odor from plumbing, or remediating extensive mold. Do not use this routine on clothing or other laundry items. If the smell comes from a nearby floor drain, wall, or utility sink instead of the washer, the source may be plumbing or water damage.

Preparation

Read the washer’s use-and-care manual before cleaning. Look for instructions about a dedicated Clean Washer cycle, a tub-clean product, removable dispensers, a drain-pump filter, and approved cleaning agents. Model instructions take priority because seals, finishes, filters, and wash-cycle requirements differ.

Gather microfiber cloths, an old soft toothbrush or soft nylon brush, warm water, disposable or washable gloves, and a small basin or towel. Use a mild detergent only where the manual allows it. If the manual calls for a commercially labeled washer cleaner or chlorine bleach, use that product exactly as directed. Do not improvise a stronger concentration or combine products. Keep children and pets away from the work area.

Step-by-step routine

1. Empty and ventilate the washer. Remove all clothing and check the drum for socks, labels, or debris. Turn off the washer. If your model has a plug that can be safely reached, unplug it before cleaning removable parts. Open the door or lid and allow any standing water to cool and settle.

2. Inspect the gasket, tub rim, and lid area. Pull back the front-loader gasket gently and look for hair, lint, coins, detergent film, or pooled water. For a top-loader, inspect the underside of the lid and the rim around the basket. Remove loose debris by hand while wearing gloves. Do not pull or stretch the seal.

3. Clean accessible rubber and plastic surfaces. Wipe the gasket folds, tub rim, lid area, and surrounding plastic with a damp cloth. For residue in seams, use a soft brush and a small amount of mild detergent if the manual permits it. Wipe again with clean water so detergent is not left behind. Dry these areas thoroughly, including the lower gasket fold.

4. Remove and clean the dispenser. Take out the detergent, bleach, and softener drawer or cups only as described in the manual. Rinse removable plastic parts with warm water. Use a soft brush for hardened residue in openings, but do not force a tool into a water inlet or siphon channel. Wipe the dispenser cavity, then rinse and dry the parts before replacing them. If a component does not detach, wipe the accessible area rather than prying it loose.

5. Check the user-accessible drain filter only if instructed. Some washers have a drain-pump filter behind a small access door; others do not. Follow the manual for the location and procedure. Place a shallow container and towels where directed because trapped water may spill. Remove only debris the manual identifies as removable, then reinstall the filter securely. Stop if the filter is stuck, the access area is damaged, or water continues to flow unexpectedly.

6. Run the washer-cleaning cycle. With the drum empty, select the washer’s Clean Washer, Tub Clean, or equivalent cycle. Use the approved cleaner and quantity listed in the manual or on the product label. If the manual permits chlorine bleach instead, follow its exact instructions and the bleach label. Never add vinegar, an acidic descaler, ammonia, detergent, or another cleaner in the same cycle. Keep the room ventilated and do not interrupt the cycle unless the manual says to do so.

7. Rinse when the instructions require it. Some products or machines call for an additional empty rinse. Run that rinse if specified. Do not add another chemical to “neutralize” the first one. After the cycle, inspect the drum and gasket for loosened residue and wipe it away with a clean damp cloth.

8. Dry and reset the routine. Leave the door or lid open when safe and practical so the interior can dry. Leave the dispenser partially open if the design allows it. Wipe standing water from the gasket and dispenser area after future loads. Use the correct detergent amount for the machine and water conditions; excess product can leave more residue rather than improving cleaning.

When to stop

Stop cleaning and arrange service if the washer leaks, smells strongly of burning or sewage, trips a breaker, makes a new grinding sound, or will not drain. Also stop if you find extensive mold-like growth, damaged rubber, corrosion, contaminated standing water, or residue inside an inaccessible cabinet area. EPA guidance distinguishes routine surface cleaning from larger mold or moisture problems; extensive contamination or an unresolved water source may require a qualified professional.

A recurring odor after two or three manufacturer-approved cleaning cycles may indicate a blocked drain, poor hose installation, a failing pump, a damaged gasket, or a plumbing problem. Cleaning the visible surfaces will not correct those causes. Avoid repeatedly increasing bleach or cleaner concentrations, since stronger chemicals can damage materials and create hazardous vapors.

FAQ

Can I use vinegar to clean a smelly washing machine?

Only if the washer manual and the product instructions specifically allow it. Never use vinegar in the same cleaning session or cycle as chlorine bleach or an alkaline cleaner. Because washer materials and cleaning programs vary, an approved washer cleaner or the machine’s prescribed cycle is the more defensible choice.

Should I leave the washing-machine door open?

If the washer is in a safe location and the manufacturer does not prohibit it, leaving the door or lid open between loads helps the accessible interior dry. Keep the opening out of children’s reach and do not leave it open where it creates a walkway hazard.

Why does the smell return after cleaning?

The source may be a damp gasket fold, dispenser channel, drain filter, or hose that was not cleaned or dried. Overdosing detergent, washing mostly in cool water, leaving wet laundry inside, or a drainage defect can also contribute. Check the manual and inspect the accessible areas again before repeating chemical cleaning.

Source note

This routine follows CDC guidance to clean surfaces before disinfecting when disinfection is needed, to use products as directed, and never to mix incompatible chemicals. Whirlpool’s washer-care guidance illustrates why the model manual should control the cleaning cycle and product choice. EPA mold-cleanup guidance supports stopping and escalating when moisture damage or extensive growth exceeds ordinary household surface cleaning.