Suppose you own a front-loading washing machine, congratulations! You are saving energy and water and treating your delicate garments gently while getting a superior clean. However, one day, you might open your front loader’s door and realize that your washing machine smells bad. Well, say hello to mildew.
This rotten egg smell may be coming from a rubber gasket at the washer’s front section, where mildew might be growing. The bad news is that this weird stink can transfer from the washer to your clothes. So, why does your washing machine smells bad?
Here’s why a washing machine smells bad
We will discuss the reasons your washing machine smells more like a rotten egg. Note that reasons #1 and #2 refer to the front-load washers. So, if you own a top load washing machine, skip straight to reason #3.
1. Something is stuck in the appliance’s door seal.
Front-loader washing machines have a large rubber door seal, also known as a gasket or a bellow. It stops water from getting out of the washing machine during a laundry cycle. Sometimes, a piece of clothing can get stuck inside the bellow. Over time, it gets covered in Mildew. If not addressed for a long time, it will begin to smell like sewage or a rotten egg.
It’s recommended to leave the door open after each cycle to allow your machine to dry out. If your washing machine is already smelly, remove all loose clothing items and give the door seal a good clean with soapy, hot water.
2. Clogged pump or drain plug
Another possible cause of a smelly washing machine is a clogged drain plug, particularly in front-loader water. Most models have a drain plug at the bottom of the machine on the back, sides, or front of the appliance. To find out if the plug is clogged, do the following;
- Locate the drain plug
- Remove the drain plug’s cover plate
- Turn the cap off. Have a dry towel handy because some water might leak out of the plug
- Reach into the hole, find the drain filter, and remove it
- Wash the filter and the drain plug with soapy hot water.
- Clean the grime in the hose by pouring hot water mixed with white vinegar into the washer drum
Once you have cleaned all the parts of your smelly washer, put them back. If, after cleaning, your washing machine smells bad, it’s recommended to run it on a cleaning cycle. Also, you may want to check the sewer.
3. A dirty washing machine
Suppose you have a top-loader washer with a musty smell. In that case, you should give it a good clean. Failure to clean your washing machine regularly could lead to a build-up of grime, mildew, soap scum, and mold – the leading causes of washing machine smells or odors. Here’s how you can clean your washing machine effectively;
- Open the appliance’s door
- Please set it to the largest load capacity and hottest setting
- Add about 4 cups of bleach or normal detergent to the water inside (once it starts to fill up)
- Once full, close the lid and turn the appliance to a long spin
- Once the cycle ends, leave it for an hour before turning it on to a standard wash cycle
- Repeat step three but this time, add 3 cups of bleach instead of four
- Close the again and turn the appliance into a long spin
- Once the spin ends, open the lid, wipe the appliance clean, and leave it open for a few hours to dry before you use it.
4. Clogged sewer
If cleaning your washing appliance didn’t work, the last reason you are getting a sewage smell in your laundry room is a clogged sewer or drain. If this happens, the bad smell can easily go through the drain hose and into the washing machine.
Final thoughts
After addressing all the reasons your washing machine smells bad, the next time you open its door, you won’t be afraid of breathing deeply. Rather than that foul-smelling funk, you will enjoy the scent of success. If you need laundry services in Toronto, be sure to contact Do My laundry.
