How To Get Rid Of Smell In Washing Machine
How to clean a smelly washing machine
When your washing machine starts to smell, it can be a cause for concern and lead you into a panic about how to get rid of the smell in your washing machine. However, do not fear! As one of the leading independent domestic appliance retailers in the Wirral area, we have come across our fair share of different smelly washing machine issues and can help you fix the issue.
Stinky washing machines are actually a lot more common than many people may think and typically occur from a build-up of bacteria, detergent, dirt, grime and mildew. This happens as you throw in your dirty clothes and laundry. The body oil, dirt and hair all get trapped in the gasket seal and detergent dispenser. As the years go on this can build up and lead to a bad smell emitting from your washing machine when you open the door before and after washing cycles.
Throughout this article, we will help you learn how to clean your smelly washing machine so that you can get rid of the bad smells. No one wants an appliance that is meant to clean your clothes to smell worse than the things it cleans! For this reason, we have created this cleaning guide which will help you to remove the bad odors coming from your washing machine whether it be a front load or top load washing machine.
If your washing machine is older than 12 years old it may have outgrown its lifespan and be beyond repair. If you live in the Wirral area and want to learn more about our range of affordable and efficient washing machines, speak to a member of the team on 0151 630 2593.
How to clean the different types of washing machines to stop them smelling
Whether you own a top-loading washing machine or a front-loading washing machine, there are slightly different cleaning procedures depending on what type of washing machine you own to stop it from smelling bad.
Before cleaning, ensure you know what type of washing machine you own whether that be a front load or top load machine. An easy way to make sure you know which model you own is by looking if the lid or door is on the top of the machine or on the front of the machine as per the names. If you are still unsure you can check the user manual to identify what type of washing machine you own.
How to clean a top-load washing machine that smells
To get your top-load washing machine smelling fresh and back to normal, please follow the steps below on how to clean a top-load washing machine.
Tools:
Baking soda
White vinegar
Small bowl for mixing
Damp rag or sponge
Steps:
Empty the Washer:
Before beginning the cleaning process, ensure your top-load washing machine is empty. Remove any clothes left inside.
Prepare Baking Soda Solution:
In the small bowl, create a mixture by combining ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. Stir until a paste-like consistency is achieved.
Apply Baking Soda Solution:
Open the detergent dispenser on your top-load washing machine and apply the baking soda solution. This ensures even distribution during the wash cycle.
Add White Vinegar:
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum of the top-load washing machine. The combination of baking soda and vinegar will effectively break down residue and eliminate odours.
Run a Complete Cycle:
Set your top-load washing machine to its highest heat setting. Start a full wash cycle as you normally would but without adding any clothes. Allow the cleaning solution to work on the interior of the machine.
Optional Soaking (Intense Clean):
For a more thorough cleaning, pause the washing machine after it fills with water. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture soak for about 30 minutes before resuming the wash cycle until completion.
Wipe Down the Drum:
Once the cycle is finished, open the lid and use the damp rag or sponge to wipe down the drum of your top-load washing machine. This step removes any remaining vinegar smell and ensures a clean and fresh interior.
Air Out:
To complete the cleaning process, leave the lid of your top-load washing machine open for a while to allow it to air out. This helps prevent the development of lingering odours.
Repeat as Needed:
If your top load washing machine hasn't been cleaned recently or if persistent odours persist, repeat this process regularly to maintain a clean and fresh-smelling machine.
How to clean a front-load washing machine that smells
In order to clean your front load washing machine and stop it from smelling, please follow the steps below on how to clean a front load washing machine.
Tools:
Baking soda
White vinegar
Small bowl for mixing
Damp rag or sponge
Empty the Washer:
Ensure your front-load washing machine is empty. If there are any clothes left inside, remove them.
Prepare Baking Soda Solution:
In a small bowl, mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water. Stir the mixture until it forms a paste-like consistency.
Apply Baking Soda Solution:
Open the detergent dispenser of your front-load washing machine and pour the baking soda solution into it. This ensures the even distribution of the cleaning mixture.
Add White Vinegar:
Pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum of the front load washing machine. The combination of baking soda and vinegar will effectively break down residue and eliminate odours.
Run a Complete Cycle:
Set your front-load washing machine to its highest heat setting. Start a full wash cycle as you normally would, but without adding any clothes. Allow the cleaning solution to work on the interior of the machine.
Optional Soaking (Intense Clean):
For a more intense clean, pause the washing machine after it fills with water. Let the baking soda and vinegar mixture soak for about 30 minutes before resuming the wash cycle until completion.
Wipe Down the Drum:
Once the cycle is complete, open the front load washing machine door and wipe down the drum with a damp rag or sponge. This step removes any remaining vinegar smell and ensures a clean and fresh interior.
Air Out:
To complete the cleaning process, leave the door of your front-load washing machine open for a while to allow it to air out. This helps prevent the development of lingering odours.
Repeat as Needed:
If your front load washing machine hasn't been cleaned recently or if persistent odours persist, repeat this process regularly to maintain a clean and fresh-smelling machine.
Top tips to remove smells from your washing machine
On top of these measures to clean a smelly front load and top load washing machine, you can partake in these regular washing machine maintenance tips that will ensure you keep those bad smells from ever coming back again!
Some of the top smelly washing machine maintenance tips include:
Make sure to clean the inside and outside of your washing machine
Although it may seem like a no-brainer, ensuring that you clean not only the inside of your washing machine but also the outside of your washing machine on a regular basis will eliminate the chances for dirt and grime to build up in any part of the machine. To do this, simply clean the washing machine inside as per the stated steps in the guides above depending on if you own a top-load or front-load washing machine. After this ensure you remove the parts such as the detergent drawer, soak them in bicarbonate soda and then scrub any remaining dirt from them. This will ensure all parts of your washing machine are clean and there are no parts where smells can still infiltrate the appliance.
Clean the washing machine door seal
Another area which can sometimes be forgotten about is the washing machine door seal. If your washing machine smells, the door seal is often a big culprit. This is due to the fact that it can trap the dirt and grime inside. Mixed with the warm and moist atmosphere of the washing machine this can help promote bacteria growth and lead to more bad smells. In order to avoid this, make sure you regularly clean the seals after every wash to help avoid the growth of bacteria and stop the smells from appearing.
Conduct a monthly service wash
A service wash is an often neglected feature and a necessary maintenance procedure. It is a procedure where you run your washing machine without clothes in at a higher temperature. Typically you will run a washing machine cycle at 40 degrees to reduce energy costs however with a monthly service wash you ramp up the temperature with no clothes in to run a cycle to help wash out your appliance and ensure it maintains its cleanliness. This procedure will help reduce the chance of your washing machine smelling.
Conclusion
There you have it! No more smelly washing machines ever again! If you follow these steps and regular maintenance tips not only can you ensure that your washing machine doesn't start to smell but you can also prolong the lifespan of your washing machine and get it to be more efficient for longer. Ultimately these maintenance tips alongside the smell removal procedures will allow your washing machine to not only smell great but also cost you less on your energy bills by ensuring it is well looked after and as energy efficient as possible.
That being said, some washing machines are beyond repair and although you may have attempted to get rid of the bad smell, if your washing machine is over 12 years old it is more likely that it will need to be replaced to fully remove the smell.
Fortunately, if you live in the Wirral area, here at Powerpoint Wallasey, we stock a wide selection of the leading washing machine brands such as Bosch, Candy, Hotpoint, Hoover, Siemens and many more. Therefore, if you are looking for an affordable washing machine with fast delivery across the Wirral area, speak with a member of the team on 0151 630 2593 or visit our showroom in Wallasey to speak with us in person.
