A stinky washing machine is no laughing matter. Not only can it cause your laundry room and surrounding area to reek, it can also be the source of stinky, mildewed towels and clothing. All of which can be embarrassing and downright miserable to live with. If you’ve tried the traditional methods of cleaning your washing machine without success, the source of the stink may be hidden.
A Hidden Cause To Your Stinky Washing Machine
A washing machine’s job is to clean clothes, and that’s exactly what it does. But have you ever wondered where all the “dirt” goes? Most of it drains out of the washing machine with the water. But larger particles like lint, hair, skin and even residual detergent and fabric softener, can accumulate in hidden places in the washing machine.
These hidden places are breeding grounds for mildew, which can cause a smelly washing machine. Mildew thrives in warm, damp places where there is a food source (such as lint, hair and detergent suds).
One of the most common places in a washing machine for mildew growth is under the agitator. This is an out-of-sight and out-of-reach area that has a tendency to trap larger particles and any residual water that doesn’t drain. So it’s important to clean under your agitator regularly to remove any build-up before it begins to mildew.
Remove And Clean Under The Agitator
Removing an agitator isn’t as scary as it sounds. In only a few simple steps, you can eliminate the source of your stinky washing machine.
The first step is to remove the cap on the top by either lifting or twisting it off. Beneath this cap should be a bolt. Use a socket wrench to unscrew the bolt, and then lift the agitator up out of the washing machine.
If you’ve never cleaned under the agitator, it may be “glued” down by all the gunk and mildew. It may be necessary to use rubber gloves to get a good grip, or even slip a small rope under the agitator for leverage to help pull it up out of the machine.
Once you have removed the agitator, thoroughly clean the washing machine tub and the agitator with a bleach solution and allow drying before replacing the agitator.
Use A Washer Cleaner
Now that you have a clean washer, it’s important to maintain it. Not only should you clean under the agitator regularly, you should also consider using a washer cleaner such as Smelly Cleaner.
Washer cleaners are used in the hottest or clean cycle of the washing machine. Smelly Washer uses all natural ingredients to safely and effectively remove odor, fungus and mildew from your washing machine.
When combined with routine maintenance and cleaning of your washing machine, a washer cleaner can help eliminate and prevent the embarrassing odors caused by a stinky washing machine.
Posted under How to Avoid Health Issues, How to Clean Your Appliances
This post was written by smellywasher on August 14, 2009
