How To Get Rid Of The Smell From The Washing Machine At Home

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-17 22:26

How to get rid of an unpleasant odor in a washing machine

The presence of an automatic washing machine greatly simplifies life. After all, thanks to it, your linen becomes impeccably clean without the need for serious physical costs. However, over time, some of the devices begin to exude an unpleasant smell of dampness and mustiness, which causes significant discomfort to the residents of the house. Getting rid of it is not at all difficult.

Content

• 1 Causes of odors in the washing machine

  • 1.1 Storing dirty laundry in the machine
  • 1.2 Accumulation of debris in the cuff

  • 1.3 Dirty tray

    1.3.1 How to remove odor-producing dirt from the washing machine tray - video

  • 1.4 Poor quality detergents
  • 1.5 Dirty drain channel

  • 1.6 Clogged filter

    1.6.1 Complex cleaning of the machine and its drain filter - video

  • 1.7 Stuck water in the drum

  • 1.8 Scale

    1.8.1 How to get rid of an unpleasant odor from a washing machine - video

• 2 Folk remedies to eliminate the unpleasant odor in the washing machine

  • 2.1 Citric acid

    2.1.1 How to descale a washing machine with citric acid - video

  • 2.2 Vinegar

    2.2.1 How to clean a washing machine with vinegar - video

  • 2.3 Soda
  • 2.4 Chlorine bleach
  • 2.5 Dishwasher tablets

• 3 Industrial remedies to help get rid of odor

  3.1 Gallery of industrial products designed to combat scale in washing machines

Reasons for the appearance of a smell in the washing machine

There are many reasons why a musty smell may appear in a washing machine. In most cases, they are associated with improper use of the device. But even a seemingly clean car can be fraught with surprises. The musty smell is most often found in "suffocated" cars, the hatch of which is instantly closed after use. Any excess moisture accumulating in the device should evaporate. After turning off the device, it is advisable to leave the door slightly ajar for several hours.

Unpleasant odors can appear in the washing machine for various reasons.

Storing dirty laundry in the car

Also, do not use the machine as a container for storing dirty laundry. If the drum of the device is poorly dried, dirty clothes placed in it are a good breeding ground for harmful microorganisms.

Dirty laundry stored in the washing machine creates conditions for the growth of bacteria

Accumulation of debris in the cuff

After completing the wash, it is recommended to wipe the rubber cuff dry, because it is this that becomes the place of accumulation of small debris and liquid. Black mold may appear in its folds, rapidly growing in all directions. In such cases, it may even be necessary to replace the cuff itself. At the first occurrence of the fungus, you can get rid of it using a dish detergent.

Large amounts of dirt can accumulate under the rubber sleeve

Dirty tray

In addition to the cuff, fungus can appear elsewhere on the machine. Quite often, it can be found in a tray designed for powder and liquid detergents. The reason for its appearance there is a thin film covering the surface of the tray. Timely rinsing of the tray with warm water will help prevent such contamination.

Dirt in the washing machine tray can cause unpleasant odors

How to remove odor-causing dirt from the washing machine tray - video

Low quality detergents

A rotten smell can also occur after using low quality powder or conditioner. Residues of these substances in the drum can cause an unpleasant stench over time. Also, do not put too much of even high-quality detergents into a special tray, the remains of which can also cause a similar effect.

Poor quality detergents or too much detergent can cause unpleasant odors in washing machines

Dirty drain channel

Particular attention should also be paid to the channel for flushing the detergents. Using a flashlight, look in there, after removing the tray. If traces of fungus are found, remove it mechanically. To do this, you can use a brush. Keeping the tray clean will avoid this problem.

A clogged washing machine drain can cause unpleasant odors

Over time, during prolonged use of the washing machine, unpleasant odors may appear from the old drain hose. To cope with this problem will help "running" the machine at the maximum temperature and without laundry. If this procedure does not help, you will have to replace the drain hose.

Clogged filter

If an unpleasant odor appears, do not forget to clean the drain filter. After all, it is in it that the largest amount of debris accumulates, as well as small objects in the form of buttons and coins. In case of untimely cleaning, objects in it can begin to sour, becoming covered with a bacterial coating that exudes an odor. In addition, such a filter can cause the device to not drain properly.

The washing machine filter should be cleaned regularly to avoid unpleasant odors

Comprehensive cleaning of the machine and its drain filter - video

Stagnant water in the drum

Sometimes, after the end of a wash, a small amount of water remains at the bottom of the drum. It can start to "go out", especially if there is a tightly closed hatch. Often the cause of this problem is an incorrect connection of the device to the sewer, or a malfunction of the drain pump. To eliminate such problems, it is recommended to contact a professional technician.

Scale

No less troubles associated with the appearance of the smell of rottenness and rot can be caused by the scale formed on the heating element. Usually, a strong odor starts to appear when washing the laundry at low temperatures, however, a burning smell may appear when the device is operated at high temperatures. Specialized products designed for cleaning washing machines, as well as citric acid and chlorine-containing bleaches, will help to cope with this problem, but only if their use is provided for in the instructions for this type of household appliance. When using them, you should "drive" the car with chloride substance, having previously set the temperature equal to 90–95 degrees. If the procedure carried out does not provide the desired results, you should remove the scale mechanically by contacting a specialist.

Scale on the heating element of the washing machine can give off an unpleasant burning smell

How to get rid of an unpleasant odor from a washing machine - video

Folk remedies to eliminate unpleasant odor in the washing machine

There are many effective folk remedies to remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine. Almost all of them are present in every home and are able to provide reasonable savings on the purchase of more expensive industrial compounds.

Lemon acid

One of the proven remedies is citric acid. If you want to remove scale from the heating element with its help, you need to do the following.

1. Take 100-200 g of citric acid powder and pour it into the tray.
2. Set the temperature to 90–95 degrees.
3. Turn on the machine.
4. At the first humming sounds, the appearance of which is associated with too large pieces of scale breaking off the heating element surface, immediately turn off the machine. Thoroughly clean the drain. Switch on the machine again.
5. After completing the washing process, carefully inspect the rubber elements, in which limescale particles can get stuck.
6. Wipe the drum and check the drain again.

With citric acid, you can remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine

How to descale a washing machine with citric acid - video

Vinegar

Vinegar 9% table vinegar also has a good effect.

1. Start the wash cycle by setting "boil".
2. Then pour half a glass of vinegar into the liquid container.

Vinegar neutralizes unpleasant odors in washing machines

How to clean a washing machine with vinegar - video

Soda

If your machine begins to smell of gasoline or diesel fuel after washing things soaked in these substances, you must do the following.

1. Set the temperature to 30 degrees.
2. Add a tray of 1⁄2 pack of baking soda.
3. Start the car.
4. After completing the wash, you should repeat the above steps, replacing the soda with 1 glass of vinegar 9%.
5. Then you should carry out another wash using cold water, without adding any products.
6. After completing the wash, let the machine ventilate by leaving the door open for a few hours. If the smell does not disappear the next day, the series of “blank” washings will have to be repeated again.

Soda will help remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine.

Chlorine bleach

If you cannot get rid of the foreign smell, use chlorine bleach.

1. Pour 0.5 liters of chlorine bleach into the detergent drawer.
2. Set the wash mode to boil.
3. Then use the extra rinse mode.

Chlorine bleach is powerful and can be used to clean washing machines too

Dishwasher tablets

Dishwasher tablets may be useful to remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine.

1. Place 6 tablets in the drum.
2. Set the washing temperature as high as possible and start the machine.
3. Then pause the washing process or simply switch off the machine in the middle of the wash cycle.
4. Leave boiling water with dissolved tablets in the drum of the machine for about 3 hours.

Dishwasher tablets can also remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine

Industrial remedies to help get rid of odor

There is a whole line of specialized cleaning products for washing machines, presented on the windows of most supermarkets. Such detergents are able to effectively remove scale from heating elements, pumps, tanks and tubes, as well as cope with the remains of washing powders and conditioners, dissolve lime deposits, degrease the inner surfaces of washing machines, and also provide effective disinfection preventing the development of mold. The most popular of them are: Merloni, Kalgon, Lanar, Antinakipin. Before using any of them, you should carefully read the instructions on the package.

Gallery of industrial products designed to combat scale in washing machines

Calgon is the most popular descaling solution in the washing machine

Lanar is an effective descaler

Anti-scale will help get rid of limescale in the washing machine

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The above methods and means are equally effective for washing machines with vertical and horizontal loading. Using any of them, you can independently cope with the unpleasant odors that have appeared in the washing machine, without resorting to the help of professionals. Respect for household appliances, as well as preventive treatments will significantly reduce the chance of unpleasant odors appearing for various reasons.