Causes of a Smelly Washing Machine & How to Clean It

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Get rid of mold and other funky smells with these expert-approved tips

Co-authored by James Sears and Devin McSween

Last Updated: April 4, 2025 Fact Checked

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Causes of Odor

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Cleaning Your Washer

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Odor Prevention

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Video

While a washing machine is meant to keep your clothes clean, mold and bacteria can grow over time, leaving you with smelly clothes and an underperforming machine. Fortunately, this guide will walk you through some common causes of a smelly machine. Plus, we've got advice from cleaning experts on how to remove the odor and clean your washing machine the right way.

Reasons Your Washing Machine Smells

A smelly washing machine is usually caused by a buildup of body oil and dirt, standing water, detergent residue, a dirty filter, or drainage issues. Mix 1/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of baking soda and pour it into the detergent dispenser, then add 2 cups of white vinegar to the drum and run a hot wash cycle.

Section 1 of 3:

Common Causes of a Smelly Washing Machine

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Smells are caused by mold, detergent residue, and dirty filters. When water and detergent get trapped inside your machine or wet laundry sits for a while, mold, mildew, and bacteria can build up and create odors. Dirty filters can also cause smells by redistributing debris and odors to your clothes, leading to a stinky washer. Smells can also be caused by:
- An unleveled washing machine: When a machine is off-balanced or unleveled, it can prevent the water from draining properly. The standing water can create funky odors or even attract pests.^{[1]
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- Drainage issues: If your machine smells like rotten eggs or garbage, it's a sign there's a clog in the drainage hose, filters, or tubes. This can also reduce your machine's efficiency.

Section 2 of 3:

How to Clean Your Washing Machine

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1
Run a hot wash cycle with bleach or baking soda and vinegar. Combine ¹⁄₄ c (2.0 fl oz) of water and ¹⁄₄ c (2.0 fl oz) of baking soda to get rid of mold or mildew. Pour the solution into the soap dispenser on your machine. In an empty washer, pour 2 c (16 fl oz) of white vinegar. Lock the door and run a hot wash cycle.^{[2]
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- Alternatively, Professional Cleaner James Sears recommends filling the detergent drawer with bleach before running the washer. Select the “clean” or “maintenance” settings. Then, run a second cycle with water to rinse any lingering bleach.^{[3]
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- Use a commercial washing machine cleaner as a substitution for a DIY solution.
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Use hot water and soap to wipe the seals and gaskets. House Cleaning Professional Chris Willatt recommends cleaning a smelly machine by opening the washer door and wiping the rubber lip with a soft brush or damp cloth.^{[4]
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Chris Willatt
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Expert Interview} Pull the rubber back to check for any lingering objects or debris, and wipe with a dry cloth.
- Use an all-purpose cleaner or spray a 1:1 ratio of white vinegar and water if you see mold or mildew.
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Clean your washing machine filter to remove debris. Find your filter behind a trap door on the front of the machine, in the center agitator, top lip of the drum, or at the end of the drainage hose. Use a paper towel to remove any visible debris. Then, soak the filter in hot, soapy water for 10 minutes. Allow it to air dry before replacing it.^{[5]
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- Clean the filter every 3 months.
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Soak the detergent dispenser in hot water. Remove the detergent drawer by gently lifting the tray out of its slot. Rinse the drawer under warm water, wipe away any detergent or fabric softener buildup, and let it dry.^{[6]
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- Between loads, dry the drawer with a paper towel or leave it open to air out to help prevent mold or mildew buildup.
Rest a level atop the machine. If the bubble is uncentered, slip shims or something similar under the machine's feet.^{[7]
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Pour white vinegar and baking soda into the drainpipe for sewage odors. Pull the machine away from the wall. Detach the drain hose from the permanent standpipe and pour equal parts white vinegar and baking soda into the drainpipe.^{[8]
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- If there’s a clog, use a wire hanger or a plumbing snake to twist and pull any debris caught inside the drain hose.
- There may be an issue with the plumbing if the smell doesn't disappear. Call a plumbing specialist for further assistance.
- On average, a washing machine repair costs $150. However, prices may vary depending on the severity of the issue and the type of machine you have.^{[9]
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Section 3 of 3:

Odor Prevention

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Excessive suds can prevent your washer from tumbling properly and cleaning thoroughly. Opt for high-efficiency detergents which are low-sudsing and keep soiled detergents from being re-deposited onto cleaned laundry.^{[10]
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An easy way to prevent mildew and mold is by immediately transferring your clothes from the wash to the dryer. This prevents moisture from lingering in the machine too long.^{[11]
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Leave the washer door wide open after each cycle. Leave your front or top-loading washer door open to allow moisture to escape. This will help prevent mold, mildew, and bacteria growth, which contribute to a smelly washer.^{[12]
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- If you have young children around, lock the door to your laundry room to prevent them from playing around the machine.^{[13]
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Run a "maintenance cycle" weekly or monthly. Some washers, like high-efficiency machines, have a "maintenance cycle." This setting runs a full wash cycle without any laundry to keep the inside clean and free from buildup. If there's no "maintenance cycle" button, select the hot water setting, then select the "extra rinse" option. Add liquid bleach to the dispenser and run the cycle. ^{[14]
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- “If [you] don’t use [your washing machine] all that often, you can get away with every six months or every two months.” Professional Cleaner Ashley Matuska also recommends washing the machine with vinegar every 3 months.^{[15]
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Join the Discussion...

How do I get my front load washer to stop smelling?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional

The best thing you can do is preventative maintenance. Clean the filter monthly. After you use the washing machine, always leave its door a little bit open, so that you don't give the water time to sit in there, build up, and create that mildew.

If it's too late for that, you can use vinegar: pour a good amount of vinegar down in there and run a cycle to hit the mildew. Then open it up, wipe out the lid area that you can access with a microfiber cloth or rag, and then leave the door open to let it air out.