Here’s why your washing machine smells and how to clean it in [current_date format=’Y’]
Here’s why your washing machine smells and how to clean it.
If you own a front-load washer, then congratulations! You’re saving energy and water, taking care of your clothes less, and getting a better clean.
One day you’ll go to the front-loader only to be hit by an unpleasant washing machine smell. The smell of bad breath is one of the most common issues with washing machines that we have heard about. The smelly washing machine comes from the gasket made of rubber located on the front of the device, where mildew is beginning to grow. The worst part is that this smell could transfer from the gasket onto your clothes.
Finally, here’s why your washing machine smells and how to clean it.
You might think that washing machines wash themselves using all the water and detergent that flows through them. But that’s not the way it operates. To draw a parallel one, imagine that you don’t need to wash your shower because the shower is in contact with soap.
HERE’S WHY DOES MY WASHER SMELL BAD
Front-loaders are more efficient than top-loaders, and they also are much gentler on the fabric of the clothing, making them a lot easier to get the smell out. It’s the smell that makes most people choose top-loaders, but the performance differences between the two are something to consider if you don’t want to take a chance on having to smell your laundry for a few days.
You don’t have to fill the tub all the way because your clothes fall through the water when the drum rotates on a horizontal axis. But when you use high-efficiency detergent, a smaller amount of water can’t wash away the residue left by your laundry.
When the drum comes in contact with water, it gets coated with a layer of soapy film, which is itself peppered with debris and dirt from your clothing.
That’s not a problem when you use the right kind of soap, but in the heat and dampness of your washer, this scum becomes a home for mildew, bacteria, and mold. To prevent a stink-fest, use a top-loading washer. This washer doesn’t use a rubber gasket to seal in water. Instead, it uses a stainless steel cover that’s easy to clean.
HOW TO REMOVE WASHING MACHINE ODORS IN 3 EASY STEPS
To remove those washing machine smells, use this three-step process to restore its clean, fresh smell: Scrub, sanitize, and deodorize.
1. Scrub: Remove the soap, bleach, and softener dispensers so that you can scrub them individually.
Suppose water splashes into one of these areas and is left in the form of standing water during cycles, a source of the mildew. Utilize a toothbrush to reach the crevices and cracks and pipe cleaners to remove the buildup accumulated within the pipes of dispensers.
It is a sneaky source for stinky mold. If you have a front-load model, make sure to clean the seal’s rubber with an emollient cloth and use a Q-tip to clean the gunk buildup on the gasket. For top-load models, pay particular focus on the crevices and cracks that surround the doors, where dirt is likely to get caught after you’ve scrubbed the surfaces and are ready to get into the tub.
2. Cleanse: To clean the machine, Keep chlorine bleach available.
Chlorine bleach is the “go-to,” as it’s the most effective method of getting rid of mildew and mold. Be sure to be cautious while using this product. Additionally, do not use it in conjunction with other cleaning products to protect yourself.
Set your washer to the highest possibility of the temperature setting. What amount of bleach you need to apply will depend on the appliance you are using that you use: Add the bleach equivalent to four cups for a top-loading machine or two cups to a front-loader. Once you have that, start the cycle.
Allow the tub to fill up, then end the wash cycle when the agitator has mixed the bleach. Let the bleach solution remain for 30 minutes, then resume the process. A second rinse should eliminate any trace of bleach.
3. Deodorize: After the bleach has finished sanitizing the area, move to vinegar to eliminate any scents that remain.
Vinegar isn’t just an effective deodorizer; however, the acidity of the liquid helps eliminate hard water buildup and any bacteria that might survive the bleach. For starters, put your washer in the hottest setting. You can add four cups white vinegar (not apple cider or balsamic vinegar) to a top-loader and two cups for a front-loader.
Avoid using laundry detergent or other products during this process. Vinegar is the sole agent! From this point, the process will feel familiar: allow the tub to fill, and then stop the wash after the agitator has mixed the vinegar with water. In about 30 minutes, switch it back on and begin the process until it is completed. When you next go to the door of your washing machine, do not be afraid to breathe deep! Instead of the unpleasant odor, you’ll be able to enjoy the delicious scent of success.
