How to get rid of washing machine odors
Your washing machine is supposed to clean and deodorize dirty clothes but yet it can smell worse that dirty laundry. That smell is not one that you want lingering in your laundry room or in your basement. Masking it with aerosol sprays will only camouflage it for just so long and if you are sensitive to smells and odors, this can make your condition worse.
Anyone who owns a washing machine and has that horrid smell of mildew (or other terrible smell) understands just how unpleasant it can be. Purchasing a new washing machine will not guarantee it will be any better – that machine can also end up with that offending odor. You need to get rid of the smell and there are ways to prevent it.
The problem stems from poor drainage. As you know, standing water in a small closed area over a period of time will leave an unpleasant musty odor. It can also lead to mold and mildew problems which compounds the problem even more. In most cases, simply by draining the water and drying the area can prevent it.
Washing machines do not properly drain the water during the spin cycle and they leave excess water standing in the bottom of the washing machine tub.
What causes poor drainage?
Overloading the washing machine will prevent it from operating efficiently. The excess weight from the overload puts a strain on the machine – especially during the spin cycle – preventing the machine from spinning at the speed it should. If the washer cannot reach its optimal speed during the spin cycle, water is not completely drained from the drum of the machine and the water sits in the bottom of the washing machine. This can easily be remedied – just don’t stuff the laundry in the machine – make smaller loads. This will also clean and rinse your laundry better by allowing the machine to do its job effectively.
When clothes aren’t distributed evenly in the washer, the washer cannot reach its optimal spin speed and the excess water sits in the bottom of the washer. Always “shake” the items you are going to wash and place each item in the wash individually instead of grabbing a pile of dirty laundry and stuffing it in the machine. By placing each item in separately, your load will be evenly distributed in the drum. You may also want to stop your washer after the wash cycle water has drained out and before the rinse water begins. That will make sure your load is evenly distributed for rinsing and spinning the water out. It will also ensure your laundry being rinsed thoroughly.
Front loaders have tight seals on them to prevent water from leaking. After the wash cycle is complete, if you shut the door of the front loader, you are trapping the moisture inside. The residual moisture can cause the residual water to smell – especially if the machine is not used frequently.
A little preventative maintenance will prevent this odor problem.
- Just reduce the size of the loads of dirty laundry to allow the washer to work at its peak performance.
- Be sure to distribute the laundry evenly in the machine as well.
- Leave the door open on front loaders when not in use.
- Run an empty washer on the HOT cycle with a cup of white vinegar in it. That should remove the odors. If the odor problem is severe, try using a dishwashing product called Glisten.
- If purchasing a new washing machine, remember that the front loading washers are the ones that trap the moisture in the bottom and that the water doesn’t completely empty after the wash cycle is finished. You may want to stick with the top loading washing machines.
NOTE: If you are the type that leaves your washed laundry in the washer from time to time (overnight or before leaving for work – for instance) without removing it to either hang dry or place in the dryer – mold and mildew will begin to grow on your clothing!
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