Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? How to Clean It and Stop the Odor

Your washing machine smells because mold, mildew, and bacteria are growing in damp, dirty spots inside it. The most common places are the rubber door seal, the detergent drawer, the drain filter, and the hidden parts of the drum. Leftover detergent and fabric softener give these germs food, and a closed door keeps them warm and wet.

A rotten egg smell is different. It usually comes from the drain, where sewer gas or dirty water is the cause.

The good news is that you can clean your washer and get rid of the smell in about an hour. This guide shows you how, step by step, and how to keep the smell from coming back.

What causes a smelly washing machine?

Washing machines are always a little damp inside. That makes them a good home for mold and bacteria, especially if there is leftover soap, lint, and dirt for them to eat.

The smell is usually worse in front-load washers, because the door has a tight rubber seal that holds water. Top-load washers can smell too, especially under the rim and around the agitator.

8 reasons your washing machine smells

1. The door stays closed after washing

Closing the door right after a wash traps moisture inside. Mold and mildew grow fast in the dark, damp drum.

Fix: Leave the door or lid open after each wash so the inside can dry. If you have small children or pets, keep the laundry room door closed instead.

2. The rubber door seal is dirty (front-loaders)

The folds of the rubber seal around the door catch water, hair, lint, and small items. Black spots and slime often grow here.

Fix: See the cleaning steps below. Wipe the seal dry after the last wash of the day.

3. You use too much detergent

Extra detergent does not rinse away completely. It builds up inside the machine and gives bacteria something to eat.

Fix:

• Use the amount the detergent label says for your load size, or even a little less.
• If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washer, use HE detergent only. Regular detergent makes too many suds for HE machines.

4. Fabric softener builds up

Liquid fabric softener can leave a waxy coating in the drum and dispenser. Mold grows on it easily.

Fix: Use less fabric softener, or try wool dryer balls instead. Clean the softener dispenser often.

5. You always wash in cold water

Cold washes save energy and are gentle on clothes. But they do not melt away grease and detergent buildup, and they do not kill as many germs.

Fix: Keep using cold water for most loads, but run a hot cycle now and then, such as for towels or sheets if their care labels allow. Run a monthly cleaning cycle on the hottest setting.

6. Wet clothes sit in the washer

Leaving wet laundry in the washer for hours, or overnight, lets mildew grow on the clothes and in the drum.

Fix: Move clothes to the dryer or a drying rack right after the cycle ends. If you forget, wash them again before drying.

7. The drain pump filter is clogged (front-loaders)

Most front-load washers have a drain pump filter behind a small door at the bottom front. It catches coins, hair, lint, and gunk. Dirty water sits there and can smell very bad.

Fix: See the cleaning steps below. Clean it every few months.

8. The drain is letting in sewer gas

If the smell is like rotten eggs or a sewer, the problem may be the drain your washer empties into, not the washer.

• The washer drains into a tall pipe called a standpipe. It should have a curved drain trap below it that holds water and blocks sewer gas.
• If the trap is dry, clogged, or missing, sewer gas can come up behind the washer.
• The drain hose may also be pushed too far down into the standpipe.

Fix: Run a rinse cycle to refill the trap with water. Make sure the drain hose goes only about 6 to 8 inches into the standpipe (check your manual). If the smell continues, call a plumber. Our guide on finding the source of a sewage smell explains dry traps and vents.

If only your hot water smells like rotten eggs at every faucet, the water heater may be the cause instead. See why water can smell like rotten eggs.

How to clean a smelly washing machine step by step

Set aside about an hour. You will need rubber gloves, a few old towels or rags, a small bowl, an old toothbrush, dish soap, and a washer cleaner (tablets or powder), or the cleaner your manual recommends.

Step 1: Clean the rubber door seal (front-loaders)

1. Pull back the folds of the rubber seal.
2. Remove any hair, lint, socks, or coins.
3. Wipe the seal with warm water and a little dish soap, using a cloth or old toothbrush.
4. For black mold spots, you can use a diluted bleach cleaner if your manual allows it. Follow the directions on the product.
5. Dry the seal fully with a towel.

Step 2: Clean the detergent drawer

1. Pull out the drawer. Most drawers have a small tab you press to remove them completely.
2. Soak it in warm, soapy water for about 15 minutes.
3. Scrub off slime and buildup with an old toothbrush.
4. Wipe out the space where the drawer goes. Mold often hides at the top of this opening.
5. Dry the drawer and put it back.

Step 3: Clean the drain pump filter (front-loaders)

1. Turn off the washer and unplug it.
2. Put towels and a shallow bowl on the floor. Water will come out.
3. Open the small door at the bottom front of the washer.
4. Some models have a small drain hose. Pull it out and drain the water into the bowl first.
5. Slowly unscrew the filter (usually counterclockwise).
6. Remove gunk and objects, rinse the filter, and screw it back in tightly.
7. Close the door and plug the washer back in.

Check your manual for your model's steps.

Step 4: Run a cleaning cycle

1. Make sure the drum is empty.
2. Add a washer cleaner tablet or the cleaner your manual recommends.
3. Run the Clean Washer or Tub Clean cycle. If your washer does not have one, choose the hottest and longest cycle.
4. After the cycle, wipe the drum and seal dry and leave the door open.

Step 5: Clean a top-load washer

Top-loaders do not have a door seal, but grime hides under the rim and around the agitator.

1. Wipe under the rim of the tub and inside the lid with warm, soapy water.
2. Clean the fabric softener and bleach dispensers.
3. Run the Clean cycle or the hottest cycle with a washer cleaner.
4. Leave the lid open to dry.

What if my clothes smell after washing?

If your clothes come out smelling musty or sour:

• Clean the washer using the steps above.
• Do not overload the washer. Clothes need room to move so water can rinse them.
• Use less detergent. Too much can trap smells in fabric.
• Dry clothes right away. Do not leave them in the washer.
• Wash towels and workout clothes in warm or hot water if the care label allows.
• Make sure clothes dry fully. Damp clothes stored in a closet can start to smell. If your laundry room itself smells damp, see our guide on drying out a damp, musty room.

How to keep your washing machine smelling fresh

• Leave the door or lid open after every wash.
• Wipe the door seal dry after the last load of the day.
• Take out wet clothes right away.
• Use the right amount of HE detergent.
• Use less fabric softener.
• Run a cleaning cycle once a month.
• Clean the detergent drawer every few weeks.
• Clean the drain pump filter every few months.
• Keep the laundry room dry and well aired.

Front-load vs. top-load: which smells more?

Front-load washers smell more often. They use less water, and the door seals tightly, so moisture stays inside. The rubber seal and drain filter are the main problem spots.

Top-load washers have a lid that does not seal as tightly, so they dry out more easily. But grime can build up under the rim, in the dispensers, and around the agitator.

Either way, keeping the machine dry between washes is the most important habit.

Quick reference table

Does the laundry room matter?

Yes. A damp, closed-up laundry room makes the washer stay wet longer. Run an exhaust fan or open a window while you do laundry, and make sure your dryer vents to the outside. Keep the area around the washer clean and dry, and wipe up any spills or drips right away.

When to call a technician or plumber

Call a professional if:

• The smell comes back soon after a full cleaning
• Water will not drain or leaks onto the floor
• You smell burning or see smoke
• You think the drain pipe or trap is the problem
• There is mold you cannot reach inside the machine

The bottom line

A smelly washing machine is usually caused by mold and bacteria in damp spots, fed by leftover detergent and softener. Clean the door seal, detergent drawer, and drain filter, then run a hot cleaning cycle. After each wash, leave the door open and take out wet clothes right away. If the smell is like rotten eggs or sewer gas, check the drain. With a little care each month, your washer and your laundry will stay fresh.