Why Your Washing Machine Smells (and the Fix)
A musty or sour smell from the washing machine, especially a front-loader, comes from mold and detergent residue building up in the drum, the door gasket, and the detergent drawer, where moisture gets trapped. Clean those, run a hot cycle, and leave the door open, and it clears.
We make small-batch beeswax candles in Far Rockaway, so a room that truly smells clean is our whole focus, and that always starts at the source rather than the scent. Below is where the smell comes from, how to clear it step by step, and how to keep the space fresh afterward, with the full the MBur beeswax candle collection here as you read.
Why the washer smells
Front-loaders seal tight and trap water in the rubber door gasket and crevices, and detergent and softener residue plus that moisture feed mold. The smell then transfers to your clothes.
Leaving the door closed keeps it damp inside, so the mold keeps growing. The same moisture control the EPA's household mold guide stresses is the real fix.
How to clean it, step by step
- Clean the door gasket. On a front-loader, peel back the rubber gasket and wipe out the trapped gunk, hair, and mold with a vinegar or diluted bleach solution.
- Clean the detergent drawer. Remove and wash the dispenser drawer, which grows mold and residue.
- Run a hot cleaning cycle. Run an empty hot cycle with a washer-cleaning tablet, or two cups of white vinegar followed by a cup of baking soda, to clear buildup in the drum and hoses.
- Wipe the drum and door. After the cycle, wipe down the drum, the glass, and the door.
- Leave the door open. Keep the door and detergent drawer open between washes so the machine dries out.
Leaving the door open is what keeps it from returning. A washer that dries out between loads does not grow the mold that causes the smell.
Keep it from coming back
Leave the door open between washes, and use the right amount of HE detergent, since excess feeds mold.
Run a cleaning cycle monthly, remove wet laundry promptly, and wipe the gasket dry.
Freshen the whole room once the source is gone
With a moldy washer handled, the air itself is the last step. A clean candle is the finishing touch here, best lit once the space is already clean. From there it is the fastest way to make the room read fresh rather than merely neutral.
For your laundry room, Out of Office fits well. It is light and tropical, with spearmint, pineapple, and coconut, and like every MBur candle it is poured from 100% beeswax with a wooden wick and phthalate-free non-toxic fragrance oils, so freshening the air never means adding soot on top.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my front-load washer smell?
Mold and detergent residue build up in the door gasket, drawer, and drum, where moisture is trapped. Clean those, run a hot cycle, and leave the door open.
How do I clean a washing machine?
Wipe the gasket and drawer, then run an empty hot cycle with a washer cleaner or vinegar and baking soda. Wipe the drum and door afterward.
How do I stop the washer from smelling?
Leave the door open between loads, use the correct amount of HE detergent, remove wet laundry promptly, and run a monthly cleaning cycle.
Am I using too much detergent?
Possibly. Excess detergent leaves residue that feeds mold. Use the amount marked for HE machines, and less with soft water.
Ready to keep your space smelling clean once the source is handled? Explore the MBur beeswax candle collection and find the scent that fits the room.
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