Getting Rid Of Washing Machine Smell

Below is an excellent video showing how to get rid of washing machine smell.

You know what I'm talking about right, when you open your washing machine door or lid and get a whiff of something not so great, right?

Generally this smell is coming from bacterial growth or mold and mildew buildup.

This can happen to both a top loading or front loading machine, but is especially a problem with front loaders because of the tight seal on the doors of these machines.

The mold, mildew and bacteria build up for lots of reasons, including that your washing machine can be a warm dark damp place.

If you normally wash a load or two a week using chlorine bleach and/or very hot water you are less likely to have a build up of mildew, mold and smell because these things naturally kill all that smelly stuff.

However, if you accidentally leave clothes in the washing machine for a while, or don't let the washing machine dry out before closing the door completely you can get a smelly washer.

The video below is very informative, and discusses how to clean the three areas of your washing machine which are most likely to get a build up of mold and mildew.

Those three areas are your detergent drawer, your washing machine door seal, and the lint filter.

The video demonstrates how to

clean the mold and mildew from the machine with a kitchen bleach spray and an old toothbrush, and how to wash the removable parts in hot water and bleach solution in your sink.

It also had some helpful hints to prevent washing machine smell in the future including:

Leaving the door and detergent drawer open after every wash to allow them to dry thoroughly; and

To routinely (they suggest once a month) run the machine on hot water with a product designed to remove limescale and detergent buildup (see below the video for some recommendations).

Tell me in the comments how these tips worked for you.

You can share your tips for how to clean washing machine here, or read other tips already submitted.

Washing Machine Cleaners

Here are some available washing machine cleaners you can use, on a routine basis, to keep your washing machine from developing a smell in the future.

I've collected reviews from readers about some of these washing machine cleaners, so you can learn more about them here:

Affresh Washer Cleaner Reviews

Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner Review

Smelly Washer Cleaner Review

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner Reviews

Lemi Shine Appliance Cleaner

Photo by theogeo

Comments for Getting Rid Of Washing Machine Smell

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No cost cleaning of washer
by: Patsy

This just in!!! To get rid of the funky smell in a newer front loading washer NEVER SHUT THE DOOR between loads. It is that simple. There is a rubber gasket around the door that has a fold that catches paper clips, buttons, coins and soapy water. Wipe this out occasionally with a paper towel or rag with a little bleach on it. And DON'T shut the door. The gasket dries out and there is no mouldy smell. Couldn't be simpler. Or cheaper.

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Hi, I'm Taylor, a busy mom with 3 kids, so I have lots of hands on experience with house cleaning, laundry and my fair share of spots, spills and other messy catastrophes. Thanks for visiting my site.

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