A washing machine does not clean itself. Most bad smells come from three things: wet clothes left in the drum, cool washes that do not remove bacteria, and limescale from hard water. A simple routine covering the drum, door seal and detergent drawer helps to clear the bacteria and keep your laundry smelling fresh.
Why a washing machine starts to smell
Cooler washes are not as effective at removing bacteria, which can then build up inside the drum and the internal pipework. When bacteria multiplies in a damp environment, it creates a damp or musty smell that transfers directly to your clothes.
Leaving wet clothes sitting in the drum adds significantly to the problem. You should aim to remove washed items from the machine within a couple of hours at most. If wet fabric sits in a closed drum, it creates the perfect conditions for mould and bacteria to thrive.
Hard water is the third common cause of a smelly washing machine. In hard water areas, limescale can form inside the machine and block the internal pipes. A descaler used regularly helps to prevent this.
How often to clean your machine
A basic maintenance routine will clear existing smells and stop them from returning. Which? advises running a hot, empty wash ideally once a month. It makes sense to take out and wash the detergent drawer at the same time.
If you regularly wash heavily soiled items, you might need to wipe down the rubber door seal more frequently. It is good practice to wipe the seal after smelly loads rather than waiting for your regular monthly clean.
If you hire a professional for domestic tasks, remember that a regular cleaner will not usually clean inside appliances unless you agree it beforehand. You can read more about what to include in your regular visits in our house cleaning schedule and checklist.
Here are the three main tasks you need to do:
- Run a hot, empty wash at 60 degrees C or higher, ideally once a month.
- Wipe the door seal with warm water and washing-up liquid after smelly loads.
- Take the detergent drawer apart, rinse it and scrub it with a soft brush.
- Leave the door ajar and the drawer partly open to dry.
Run a hot service wash
The easiest way to clear bacteria from the drum and the internal pipework is to run a hot, empty wash. You should set the machine to a temperature of 60 degrees C or higher. Doing this ideally once a month helps to clear built-up soap scum and the bacteria that cause damp smells.
Many modern washing machines have a dedicated drum-cleaning programme built in. You should check your instruction manual to see if your machine has this feature. If it does, follow the manufacturer directions for running the drum-clean programme instead of a standard hot wash.
If you live in a hard water area, you will need to tackle the limescale as well as the bacteria. You should use a descaler regularly to stop limescale from blocking the internal pipes. Check your machine manual to see how often you should descale your specific model.
Clean the washing machine door seal
Water pools in the folds of the rubber door seal at the end of every wash cycle. If you leave this water to sit, mould and bacteria will build up in the rubber and create a strong, musty smell.
You should wipe the seal thoroughly using a microfibre cloth dipped in warm water and a little washing-up liquid. Make sure you pull back the folds of the rubber gently to clean the hidden areas. This is where hair, lint and leftover soap scum gather and rot.
For stubborn patches of dirt or mould, you can use an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber. You must brush gently so that the seal is not pulled away from the metal drum casing.
Sometimes, black mould has soaked deeply into the rubber and cannot be scrubbed away. If the mould has permanently stained the rubber and the smell remains, a new seal may be needed. You will need to hire a professional appliance repairer to fit a replacement.
Wash the detergent drawer
The detergent drawer is another common place for mould to grow and cause bad smells. Leftover fabric softener and washing powder form a sticky residue in the plastic compartments. This residue creates a damp environment where bacteria multiplies quickly.
You should remove the drawer completely from the machine and take it apart. Rinse all the plastic pieces under warm water to melt away the built-up soap. Scrub the compartments with a soft brush to remove any black mould or stubborn residue.
You must dry every part of the drawer thoroughly before putting the pieces back together. You should also take a damp microfibre cloth and wipe around the housing inside the machine where the drawer sits, as mould often grows on the ceiling of this compartment.
Machines also have a filter, but where it is and how to open it varies, so follow your instruction manual and do not try to remove any other panels or parts.
Leave the door and drawer open to dry
Bacteria needs moisture to survive and multiply inside your appliance. Once your cleaning routine is finished, you should let the internal parts of the machine dry completely. A dry machine is much less likely to grow mould or develop a damp smell.
You should leave the washing machine door ajar so air can circulate inside the drum. This simple step helps the drum dry faster and stops moisture from becoming trapped. You should also leave the detergent drawer partly open, or take a few seconds to wipe it dry with a cloth.
Making this a habit after every load of laundry is one of the most effective ways to stop bad smells from returning. You should also remember to take your washing out within a couple of hours at most, so wet fabric does not sit inside the closed drum.
What to avoid putting in the drum
It is tempting to use strong chemicals when tackling a bad smell, but you must be careful about what you put into your machine. You should never use undiluted household bleach to clean the drum or the rubber door seal.
Undiluted household bleach can damage internal parts such as the door seal. It may also stain clothes and may void your warranty.
You should always follow your instruction manual when choosing what products to put in the drum. Avoid following internet trends that suggest using alternative household ingredients, and never mix different cleaning products together.
When the smell does not go away
If you have cleaned the seal, drawer and drum but the appliance still smells, the problem might be in your household plumbing. A partly blocked standpipe can cause a strong eggy smell to back up into the machine.
You can treat a partly blocked standpipe with a standard drain unblocker. Follow the instructions on the bottle and pour it carefully down the standpipe. If the problem is serious and the water is not draining away, you will need to call a professional plumber.
You must never open up the casing of the washing machine yourself to look for a blockage. Always call a qualified repairer or a plumber for blocked pipework, leaks, or anything involving the electrics.
Do you need a washing machine cleaner product
You do not need extra products to clean a washing machine effectively. The steps above are the main routine.
However, dedicated washing machine cleaners are an option if you prefer to use them. If you choose one, follow the manual and the packaging.
If you decide to use a dedicated cleaner, check that it is suitable for your exact model of machine. You should run the cleaning cycle exactly as the packaging instructs, and follow up by leaving the door ajar to let the drum dry.
Keeping the machine fresh between cleans
Most of the work is in the habits around the machine rather than the cleaning itself. Take washing out within a couple of hours at most, so wet fabric does not sit in a closed drum. Leave the door ajar and the drawer partly open after a wash so air can circulate. Wipe the door seal after smelly loads, because that is where mould and bacteria can build up in the rubber.
Hard water needs a little more attention. In a hard water area, limescale can block the pipes, so use a descaler regularly and check your manual for guidance on your model. Cooler washes are not as effective at removing bacteria, so keep the hot, empty wash at 60 degrees C or higher in your routine, ideally once a month, using the drum-clean programme if your manual lists one.
If a smell keeps coming back after all of this, work back through the steps above in order before you spend money on anything new. A partly blocked standpipe is the other thing to check, and a repairer or a plumber can help with blocked pipework or leaks.
Common questions
How do I stop my washed clothes smelling musty?
Musty clothes are often the result of leaving wet laundry sitting in the drum for too long. You should aim to remove washed items within a couple of hours at most. Leaving the door ajar between washes will also help the drum dry faster, stopping musty smells from transferring to your clothes.
What is a drum cleaning programme?
Many modern washing machines have a dedicated drum-cleaning programme built in to help maintain the appliance. You should check your instruction manual to see if your model includes this feature. Running it ideally once a month will help clear out hidden bacteria and soap scum.
Does hard water affect my washing machine?
Yes, hard water causes limescale to build up inside the internal pipework of the machine. This limescale can block the pipes. If you live in a hard water area, you should use a descaler regularly to keep the pipes clear.
Why does my washing machine smell like rotten eggs?
A partly blocked standpipe can cause an eggy smell. You can try pouring a standard drain unblocker down the standpipe to clear the blockage. If the blockage is serious, you should call a professional plumber for help.
Next steps
Use this short checklist to maintain your machine and keep your laundry smelling fresh:
- Check your instruction manual for a dedicated drum-cleaning cycle.
- Run an empty wash at 60 degrees C or higher ideally once a month.
- Wipe the door seal with warm water and washing-up liquid.
- Wash the detergent drawer and scrub it with a soft brush.
- Leave the door ajar and the drawer partly open to dry after every wash.
- Call a professional plumber if a blocked standpipe causes an eggy smell.
Following a regular cleaning routine will protect your washing machine and ensure your laundry comes out clean. If you need help keeping on top of your household chores, you can find a house cleaner near you to manage the regular domestic cleaning.
