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5 reasons a washer smells like mildew
Fresh, clean-smelling clothes are a signal of success at the end of laundry day. It isn’t common for a washer to smell a little off if you care for it properly, but what should you do if your washing machine smells like mildew? Routinely cleaning your washing machine can help combat pesky smells and help your clothes come out smelling as clean as they look.
Explore the topics below for tips on how to help prevent your washer from smelling like mildew, what to use to clean your washing machine and what you can do if your clothes smell like mildew after drying.
Why does my washing machine smell like mildew?
Improper cleaning, using the wrong type or amount of detergent, leaving clothes in the washer after a cycle and even a dirty dispenser drawer can be reasons why your washer smells like mildew. All of these issues can be potentially avoided with proper care and maintenance of your machine, per your user manual instructions. Take a look at the list below to discover common reasons why washing machines may develop a moist, mildew smell and what you can do to help stop it.
1. Dirty washer tub
If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned the inside of your washing machine, that may be a reason why your washer smells like mildew. Cleaning your washer every 30 cycles, or as needed, can help keep it ready for loads of clothes come laundry day. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions to help prevent residues and odors from forming inside your washer.
Using affresh® washing machine cleaner tablets1 can clean deep inside your washer to help reduce residues and grime in hard-to-reach areas, such as the washing machine tub, valves, drain and more. Use these tablets monthly to help keep your appliance smelling as it should.
2. Using the wrong type of detergent
Using non-HE detergent for a high-efficiency washer can result in residue buildup, which can cause odors to develop inside your washing machine. Refer to your owner’s manual to help determine what kind of washing machine you have and to find out which type of detergent is best for your appliance.
3. Wet clothes left inside the washer
Leaving a load of wet clothes inside your washing machine for too long can lead to mildew growth, which may be the reason behind that musty smell coming from your appliance. Always remove your wet load of clothes as soon as possible after a cycle is complete to help prevent this from happening.
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Select Whirlpool® Washers, such as this front load model, come with the FreshFlow™ Vent System, the first fan-powered system with antimicrobial protection designed to help keep your clothes and washer fresh. It's a trio of freshness features including the Dry Drum Cycle, FanFresh® Option, and Antimicrobial rubber seal.
4. Dirty dispenser drawer
Giving your washing machine a deep clean includes many overlooked areas, like your washer’s detergent dispenser drawer. Your dispenser drawer should be removed and cleaned regularly with water, mild soap and a soft sponge or cloth to help prevent any unwanted smells or odors.
5. Using too much detergent
Using more than the recommended amount of detergent can cause residue to build up inside your washer, which can lead to mildew odors. Always refer to your owner’s manual to find the ideal amount of detergent to use based on your load size and soil level.
Shop Swash® Liquid Laundry Detergent
Swash® Laundry Detergent2 features an Auto-Stop Top that stops dispensing detergent automatically when you have the right amount, so there’s no second-guessing how much you need.
Why do my clothes smell like mildew after drying?
If you’re washing clothes inside a machine that’s begun to develop a mildew smell, this lingering odor may stay on your clothing even after it has been dried. Proper use and care of your washing machine should eliminate any odours that might otherwise develop. Try cleaning your washing machine or consulting your owner’s manual on proper detergent usage to help combat the mildew smell in your washer.
If you left a load of wet clothes in the washer for too long and then tried to dry them, you may need to rewash the load if a mildew smell has developed.
How do you clean a smelly washing machine?
When preparing to clean a washing machine that smells like mildew, it can be helpful to first determine what’s causing the smell. You may just need to run a Clean Washer cycle or use washing machine cleaning products if it’s been quite some time since you’ve cleaned the inside of your appliance.
- Clean the interior with an appropriate washing machine cleaner.
- Clean laundry detergent dispensers with all-purpose cleaner.
- If your washer has an agitator with a removable cap, clean the interior of the agitator with a cloth or a scrub brush.
- Wipe down the door gasket with machine cleaning wipes or a clean, damp cloth.
You can find step-by-step instructions for cleaning your washing machine in this guide from Whirlpool brand. When developing a cleaning regimen, consider cleaning your appliance about once a month, every 30 cycles or as needed.
Do vinegar or baking soda remove washer odors?
Over time, vinegar can cause damage to washing machine components, so it is not recommended as a cleaning product for your washer. However, baking soda is generally safe to use to help deodorize a smelly washing machine, but always refer to your owner’s manual for cleaning guidelines for your specific model.
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Care tip:
It’s crucial to clean your front load washer door gasket with a soft cloth to help keep your appliance fresh and free from mildew odors. This simple step can help prevent moisture accumulation, for a cleaner machine.
Shop affresh® washing machine cleaners
Affresh® washing machine cleaning solutions are easy to use and are formulated to deep clean washer components. Just drop a tablet in your washer and let the mess-free affresh® do the dirty work, cleaning even where you can’t see.
Tips to remove mildew smell from laundry
Cleaning your washer as recommended, along with other helpful maintenance and laundry care, can help prevent smells from forming. Take a look at the list below to find additional laundry tips:
Clean your washing machine regularly. Be sure to clean the tub and dispenser drawer.
Use the correct amount and type of detergent, based on what’s recommended in your owner’s manual.
Unload damp clothes from your washer as soon as possible, so they don’t sit and develop a mildew smell.
If your front load washer smells like mildew, be sure to regularly clean the inside of the door gasket.
Keep the washing machine door or lid open in between cycles to allow the inside drum to air out.
Explore Whirlpool® Washing Machines
Select Whirlpool® Washing Machines come with features that are designed to make laundry more convenient, like the Presoak Option that lets you skip soaking outside of the washer by adding extra time in the washer before the wash cycle starts, or the Sanitize Cycle with Oxi, which eliminates 99.9% of common household bacteria3 with increased wash temperatures and oxygenated additives.
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1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
2. Swash and the recommending brands are owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
3. Bacteria tested were S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae.
