Why Does My Washing Machine Smell & How to fix it? Well, that and more about it in this article. To start with, there are times when we have just washed a truckload of clothes in the washing machine only to discover that freshly washed clothes smell ‘funny’. You have all the reasons to get annoyed, not to forget the time, energy and effort that go to waste in doing so. However, the good news is that this is a common problem and just as much fixable.
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Why Does my Washing Machine Smell Even After Cleaning?
Firstly, you need to know that the washing machine is a ‘cleaning appliance’ that functions to help cleanse your dirty laundry. Hence, it is only obvious that the washing machine will get dirty in time. One of the main reasons is the accumulation of mould, mildew, and bacteria, among others which are the main reasons for the funny smells within the washing machine tub. The main reason is that once you place the dirty laundry into the tub, various ‘things’ like body oils, dirt, hair and scum are trapped into the gasket, the seal and the detergent dispenser. With time this develops into the main reason for the funny smell that eventually creeps into your clothes. Things get worse with the concoction of these factors with the humidity of the laundry room. This is why the washing machine starts to smell dirty with time, even though it is supposed to clean your laundry for you. However, the good news is that there are many tips, tricks and solutions to eliminate this smell. Let us take a look at some of them.
What to do About a Smelly Washing Machine?
To do so, you need to follow the below instructions:
1. Cleaning of the Machine Inside Out
Well, sounds too simple to be true? Well, try it, and you will be rather surprised by the kind of results that you achieve. For this, you have to remove/extract the various parts, such as the detergent tray, to reach out to every nook and corner. Now soak these parts in a solution of bicarbonate of soda and scrub them with a toothbrush. Finish by wiping clean with a cloth.
2. The Door Seal
We often forget the door seal, but this is where the maximum smells are lurking around. For this, you must clean the door seal after every wash. This is essential because once you run a cycle, a lot of dirt, detergent, and debris gets stuck within the door seal. If left for a long time, this can eventually lead to the development of smells.
3. A Service Wash
This is one of the best methods to eliminate smells with minimum effort. For this, you will need to run a Service wash, a wash cycle without the clothes in it. Also, it has been found that running a Service wash at 40 F or below saves energy as well. However, ensure that when you run a Service wash, you need to run at a higher temperature. As for the Service wash, it Is recommended to run one at least once a month for the best results.
4. The Stand Pipe
If, after following the measures so far, the smell persists, it is time to take a look at the Standpipes. There are chances that the pipe might be partially blocked. For this, use a drain unblocker to remove the build-up, if any, within the pipes.
5. Change the Temperatures
Certain Automatic Hygienic functions are available in certain models of some brands. This is the all-cool Hygienic wash that runs at a nice 60 C and is also automatically activated. The main function of the hygienic wash is to offer deep cleaning of the clothes, all the while maintaining the constant temperature for the entire wash cycle.
6. To Keep The Drum Dry
This one is rather a traditional method where the user needs to remove the clothes as soon as the wash cycle is complete and let the door remain open to air out the lingering smells. This is a simple yet effective method of letting the air circulation do its course while eliminating all the smells.
7. The Damp Towel
The damp towels are perhaps one of the leading reasons for bad smells around the house. But did you know that the damp towel can also be the main reason for smells within the washing machine? For this, it is advised to air dry the dirty, damp towel under the sun before you toss them into the washing machine. This is mainly because the damp towels are a breeding ground for mildew and moulds, and this can continue happily when inside the washing machine and cause the rest of the clothes to smell just as bad.
8. Overloading of the Washing Machine
Everything has its limits, including your washing machine. Hence, you must ensure you are well within the limits of plunging into the dirty laundry and overdoing it. The main reason is that once overcrowded, there is inadequate air circulation within the clothes, leading to a certain dampness to linger around some pieces of fabric after the wash is done. Hence, for this, you need to stay ‘within your limits’ when loading your machine.
Also Read: 12 Best Washing Machine in India
Why Does my Washing Machine Smell?: The Conclusion
How do I get rid of the smell in my washing machine? These are some of the best, most well-thought methods, tips, and tricks for removing smells inside the washing machine. However, it is recommended that you take care of all the precautions, safety measures and other such aspects of maintaining the washing machine when operating it. Quite a few cleaning agents in the market offer to clean your machine for you. So, get hold of them and enjoy the wonderful fragrance of freshness all over.