Category Archives: How to Avoid Washer Odor

What Causes Washing Machine Odor and Towel Mildew Smell?

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There are a number of causes of mold odor in clothes washers.

  1. The most common cause of musty smell from your washing machine is overuse of detergents because the user is following directions for amount used. Generally speaking, we’re washing only perfume and sweat from our clothing so we don’t need much detergent. Unless washing soiled clothing, no more than 1 tbsp of any detergent should be used. This is especially important if using liquid detergent, if there is a water softener in the home or if using a municipal water supply. For HE washers it’s absolutely necessary to use HE detergent (low sudsing). Suds affect both the operation and longevity of all HE washing machines. A good test for detergent use is to fill your washer into a hot setting with no clothing (in the washer) and without adding detergent. Allow it to agitate for a couple of minutes. If the clothes washer suds’ you need to use less. If the soap suds are too much add just a half cap (1 tsp) of cooking oil and agitate for a couple of minutes then drain. Use this method to test detergent use in your dishwasher as well.
  2. Using fabic softener. Softener is dispensed in the rinse cycle and tends to collect on the inside of the plastic outer tub. The residue it leaves is a food source for mold and bacteria to grow in the dark moist environment of the clothes washer. We recommend switching to dryer sheets or dryer balls. Keep in mind that dryer sheets can also be overused and cause towels to be less absorbent and retain odor. The sheets can be cut in half or even thirds and work well. They can also be reused. There are a variety of expert opinions that both sheets and softener can cause contact dermatitis in more sensitive people and children. Dryer balls are another option but are not as popular because they don’t leave a scent or get rid of static cling as well in northern climates.
  3. Another cause for clothes washer smells is using mainly cold water for washing. Using mainly cold water for washing is understandable for saving energy but it makes preventive maintenance very important. Do your hottest wash or soak cycle as your last cycle on wash day or as preventive maintenance to dissolve residue. Ensure the water supply hoses to your washer are properly connected so the washer is getting hot washes and cold rinses when you want. This problem is more common than you may think!

*Bleach deteriorates rubber so replace your hoses if they come in contact with bleach for a length of time or after five years. This can save you many thousands of dollars in repair from water damage

  1. Another cause of washing machine odor is non-use of the appliance. If you are not going to use the washer for an extended period it’s a good idea to do a cleaning with a washing machine cleaner. If leaving for a vacation shut the supply hoses off in case of a hose break.
  2. Obstructions in drain pumps can cause mold odor by reducing the flow of water when draining. Almost all front load washers have a filter “trap” that is accessible to the owner. Rather than immediately calling for appliance repair service consult your owners manual for instructions on accessing this trap. ALWAYS UNPLUG YOUR MACHINE OR SHUT OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE REPAIR and have several towels nearby when working on a drain pump because there is always 1-2 gallons of water left in all washers even after draining. It’s surprising what can make it through the washer and into the pump. Bra wires, toys, coins and screws are common items that can cause the pump to jam or catch lint to cause draining problems to make your washer smell. Go here for good instructions on cleaning the filter. Because top loaders don’t have filter traps object can jam the drain pump. These objects can sometimes be removed and the pump can be saved rather than buying a new pump.

What is the best washer to buy?

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With the popularity of 1st and 2nd floor laundry rooms comes a new problem. Because the upper floors are less rigid than lower floors there tend to be vibration problems when a washing machine is used. This vibration can be severe and because sleeping areas are normally upstairs they can be quite disconcerting. The popularity of front loading washers adds to the problem because they spin at twice the speed of the older top loaders. Also, the spin force is horizontal so the floor receives more of that force.

In new homes the problem could be addressed at the early planning states by reinforcing the laundry room floor. Because this adds to the construction costs, most builders and architects are reluctant to do this.

Higher end washers automatically stabilize to reduce vibration. The Bosch washing machine is well known for quiet, dependable models. Also, upper floors water leaks are especially tragic. Their aqua stop systems will stop water from flooding your home.

After the house is built if the bottom of the laundry room floor is accessible the space between the floor joists and directly below the washer can be shored using wood to make the area more rigid. If this is not possible a 4′x4′ cement board or thicker plywood can be placed under the washer to make it stable.

The easiest way for a consumer to address the issue is to make considerations when shopping for a new washing machine.

If the laundry room floor’s rigidity is suspect there are top loading washing machines that now use the same amount or slightly more water than the efficient front loaders. These new washers don’t have transmissions. They use direct drive motors that use magnetism to agitate and spin the tub.

This is not new technology. Domestic manufacturers have “adapted” the direct drive into their units from foreign appliance manufacturers. This is good news for the consumer. These washers have fewer than a dozen moving parts for few repairs. They are quieter because of the lack of a transmission or gearcase. This makes a world of difference for noise suppression.

Note: Many washers tend to have problems with odor. This has has spurred many entrepreneurs creating a large cottage industry of cleaners and other ways to keep odor away. We created Smelly Washer in 2006 to help with appliance repair. Tide has their washing machine cleaner and Whirlpool created Affresh to help with alleged design problems in their clothes washers.

Changing washing habits by reducing amount of detergent and softener used and doing a hot wash or soak and even an extra rinse as the last cycle on wash day has shown to drastically reduce odor problems in washers and laundry. Preventive maintenance before residue can accumulate is key to stopping odor transfer to towels and other laundry.