Taking your clean, freshly washed clothing out of the washing machine you have picked up a noticeable funky odor that smells less than clean. This funky washing machine odors can be a huge sign of trouble inside your machine – and depending on the type of washing machine you have the different issues within this odorous machine will vary. Whether or not you have a front load or top load washing machine, they each will have their own fair share of problems that will lead to the development of odors within the machine – that will ultimately spread to the clean clothing washed in this home appliance. Before you go looking for a new washing machine to take the place of your now forsaken odorous machine, there is still hope that this appliance can be saved and absolved of all its stinky odors harbored within the tub and other nooks/crannies of the washer. As more and more people have experienced odor problems in their washing machines, there have come to light a vast amount of remedies and solutions that can help in your pursuit to clean and deodorize your smelly washing machine. In this article we are going to learn more about the most common types of odors that one may experience in their home’s washing machines and determine which odor eliminating solution works the best inside your machine to eradicate the smells completely!

My Washing Machine Stinks!

As of lately, every time you open your washing machine door the foul smell of mustiness hits your nose – and this odor is now spreading onto your clothing. The smells that emanate from your washing machine may only be but the start of other issues down the line, issues that will have a potentially serious impact on the functioning of your washing machine. Whether that be clogging the hose lines of the washing machine, the buildup of gunk in grime in the rubber gasket of a front load washer, or even the development of mold within the tub of your washing machine, the various issues can impact the entire machine and its ability to clean clothes effectively. When it comes to smells in your washing machine that are not fragrant, clean smelling odors then you will begin to have major problems. Nobody wants their washing machine to taint their clothing’s aroma with the pungent mix of mustiness and grime. Thus, when you finally come to the realization that your washing machine stinks you will need to get to the bottom of what the problem really is and how best you can remove it before it leaves a lasting impact on all your clothing fabrics.

Why is My Washing Machine Smelling?

Washing machines are a likely place for odors to accumulate due to its moist, humid environment that is susceptible to accumulating and developing odors from bacteria, mold, and body soil/scum. As you use your washing machine it will increase the chances for these odors to buildup in the washer, especially when soap scum and body oils gather in the washer and when this mixes with residual moisture and humidity in the machine it will further exacerbate these aromas and create the unwanted odors in the appliance. In a washing machine, the most likely places for the soap scum, dirt, body oil and hair to get stuck and trapped in will include the seals, gaskets, and dispensers. The concept of a washing machine is that it is an appliance that is designed to clean clothing, linens, and other fabrics with ease and convenience. Thus, that is why many people neglect to provide proper attention and cleaning inside these “cleaning” machines. However, washing machines too need to be cleaned to ensure that odors do not build up inside the washing basin, along with minimizing laundry detergent accumulations within the machine.

Common Washing Machine Smells

Does your washing machine smells?The inside of your washing machine will contain an amalgam of conditions within its confined space – including water/moisture, heat/humidity, and the accumulation of body soil and laundry products within the basin and rubber seals. When you combine these three environment conditions present in the washing machine this will ultimately lead to the progression of mold, mildew, and even bacteria development. Mold, mildew and bacteria will all contribute to the overall odor emitted from the washing machine and if any/or all of these funguses and bacteria begin to grow it can wreak havoc on the smell of your washing machine. Below we are going to discuss the effects that mold, mildew, and bacteria have on the odors within your washing machine and how they develop in this appliance.

1. Mold & Mildew: This potentially hazardous fungus growth can blossom and grow in a washing machine and lead to a compromising environment that will spread throughout your laundry room and to other places in your home over time. Front load washing machines, in particular, are likely to experience mold growth due to its ability to trap water within the airtight rubber gasket seal of the door. This rubber seal will trap moisture in the machine and will ultimately provide the perfect nooks and crannies for mold and mildew to grow in the washing machine. Initially, in this machine the moisture and humidity will grow into mildew which overtime will progress and form into mold that will produce an odorous smell in the washing machine – and this will eventually spread onto your clean clothing!
2. Bacteria: Have you recently purchased a new, energy-efficient washing machine for your home? If so, then you may be in for a bacteria problem in your washing machine. Experts have found that these new, efficient washing machine can be a haven for bacteria because they wash clothes at lower temperatures. Additionally, front-load washing machines that contain the rubber seal around the door have been found to grow bacteria, which will then spread during the unheated rinse cycle.

Why Do My Clothes Smell After Washing?

Nothing beats the smell of fresh laundry coming out of the dryer and ready for wear. However, when this fresh laundry smell is not what comes out of your washing machine than you can be sure that something within your washer is the culprit that is impacting the smell on your fabrics. Giving your washing machine the proper cleaning is important and it will help to remove those pungent odors stuck within the machine that are spreading onto your clothes. The best way to accomplish this cleaning of your washing machine is to use specific products that work as a deodorizer to rid and remove odors like mildew, mold, and bacteria that are harbored within the basin and rubber seals of the washing machine. Below we are going to learn more about the different deodorization methods for washing your washing machine and removing those foul odors from within this appliance.

Deodorize Washing Machine

When it comes to deodorizing surfaces and items in a home, the three big go-to products to use will include baking soda, vinegar, and bleach. Similar to any other household surface or product that needs to be deodorized, washing machines are no different and these three deodorizing products will be the most likely used to help to deodorize washing machine odor removal. However, do these deodorizing products really work when placed in your washing machine to combat mildew, mold, and bacteria odors? We are going to discuss the different methods and how effectively they will work to eradicate washing machine odors.

1. Clean Washing Machine with Vinegar

Vinegar is a fairly common cleaning ingredient that is used as an inexpensive and versatile deodorizer to get rid of smells on various surfaces in the home. The vinegar will latch onto the surface and rid the odor from the area, leaving it with the distinct aroma of vinegar instead. For those who do not like smells, this will not be a great option for your washing machine – as it can spread onto your clothing and leave the unmistakable odor of vinegar on the clothes. Additionally, vinegar has been said to be corrosive to the hosing of your washing machine, and this will cause damage that will require new hosing for your washer.

2. Baking Soda Washing Machine Deodorizer

Baking soda is a very mild alkaline powder that slightly raises the pH of water when it is mixed into a wash cycle. Also, it acts as a mild antiseptic that will discourage bacteria growth that may be occurring in the washing machine basin and rubber gasket around the door frame. However, when it comes to ridding the washing machine of odors completely, baking soda will usually require multiple different wash loads to achieve this full odor eradication. This can be both timely and irritating for those who want quick results – so they can continue using their washer without issues and odors.

3. OdorKlenz Washing Machine Deodorizer

The OdorKlenz Washing Machine Deodorizer is a specifically designed product that helps to remove and neutralize odor-causing residues that build up in your washer over time – especially in the areas you can’t see but can definitely smell. As we discussed previously, washing machine odors can come from residues left behind in your washer, especially high efficiency washers that use less water which results in a build-up of odor-causing residuals in the machine that will transfer to laundry. Thus, the OdorKlenz Washing Machine Deodorizer was created to fight odor-causing residues in your washer with an earth mineral technology that was designed to attack and neutralize the odors at the source without the use of masking agents or toxic chemicals. Simply place the OdorKlenz Washing Machine Deodorizer in your empty washer, making sure to shake the product vigorously before using. Add ½ cup to the washtub or detergent dispenser and for best result place on a regular load, normal agitation, and warm water cycle.

Washing Machine Deodorizer

$9.99

✓ Made of Safe, Natural earth minerals that provide a complete odor elimination on fabrics

✓ Fast acting, without the use of masking agents or fragrances

✓ Safe to use on all washing machine types include HE washers

✓ Can be used in a regular, normal agitation, and warm water empty cycle