Fungus odor in clothes washers is caused by a fungus that attaches to plastic and rubber parts in your washer. Clothes washers provide the perfect environment for fungus to grow. The outer drum of the washer that holds the water is wet and dark with little air flow. This fungus odor accumulates and is transferred to clothing and towels (especially cotton). In order to remove the odor it is necessary to get rid of the fungus and mildew.

The places where the fungus is heaviest are just above the normal high water mark where water and suds splash against the outer tub and at the bottom of the tub where there is always water and excess detergent settles to the bottom while the washer is not being used.

MOST users of Smellywasher cleaner are able to remove the fungus odor by simply adding a tablespoon of cleaner to a ”hot” setting and allowing the washer to go through it’s cycle. The next paragraph describes how to use Smellywasher cleaner to remove odor from your washer in extreme cases. It may be a good idea to do a “practice” run not using cleaner if unsure about the operation of the unit.

To remove this fungus buildup fill your washer into it’s highest, hottest setting and wait for agitation to begin. Pause the unit and add 1-2 tablespoons of smellywasher clothes washer cleaner and 1-3 gallons of hot water directly into the tub in order to raise the water level above the fungus line, if your unit is a front loader and you can’t get the door open you can add water and cleaner through the detergent dispenser. Some washers will drain automatically if too much water is added. If this is the case - adjust the amount of water added. Some users have reported to simply unplug the unit. Allow the unit to agitate for a few moments to get the cleaner dispersed and then and allow it to soak for 2-4 hours. Normally, you can push “pause” ONCE and soak for as long as desired. Start the washer and allow it to go through the rest of it’s cycle. Fill the unit again into it’s hottest setting, add 1 more tablespoon of the cleaner and 1-3 gallons of hot water. Allow to agitate for a few moments. Stop and allow it to soak overnight. In the morning start the unit again and allow it to go through the rest of it’s cycle. You MAY OR MAY NOT see any fungus loose and floating to the top during either cleaning. If you do see any floating fungus you can either remove it manually or allow the machine to drain it. After the washer drains run 1-2 rinse cycles. PLEASE BE PATIENT as time is needed in order for the plastic and rubber parts in the washer to release the fungus that it has absorbed. It may take several days and/or rinses for the odor to be completely removed. Please use your washer as normal in the interim of waiting for the odor to go away.

If you’re unable or unwilling to do any of the above - you can add several (3) older towels to your washer, put into a hot setting and allow it to go through it’s cycle. The added weight of the towels will increase the amp draw (work performed) of the motor causing the control to add more water. The towels also cause a “wave” effect splashing the solution higher up the side of the outer tub. Allow to soak as advised.

Don’t try to remove odor from towels and clothing until odor is completely removed from the washer. To remove odor from towels and clothing just add 1 teaspoon of cleaner instead of detergent, rinse and dry as normal.

Instructions are included with every order that advise on how the fungus can be avoided.