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When you’re pulling your washing out of the machine after a wash, you want to be hit by whatever fragrant scents you’ve chosen in your detergent. But what if that doesn’t happen? What if, instead, you’re hit with foul-smelling odours or an underlying musty smell? No one wants smelly clothes, nor do they want a washing machine which gives off bad smells wherever the door is left open.
We’ve touched on the topic of smelly washing machines briefly before, but this month we’re dedicating a post to answering the question “Why does my washing machine smell?”. We’ll talk about the potential causes and then give some basic cleaning tips which might help eradicate the smell you’re noticing.
What makes a washing machine smell?
With many of us using a lower temperature wash these days to help the environment, it means that more mould and dirt is likely to build up inside your machine. This, in turn, can mean that there is a smell in your washing machine.
Similarly, it could be the seal of your washing machine which is dirty. Most machines have a large, circular piece of rubber between the drum and the door, usually featuring a flap which you can gently pull back. Under this rubber seal, if you notice a build-up of grime and dirt, then you may have found the cause of any bad smells.
If you use the detergent drawer to fill your washing machine with liquids and powders, it might be this area of the machine which is giving off a bad odour. If any residue is left behind and sits for long enough, it will become grimy and eventually gives off a less than appealing smell.
Another reason for a smelly washing machine is poor plumbing. If your washing machine doesn’t drain properly, stagnant water could be sitting in your pipes or drum for days. Not only could this create a bad smell, but it also makes it easier for mould and bacteria to populate. In some cases of bad plumbing you could also have dirty water from your kitchen sick returns to your appliance (not all types of washing machines could be affected).
How to get rid of bad smells in washing machines
If you’ve been able to narrow the cause of the smell down, you might have a chance of tackling it. Even if you’re unsure, some of these following steps are likely to help.