How to Get the Smell Out of the Washing Machine: 6 Proven Methods

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It feels a little ironic, doesn’t it? The machine built to clean your clothes can sometimes be the very reason your laundry room smells bad. A smelly washing machine doesn’t just leave behind an unpleasant odor. It can also affect how fresh your clothes feel and even cause irritation if bacteria stick around.

The usual suspects include detergent buildup in the dispenser drawer, mold growth along the rubber gasket, and leftover moisture after a wash cycle. Scientists have also found that biofilm can form inside washing machines, trapping bacteria from both dirty clothes and the water supply. Once that slimy layer settles in, odors only get worse.

The best part is, your washer isn’t broken, it’s just begging for attention. Once you clean it the right way, those funky smells will be history.

What Causes Washing Machine Odors?

When your washing machine smells bad, the source usually isn’t a mystery; it’s hiding in places where moisture, detergent, and grime collect.

Both front-load washers and top-load machines can develop unpleasant odors, but front-loaders are especially prone because their rubber gasket traps extra moisture. Before you try to clean a smelly washer, it’s smart to check these common trouble spots.

• Residual moisture: After a wash cycle, small amounts of water often remain in the drum or behind seals. This leftover moisture is a perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew growth.
• Soap scum and fabric softener residue: Using too much detergent or fabric softener creates buildup in the detergent drawer, hoses, and drum. Over time, this sticky residue traps bacteria that cause foul odor.
• Dirty door seals: The rubber seal on front-load washers keeps leaks at bay but also collects lint and residual water. This hidden moisture encourages mold growth that leads to unpleasant odors.
• Clogged filter or drain: When lint, hair, or even small food particles gather in the filter or drain, water flow is restricted. Stagnant water in these areas quickly turns into a bad smell.
• Skipped cleanings: Ignoring regular cleaning of the drum, gasket, and dispenser drawer allows grease, detergent residue, and grime to build up until the smell persists.
• Drainage problems: If water doesn’t fully drain, it often points to plumbing issues or blockages inside the machine. That stagnant water becomes a source of unpleasant odors.

Inspecting these areas first can help you spot the problem before starting the cleaning process. Often, the odor is simply trapped in one of these hidden corners.

Items You’ll Need

Every great cleaning mission starts with the right gear. Imagine gearing up like a detective before solving the case of the smelly washing machine. The mystery gets cracked a lot faster when your tools are lined up and ready.

The best part is that most of these odor-fighting “sidekicks” are probably already hiding in your pantry or laundry shelf, waiting to save the day.

This is all you’ll need:

• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Lemon juice (optional)
• Borax or washing soda
• Microfiber cloths or old rags
• Spray bottle
• Soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
• Rubber gloves
• Commercial washing machine cleaner tablets (optional, like Affresh or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner)
• Screwdriver (if you need to access the filter or drain)
• A bucket or a towel for draining excess water

Once these items are gathered, you’ll be ready to launch into the cleaning process without a single pause.

6 Methods to Remove Washing Machine Smell

Method 1: Vinegar and Baking Soda Deep Clean

Your kitchen holds two secret weapons that double as odor-busters: white vinegar and baking soda. On their own, they’re effective cleaners, but together they make a powerhouse team that can refresh even the smelliest washing machine.

Steps to follow:

1. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar straight into the drum.
2. Select the hottest and longest wash cycle to let it work through the machine.
3. Once complete, add half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum.
4. Run another hot cycle to neutralize odors.
5. Finish by wiping the drum with a damp rag or microfiber cloth.

Vinegar cuts through soap scum and mold growth, while baking soda absorbs unpleasant odors and restores balance inside the washer.

Since both are gentle on rubber gaskets and metal parts, you can use this method monthly as a safe way to keep your washer smelling clean and your laundry room fresh.

Method 2: Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfection

If you’ve been wondering how to get smell out of washing machine parts that never seem to stay fresh, hydrogen peroxide is a game-changer. Unlike simple deodorizing, it doesn’t just mask foul odor. It targets the root cause by killing mold growth and bacteria.

Steps to follow:

1. Mix 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide with 1/2 cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray generously around the door gasket, detergent drawer, and inside the drum.
3. Let it sit for about 30 minutes so it can break down mold at the cellular level.
4. Run an empty hot water cycle to rinse away residue.

Hydrogen peroxide works by dismantling the proteins and DNA that mold and bacteria need to survive, leaving your washer sanitized and fresh.

Just make sure not to use it at the same time as vinegar, since combining them can create peracetic acid.

Method 3: Use of Commercial Washing Machine Cleaners

Walk down the laundry aisle of any store and you’ll see cleaners made just for your washer.

These tablets and liquids are built to do the dirty work inside the machine, breaking down detergent residue, killing odor-causing bacteria, and flushing out the gunk that regular cycles leave behind. When a smelly washing machine refuses to freshen up, this is often the simplest fix.

How to get it done:

1. Place a cleaning tablet or liquid solution directly into the drum or detergent drawer.
2. If your machine has a dispenser drawer, pull it out and wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth to clear away buildup.
3. Follow the manufacturer’s directions and run a hot cleaning cycle.
4. When the cycle finishes, keep the washer door or lid open to allow proper drying and airflow.

Brands like Affresh, OxiClean, and Tide Washing Machine Cleaner are popular choices for high-usage laundry rooms. Used every two to three months, they help eliminate odors, sanitize internal components, and keep both top-load and front-load washers running fresh.

Method 4: Borax and Vinegar Combo

There’s a reason some people swear by this pairing. Borax works like a deodorizer with antifungal power, while vinegar breaks down soap scum, limescale, and the bacteria hiding in your washer.

Used together, they cut through the kind of buildup that leaves behind a musty, foul odor.

How to use this combo:

1. Place half a cup of borax in the bottom of the washer drum.
2. Pour two cups of vinegar into the detergent drawer.
3. Run a hot wash cycle. If your machine allows, pause midway for an hour to give the mixture more time to soak in.

For front-load washers, reduce the borax to two tablespoons with the same amount of vinegar, adding both directly into the tub. This method is especially useful if you’re dealing with hard water deposits.

Method 5: Clean the Detergent Drawer and Rubber Seal

If you’ve ever noticed a foul odor creeping back right after a deep clean, chances are the real problem is hiding in plain sight.

The detergent drawer and rubber seal are two of the sneakiest places for mold growth, fabric softener residue, and soap scum to build up. Left untouched, they quietly reinfect the drum and make your washing machine smell bad all over again.

How to tackle it:

1. Pull out the detergent drawer completely and scrub it with dish soap and hot water.
2. Use an old toothbrush to reach the corners and the cavity where the drawer slides in.
3. For front-load washers, wipe the rubber gasket with a vinegar or hydrogen peroxide solution, paying close attention to folds where mildew growth hides.

Regularly cleaning these two areas prevents odor-causing bacteria from settling back into the drum, keeping every wash cycle truly fresh.

Method 6: Drain and Clean the Filter

Nothing ruins laundry day like realizing your washer smells worse than the clothes you put in. The hidden villain? The drain filter. It’s where lint, hair, and the occasional coin settle in, quietly brewing a foul odor until you finally give it attention.

Clearing it out not only removes the smell but also keeps water flowing properly through the machine.

How to clear it out:

1. Locate the drain filter, usually near the bottom front of your washer.
2. Place a towel or bucket underneath before loosening the cap.
3. Pull out the trapped gunk, rinse the filter under hot water, and scrub if needed.
4. Wipe down the area with a disinfectant or vinegar solution before closing it back up.

Since filter designs vary by model, always double-check your user manual before removing it. A quick clean here can prevent both odors and drainage issues.

Bonus: Natural Scent Refreshers

Once the odors are gone, a light, fresh scent can make your washer feel truly clean. A few natural options can do the job without overpowering your laundry with heavy fragrances.

Options to try:

• Lemon juice rinse: Add half a cup during a hot rinse cycle for a bright citrus scent.
• Essential oil cloth: Place a damp rag with a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil into the washer and run a short cycle.
• DIY freshener tablets (optional): Mix baking soda, water, and a few drops of essential oil, shape into small balls, and let them dry before tossing one into the drum.

Simple steps like these give your washer a subtle scent boost and make the laundry room feel fresher.

Tips to Keep Odors Away

Odors love lazy washers. If water lingers, detergent piles up, or the drum never gets to breathe, that fresh-laundry scent doesn’t stand a chance. The fix isn’t complicated; it’s all about a few habits that stop smells before they start.

Habits that make the difference:

• Leave the washer door open after each cycle to keep air moving.
• Take out wet laundry right away so it doesn’t stew inside.
• Dry the drum and gasket with a microfiber cloth after use.
• Give the washer a monthly clean with one of the methods above.
• Measure detergent properly to avoid soap scum buildup.
• Avoid cramming in oversized loads that trap water.
• Stop kids or pets from shutting the washer door between washes.
• Run a hot water cycle now and then with towels or bedding to sanitize.
• Use an exhaust fan or dehumidifier in the laundry room to speed drying.

With these steps, odors never get the chance to settle in. Your washer stays clean, and every cycle comes out fresh.

Let Modern Maids Help When the Smell Won’t Go

A washing machine that smells bad is a headache, but it isn’t permanent. With a little care, the odors disappear and the drum stays fresh. The challenge is sticking to the routine, and that’s where most people run out of patience.

Modern Maids can take that stress off your list. We don’t just make washing machines smell clean again. We give your whole home the kind of refresh that makes it feel brand new. From deep scrubs to regular upkeep, our team brings back the shine while you enjoy the time saved.

Book your cleaning today or call (469)-430-8860 to schedule your visit. Smelly washers and messy corners never stand a chance once we arrive.

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