How to clean a smelly washing machine
Nothing gets quite up our noses like the damp smell from a washing machine. Worse still, when it leaves our clothes smelling musty and unclean, despite a 3-hour cycle. The culprit is usually a build-up of residue combined with a warm, humid environment that’s ideal for bacterial growth and mould. Hence the offensive smell.
To clean a smelly washing machine, use a specially designed deep cleaner every 1 to 2 months or after every 30 washes. Wash the seal with soapy water to get rid of scum and take out the detergent drawer and clean it in soapy water.
Read on for more on how to keep your washing machine – and clothes – smelling fresh.
Why does my washing machine smell?
Modern detergents work brilliantly at just 30°C and even 20°C these days, which is great news for your energy bill. Unfortunately, it’s less kind to your washing machine. Regular cool washes leave a film of detergent, fabric softener and dirt that doesn’t fully come out in the rinse cycle. Washing on the hottest setting is less kind to clothes, the machine and your wallet, but does do a better job of dissolving the grease that odour-causing bacteria feed on.
How do I know my washing machine needs a clean?
The first tell-tale sign that your washing machine needs a clean is a nasty, musty smell when you open the door. The visible signs are a grubby, speckled, slimy rubber door seal and a caked-up detergent drawer. Read more in our blog Signs your washing machine needs cleaning.
How to clean a smelly washing machine
Here are the steps to clean a smelly washing machine using a dedicated cleaning product.
If you prefer a home remedy, there are many advocates for a mixture of bicarb (or ‘baking soda’, it’s the same thing), soda crystals, and two cups of distilled white vinegar, poured straight in the detergent dispenser.
While this can certainly freshen things up, it will struggle to shift tough mineral deposits in the same way as a dedicated washing machine cleaner. And while distilled vinegar has some antibacterial properties, it won’t be effective in killing all bacterial growth once it’s diluted.
Chlorine bleach should always be avoided as it’s ineffective on limescale and harsh on your washing machine components.
Deep clean your washing machine drum
First, empty the machine completely – the next wash will just have to wait. The deep-cleaning solution needs to make full contact with the drum, pipes, and heating element to do its magic.
Place a dedicated washing machine deep-cleaning product in the machine according to the instructions, then run a hot cycle. A 60°C cleaning cycle does two things your normal cycle can’t: it shifts greasy residue and kills the bacteria in it.
Dr. Beckmann Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner is more than up to the job. Just pour the powder straight in the drum and set a hot cycle. The active oxygen and carbon formula lifts dirt and detergent residue and kills 99.99% of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Sit back for a while and let the cycle do all the work. When the cycle is done, wipe the door and leave it ajar to help the drum air dry and help prevent mould and mildew.
Don’t forget the rubber door seal
In between deep cleans, check the rubber door seal regularly. Peel it back gently and look inside. It’s not uncommon to find a build-up of sludge, hair, tissue or even the odd coin.
Using an old toothbrush, a sponge and warm soapy water to wash the seal thoroughly.
Alternatively, use Dr. Beckmann Service-it Washing Machine Cleaner. Pour 10 ml (2-3 splashes or 2 tsp) of the liquid on a sponge, then wipe the detergent drawer, window pane & rubber seal. To clean inside the machine, pour the remaining contents of the bottle into the main detergent compartment and wash at 60°C.
Once you’re done, dry the seal with a clean cloth to prevent dampness and mould from returning.
Clean the detergent drawer
On most machines, the drawer pops out completely, usually with a small catch. Check your owner’s manual if you’re not sure rather than forcing it.
Put the drawer in the sink or a bucket, and soak it in warm water with a little washing-up liquid. Then give it a clean with an old toothbrush, paying particular attention to the corners and syphon caps where scum and mould settle.
Wipe down the housing behind the drawer as far as you can reach and dry everything before refitting the drawer.
Freshen your washing machine between deep cleans
If you notice a slight smell between deep cleans, use Dr. Beckmann Washing Machine Freshener Tabs to neutralise them. They go straight in the drum on a quick wash at 30°C or above. The dual freshness formula removes smells rather than masking them, helping to keep your laundry fresh.
How often should you clean your washing machine?
Plan to clean your machine every 1 to 2 months, or about every 30 cycles. If you live in a hard water area or never use high temperatures, go monthly.
A lot of people schedule a deep clean for the first laundry day of the month to keep it routine.
Tips to prevent washing machine smells
- Leave the door and detergent drawer open after washes to air dry them and avoid dampness
- Don’t leave clean washing in the drum – take it out as soon as it’s done to avoid it getting damp and musty
- Use the right detergent dose to avoid an unnecessary build-up of residue
- Don’t use too much fabric softener as it can also lead to build-up
- Alternate cool washes with the occasional hot wash for things like towels and bedding
- Wipe the seal and door weekly with a damp cloth and detergent if necessary, and don’t forget to dry it
- Clean your detergent drawer every four to five uses to stop it getting clogged up
Best products for removing washing machine odours
At Dr. Beckmann, we recommend three products to keep your washing machine clean, hygienic and smelling fresh.
Service-it Washing Machine Cleaner is designed for routine cleaning and maintenance. It is a dual-use liquid for cleaning both the internal and external parts of your machine.
Service-it Deep Clean Washing Machine Cleaner is a powder designed to deep-clean the internal parts of your machine. It’s the one to reach for if there is a foul smell, you live in a hard-water area, you only ever use a cool wash, or someone in the household has been ill.
We recommend alternating the two every other month for a hygienic, clean washing machine and fresh-smelling clothes.
In between cleans, use Washing Machine Freshener Tabs on a quick cycle to keep the drum fresh.
Frequently asked questions about smelly washing machines
Why does my washing machine smell even after washing clothes?
Fear not, the smell is coming from the machine, not your clothes. It is caused by a buildup of residue, limescale, and bacteria and can be easily removed with a dedicated deep cleaner.
Do cold washes cause bad odours?
Cool washes are gentler on fabrics and energy-saving, but they don’t get hot enough to tackle bacteria and leave more residue behind. So if you only ever use a 20°C, 30°C or 40°C wash, it’s best to run the odd hot wash, ideally with a washing machine cleaning product.
Can regular maintenance improve washing machine performance?
Limescale and residue coat the heating element and drum of your machine, so it has to work harder and takes longer to heat up. Deep cleaning your washing machine regularly helps protect performance and prevent expensive repair jobs.