How to remove odor in a washing machine?

Today, a washing machine has become just an integral part of household appliances in every home. Thanks to this technique, the washing process becomes much simpler, and every housewife has additional free time. Unfortunately, after improper and frequent operation, it begins to exude a rather unpleasant and musty smell. If such a problem occurs, you can solve it, because in this article we will tell you how to remove odor in a washing machine.

to contents ↑

The main causes of odor

Before you begin to eliminate the unpleasant odor from the washing machine at home, you should definitely know the reasons because of which it occurs. The main ones are the following:

• After the washing cycle, the hatch remains closed. This is one of the most common causes of bacteria, which are a source of bad smell. Therefore, the moisture that remains must be eroded.
• Also, after washing, be sure to wipe the rubber cuff. Most often, various debris gets into it and water remains, which are a beneficial environment for the appearance of mold.

Important! The black mold that occurs on the rubber cuff may render it completely unusable.

• Using a drum to store dirty laundry.
• Unsuitable conditioner or detergent. Most often, low-quality products are not washed out of pipes, settle on the walls of the washing machine. The appearance of such a plaque is the source of the appearance of a musty smell from the drum.

Important! Also, the cause of mustiness can be an excessive amount of detergents used for washing. The washing machine will “take” what it needs, and the rest will settle on the walls.

• Dirty detergent dispenser tray. Even the highest quality products leave a thin film on the surface of the tray, on which mold appears over time.
• Pollution of the powder feed channel. As in the situation with the tray, the detergent may settle on the pipe for further supply of washing powder or conditioner. As a result, mold is formed at this place. You can find it very easily. To do this, remove the tray and shine a flashlight. If there is one, serious mechanical cleaning should be carried out.

Important! Mechanical cleaning can be done independently using a metal brush, or with the help of a specialist.

• The filter is dirty. The drain filter is designed to “catch” garbage. If it is full, it can also be a source of unpleasant odor.

Important! In order to prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor, it is necessary to change the drain filter every six months.

• Poorly connected sewage system. Because of this, water accumulates in the machine, which stagnates (you may not even see it), musty appears.
• Wash at low temperature and short rinse does not cause the death of bacteria living on dirty clothes.They, in turn, remain on the walls of the tank and settle further on the pipes.
• Due to poor-quality detergents and washing too dirty things, a plaque may form on the walls of the drain hose, which stagnates and causes the appearance of mustiness.
• Scale on the heater. Small fibers and detergents settle on it. You may not be aware of this problem until you start the low temperature wash cycle. In this case, you can clearly hear the musty smell.
• In the case of low-quality sewer connections, the smell will come not only from the washing machine, but also from other places.

Important! If during the check you excluded all of the above sources of the problem and the machine is still new, in this case it is better to contact specialists. In order not to get into trouble, read about warranty repair of washing machines.

to contents ↑

Where to look for a problem?

In order to remove the smell from the washing machine, you need to know the places of the greatest accumulation of bacteria. These are:

• Tray for pouring powder, as well as its walls;
• Hose connecting the tray and tank;
• A sealing rubber ring located around the hatch;
• Drain hose and filter;
• Tank bottom;
• Heating elements.

Important! Each of these places should be washed and cleaned with chlorine-based or other special detergents that eliminate bacterial plaque, as a result of which the smell disappears.

to contents ↑

Eliminate the stench from the washing machine

It is not so difficult to remove the unpleasant odor from the washing machine, but first you need to check all the possible places of bacteria. This should be done as often and thoroughly as possible.

To clean the washing machine, it is best to purchase a special cleaner that is sold at any household chemical store. This process has several steps:

• Make a mild detergent solution and soak a detergent container in it.
• With the same solution, wipe the rubber cuff. Remove all debris from underneath.
• Wipe the hatch glass with a cleaner, then rinse off the product.
• Unscrew the drain filter, which is located at the bottom of the access panel housing.

Important! When removing the drain filter, be prepared for water to pour out of it. Therefore, prepare a basin or bowl in advance.

• Clean the drain filter from dirt and then secure it in place.
• Pour the rest of the detergent into the container and put the washing machine on a cycle with a temperature of at least 60 degrees without preliminary soaking.

Important! In this case, the washing machine starts up in order to eliminate bacteria and a musty smell, therefore, the drum cannot be loaded with clothes.

Such a procedure for preventive purposes must be carried out 2-3 times a year. If the sediment from the tank and the unpleasant smell does not go away, then, unfortunately, you cannot do without the help of a master.

to contents ↑

How to remove the smell from the washing machine with folk remedies?

In order to remove an unpleasant odor, you do not have to purchase potent and expensive concentrates. To do this, the usual improvised tools that every housewife will find are suitable:

• White vinegar This is a fairly universal remedy, which can quickly clean the surface of bacteria and eliminate unpleasant odors. You need to pour half a glass of vinegar into the tray and put the machine on an empty wash cycle.

Important! Since the first water during washing is most often simply poured out, vinegar should be poured 15 minutes or half an hour after the start of the cycle - it depends on the selected mode.

• Lemon acid. Pour 100-150 grams into the container and put on the longest mode. At the end of the process, use a damp cloth to clean the drum.

to contents ↑

The smell of mold from a washing machine - how to remove?

The unpleasant odor that occurs with the appearance of black mold on the walls of the washing machine is very difficult to remove, since this strain can be located in various hard-to-reach spots of the unit. However, there are ways to help you solve this problem:

• Wash or replace the rubber seal ring well.
• Soak the drain hose in a special product. It must be kept until it is clean again. If this procedure does not produce results, the drain hose will need to be replaced.
• Using a special disinfectant, following all the manufacturer's recommendations, treat the inside of the machine.
• Clean and sanitize the detergent tray.

Important! Do not forget about the tools at hand, since they can no worse cope with mold. Help you: citric acid, vinegar, soda solution, copper sulfate. With minor contamination, you can use the most ordinary laundry soap.

• Clean and disinfect the pump filter thoroughly.
• Run the unit at the maximum temperature for heating water using special detergents.

to contents ↑

Eliminate the smell of gasoline and diesel fuel

The main reason for the occurrence of such a smell is pre-washed items that have been stained with these substances.

Important! To avoid this problem, soak dirty items in cold water before the wash cycle.

In order to remove gas from the washing machine, you must:

1. Set a washing cycle with a temperature of 30 degrees, and put half of a pack of ordinary baking soda in the powder tray.
2. After the end of the first cycle, restart the unit with the same temperature, only pour a glass of white vinegar instead of soda.
3. The third stage of cleaning is another wash cycle, only in cold water without the addition of various detergents. At the end of the process, be sure to open the hatch and let it air.

Important! In order to check the effectiveness of cleaning, you can fill the washing machine with unfit items. In the event that the unpleasant odor of diesel fuel or gasoline remains, you will have to repeat the procedure again.

to contents ↑

Get rid of scale

No washing machine is insured against the appearance of scale on the heating element, because even with good water quality, residues and insoluble granules of washing powder settle on the surface, and under the influence of high temperatures, scale forms. For its elimination, apple cider vinegar and citric acid will be excellent helpers.

To remove the unpleasant odor in the automatic washing machine, you must strictly observe the following sequence of actions:

• Close the door of the empty washing machine tightly.
• Pour 100 milliliters of apple cider vinegar into a container for washing powder or add 100-200 grams of citric acid.
• Choose the cycle with the highest temperature.
• Turn on the unit.

Important! During the washing process, it is necessary to monitor the washing machine, since the scum can be large and, during the process of eliminating it, can break off in rather large pieces. Therefore, as soon as this happens, you should immediately turn off the machine, take out all the garbage, and then continue washing.

• At the end of the cycle, thoroughly rinse all internal surfaces, including rubber elements.

Important!Sometimes the cause of an unpleasant odor can be various malfunctions within the system itself. As a result, error codes appear on the display. How to decipher them and fix the malfunction, depending on the brand of your washing machine, read the information from our articles:

• Error codes of the washing machine Ariston;
• Hans's washing machine - error codes;
• Samsung washing machine error codes;
• Error codes of the Indesit washing machine.

to contents ↑

We carry out prevention

It is much easier to build proper care and periodically carry out preventive measures than to solve the problem of mustiness and stench. We bring to your attention a number of recommendations that will help you keep your “assistant” clean:

• It is imperative that after each wash it is necessary to wipe dry all the internal surfaces of the washing machine, remove and rinse the powder container, thoroughly wipe the rubber ring-seal.

Important! After washing, the manhole cover must be kept open at least 3 hours, until the tank completely dries.

• At least once a month, clean the drain filter.
• It is imperative to carry out prophylaxis of TENA once every two months.
• Without special detergents, turn the unit on to the maximum washing mode once a month.
• Carefully measure the right amount of detergent.
• Never leave washed items in the drum of a washing machine.

Important! You will find out some more useful recommendations on how to properly maintain the machine clean and tidy by clicking on the link “Automatic washing machine”.

to contents ↑

Stock footage

Proper care of the washing machine is a guarantee of its long-term performance and quality of washing. Thanks to the advice of our experts, you will be able to keep it clean and tidy, and your clothes will be fragrant after washing with your favorite air conditioning fragrances, but by no means musty or marshy.