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Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? (And How to Fix It for Good)
You've just washed it. You open the door. And the "clean" washing smells like a damp cupboard. It's one of the most searched household problems in the UK: "washing machine smells" alone gets about 6,600 searches a month. The good news is that it's almost never the washing powder's fault, and it's fixable in an afternoon.
What does each washing machine smell mean?
| Smell | Usual cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Musty, damp, mouldy | Mould and bacteria in the door seal, drawer, drum or filter | Clean those four spots, hot empty wash, door open between loads |
| Sour, like gone-off laundry | Old detergent or softener residue breaking down | Clean the drawer, use less detergent, hot empty wash |
| Rotten eggs or sewage | Usually the drain, not the machine | Check the drain hose and standpipe; call a plumber if it persists |
| Burning | Possible electrical or motor fault | Stop, unplug, call an engineer |
Why does a washing machine start to smell?
A washing machine is warm, dark and damp, and some water always stays behind: in the folds of the door seal, in the drawer, in the sump and the filter. Add a film of detergent and fabric softener, and you've built a home for mould and bacteria. Three habits make it worse:
- Washing mostly at 30°C. Good for energy bills, but it never gets hot enough to clear the build-up.
- Too much detergent or softener. What doesn't rinse away coats the machine.
- Closing the door straight after a wash. The drum never dries out.
Why do washing machines smell worse in homes with pets?
Dog beds, blankets and throws carry hair, skin oils and whatever came in from the walk. The hair collects in exactly the places smells start: the door seal and the drain pump filter. A filter packed with fur drains slowly, leaves more water sitting in the machine, and the smell comes back faster. If you wash pet bedding, give the filter a look every month. Our guide on getting pet hair out of a washing machine covers it in detail.
Do you need a washing machine cleaner?
Not necessarily. Consumer group Which? says a hot service wash should do the job, and most manufacturers recommend a regular maintenance wash anyway. A cleaner can help if the machine has been neglected or if you'd like the monthly wash to do a bit more. We compare the options in best washing machine cleaner: do you even need one?
And if the smell is in your house rather than the machine, start with how to get rid of dog smell in the house.
Sources: Beko, how to stop a washing machine from smelling · Hoover, getting rid of the smell in your washing machine · Which?, washing machine cleaners compared. Always follow your machine's manual.
How to get rid of a washing machine smell
- Clean the door seal. Pull back the folds of the rubber seal and wipe out the grime, hair and any black spots with a cloth and warm soapy water. Dry it.
- Clean the detergent drawer. Pull it right out (most have a release tab), soak it in hot water, scrub the slime from the drawer and the slot it sits in.
- Empty the drain pump filter. Towel and tray down, open the flap at the bottom front, unscrew the filter, clear the hair and fluff, rinse and refit.
- Run an empty hot wash. Use the hottest or drum-clean programme with a washing machine cleaner, or on its own if you'd rather not use one.
- Leave the door and drawer open. Let everything dry between washes. This one habit prevents most smells coming back.
- Repeat monthly. Run a hot maintenance wash once a month, more often if you wash pet bedding or mostly wash at 30°C.
Questions people ask
Why do my clothes smell after washing?
Usually because the machine itself smells, or because clothes sat damp in the drum. Fix the machine first, take washing out as soon as it finishes, and don't overload the drum.
Why does my washing machine smell of rotten eggs?
An eggy or sewage smell usually comes from the drain, not the machine: gases coming back up the waste pipe. Check the drain hose isn't pushed too far into the standpipe and that the pipe isn't blocked. If it persists, call a plumber.
Can I use vinegar to clean my washing machine?
Many people do, but some manufacturers advise against regular vinegar use because it can wear rubber seals. Check your manual. A hot empty wash on its own does a lot of the work.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Wipe the seal weekly, run a hot maintenance wash monthly, and empty the filter every month or two. More often if you wash pet bedding.
What if my washing machine smells of burning?
Stop using it and unplug it. A burning smell can mean an electrical or motor fault, so call a qualified engineer.
