Many people complain about the constant unpleasant smell coming out of the washing machine, which in most cases is caused by humidity. In addition to being annoying, it keeps family members in a state of distress and discomfort and may cause them embarrassment if they receive guests. Many may think that buying an expensive, international-brand washing machine will clean itself without the need for human intervention, but that does not happen. The reason for the bad smell of the washing machine may be that it is not cleaned well, so we decided to dedicate this article to talking about ways to get rid of the bad smell of the washing machine, and the most important reasons that result from this smell so that you can get rid of it permanently in the easiest and least expensive ways.
WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE BAD SMELL OF THE WASHING MACHINE?
Have you ever felt an unpleasant smell coming from your washing machine spreading throughout the house?
No home can be without a washing machine. It has become an integral part of the necessary electrical appliances in it, but you may be surprised by the appearance of an unpleasant odor emanating from it without warning, so we present to you the causes of the unpleasant smell of the washing machine so that you are aware of them:
FILTER CLOGGED
The reason your washing machine smells bad maybe because it is not draining well due to a clogged filter. So be sure to clean the filter by disassembling it and using hot water and the appropriate detergent, as cleaning the filter helps get rid of the musty smell in the washing machine, especially from the lint and tissues accumulated in it, which may trap quantities of washing powder and dirt. It is worth noting that filters differ from one washing machine to another, so you must read the user manual to know the correct way to clean it.
DIRT BUILDUP IN THE DETERGENT DRAWER
There is no doubt that the reason for the unpleasant smell of clothes after washing is the presence of dirt and detergents accumulated in the detergent drawer. To get rid of this unpleasant odor, the accumulated dirt and detergents must be removed by using a damp cloth and hot water, while being careful to use an old toothbrush to clean the corners that are difficult to reach. to her.
ACCUMULATION OF DIRT ON THE RUBBER SKIN
The reason why an unpleasant odor is emitted from the washing machine is the accumulation of dirt, mold, and detergent residue around the rubber skin inside the washing drum. To get rid of this smell, clean these areas with hot water and appropriate detergent, focusing on the rubber skin and its surroundings, then begin wiping the cleaner using a dry cloth. And clean, making sure to run the automatic washing machine empty to rinse the drum of detergent residue before using it to wash clothes.
USE LARGE AMOUNTS OF DETERGENT
One of the things that play a major role in the appearance of a bad odor in the washing machine is the use of excessive amounts of cleaning products, laundry detergent, or softener, which leads to them mixing with the clothing fibers and being trapped in the drain pipes and in the washing machine itself, thus emitting a musty odor from the washing machine. Due to the growth of bacteria and mold in it.
WAYS TO GET RID OF THE BAD SMELL OF THE WASHING MACHINE
Cleaning the outer rubber tire of the washing machine may play a major role in getting rid of its smell
Do you suffer from a bad smell in the laundry room and are looking for a solution to the problem of the bad smell of the washing machine in easy and quick ways? We have collected for you in the following lines practical methods at low costs. Check them out:
CLEANING A FRONT-LOAD WASHING MACHINE
You can clean your front-loading washing machine by following these steps:
- Remove the outer rubber frame of the washing machine and clean it inside and out using a piece of cloth dipped in hot soapy water or a chemical cleaning agent.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub the corners of the washing machine frame, as a lot of dirt may collect in the folds of the rubber band
- Dismantle the soap drawer located at the top of the washing machine to clean it of soap and water residue accumulated in it, taking care to clean the inner corners of the drawer using a spray bottle or pipe cleaner.
- Run a cleaning cycle for the washing machine, and put a cup of bleach, a cup of baking soda, or even half a cup of dishwasher detergent in the sink, making sure to choose the highest temperature to heat the water, and if the smell is present, repeat the process.
CLEANING TOP LOAD WASHING MACHINES
Over time, washing powders and stagnant water may accumulate in top-loading washing machines, causing an unpleasant odor. You can get rid of the odors emanating from them by following these steps:
- Run the washing machine at the highest possible water temperature, making sure to leave the lid up until the washing machine is filled.
- Add a cup of bleach to the hot water, making sure to close the washing machine lid, and leave it for at least an hour
- Restart the washing machine until it starts spinning again, and complete all wash cycles to remove any remaining bleach in the machine.
CLEANING AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES
The cause of the unpleasant smell of the automatic washing machine may be the accumulation of dirt stuck on the clothes and stains on them, and they can be eliminated by doing the following:
- Run a wash cycle at the highest temperature to clean the washing machine tub and get rid of the mold that causes the odor
- Add a cup of vinegar to the washing machine tub; Because of its effectiveness in getting rid of bad odor naturally
- Run the rinse cycle on high heat until you get rid of any remaining washing powder and vinegar
- Clean the rubber door frame and the wash basin using a clean cloth dipped in soapy water, or use a special solution to get rid of mold, then dry them with a dry cloth
- Run the rinse cycle to clean the sink, then leave the door open until it dries
- Clean the washing powder drawer with hot water and a piece of cloth, making sure to use a toothbrush to reach difficult places in it
CLEANING AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES
The cause of the unpleasant smell of the automatic washing machine may be the accumulation of dirt stuck on the clothes and stains on them, and they can be eliminated by doing the following:
- Run a wash cycle at the highest temperature to clean the washing machine tub and get rid of the mold that causes the odor
- Add a cup of vinegar to the washing machine tub; Because of its effectiveness in getting rid of bad odor naturally
- Run the rinse cycle on high heat until you get rid of any remaining washing powder and vinegar
- Clean the rubber door frame and the wash basin using a clean cloth dipped in soapy water, or use a special solution to get rid of mold, then dry them with a dry cloth
- Run the rinse cycle to clean the sink, then leave the door open until it dries
- Clean the washing powder drawer with hot water and a piece of cloth, making sure to use a toothbrush to reach difficult places in it
TIPS TO PREVENT THE SMELL OF AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE
It is worth noting that some simple tips will keep the washing machine smelling fresh for as long as possible. Here are the most notable ones:
- Leave the washing machine door partially open to allow it to dry between cycles, and make sure there are no small children or pets around the washing machine; For fear of them climbing on the washing machine door or entering it
- Remove wet clothes from inside the washing machine immediately after the wash cycle ends
- Use powders instead of liquid powders, to reduce foaming, as low-foaming powders are suitable for high-efficiency washing machines.
- Use a small amount of washing powder to suit the load of laundry, sometimes it may not exceed a spoon, and be sure to take advantage of the information written on the powder label.
- Avoid using fabric softener, as it can leave traces that cause mold in front-loading washing machines. It is also recommended to use dryer sheets or dryer balls instead.
- Wipe the sides of the washing machine door with a special towel. It is recommended to do this after each wash cycle, or at least periodically, to get rid of any water or mold residue between the parts or folds.
- Clean the washing machine periodically, especially if the clothes are very dirty
In conclusion, our article provides a comprehensive guide on why washing machines develop unpleasant odors and offers effective solutions to eliminate them. Additionally, we present a set of procedures to ensure long-lasting freshness. If you encounter any malfunctions with your washing machine, we recommend referring to our guide on common automatic washing machine issues and their corresponding solutions. By doing so, you can resolve these problems without the need to rely on professional appliance repair services.
