Why your washing machine (or dishwasher) smells, and how to fix it for good

A washing machine or dishwasher usually smells because of leftover detergent, lint and food residue that stay damp: in the door seal, the detergent drawer, the filter and the drain hose. The fix is to clean those four spots, run a hot cleaning cycle and then let the machine dry out. To keep the smell away, repeat a short routine every month. No special products needed in most cases, and the manual of your machine always has the final word on what is safe to use.

Where the smell comes from

Water is always left behind after a cycle. Mixed with detergent, fabric softener, skin cells and lint, it becomes a film in which bacteria and mould thrive. Low-temperature washes and liquid detergent in large doses make it worse, because they leave more residue than they dissolve. The smell shows up on the laundry first, which is why many people blame the detergent.

Fix a smelly washing machine in six steps

1. Wipe the door seal. The rubber ring on a front-loader traps water, hair and clumps of lint in its folds. Pull the folds back and wipe all the way around with a cloth and a little warm soapy water. Black marks are mould: scrub them off.
2. Wash the detergent drawer. Pull it out (there is usually a release catch), soak it in warm water and brush off the residue. Clean the slot behind it with an old toothbrush.
3. Clean the pump filter. It is behind a small panel at the bottom front. Put a shallow tray and towels underneath, unscrew it slowly (water will run out) and remove coins, hair and lint. This also prevents drainage problems. Do it every three months.
4. Run a hot cleaning cycle with the drum empty. Use the machine's own "drum clean" or "tub clean" programme, or the hottest cotton cycle the manual allows, with a washing machine cleaner or the product the manufacturer recommends. Do this monthly.
5. Check the drain hose. A bent or partly blocked hose leaves water in the machine. Make sure it is not kinked and that the connection to the standpipe is clear.
6. Leave the door and drawer open after use. Letting the drum dry is the most effective habit and costs nothing.

A word of caution about household remedies. Never mix bleach with vinegar or with other cleaners, because the mixture releases toxic gas. Some manufacturers advise against vinegar on rubber seals, so check the manual first.

Fix a smelly dishwasher

The same logic applies, with different spots:

1. Clean the filter. At the bottom of the tub, a filter catches food. Take it out, rinse it under hot water and brush off grease. Do this monthly, and more often if you do not scrape plates.
2. Check the spray arms. Blocked holes mean food stays in the tub. Clear them with a toothpick.
3. Wipe the door seal and edges. Mould and grease collect under the rim.
4. Clear the kitchen drain. If the dishwasher shares the sink drain, a partly blocked drain sends water back and leaves a sour smell. Remove the visible debris from the sink strainer monthly and flush with hot water.
5. Run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner, or the product your manual recommends, every two or three months. The dishwasher deep-clean page has the details.

If the smell is still there

• A rotten egg smell from the drain suggests the problem is in the pipework, not the machine. Check the trap under the sink and the standpipe.
• A burning or electrical smell is not a cleaning problem. Switch the machine off at the wall and call a technician.
• Water pooling around the machine after a cycle means a leaking hose, door seal or pump: stop using it and have it repaired. If you are unsure how to check the connections, our guide on preventing water damage explains what to look for.

Keep it from coming back

The pattern is simple: a quick wipe and open door after every wash, a hot cleaning cycle every month, the filters every month or three months. It is a classic case of a small task that is easy to forget because nothing seems wrong until the smell is there. HouseKiper keeps the dates for you and reminds you when each filter and cycle is due, based on the appliances in your home. The full routine is in the home maintenance checklist.

How often should I run a cleaning cycle on my washing machine?

About once a month, with the drum empty on a hot programme and a washing machine cleaner or the product your manual recommends. Leave the door open afterwards so the drum dries.

Why does my laundry smell musty even after washing?

Usually because of residue and damp in the seal, the drawer, the filter or the drain hose, or from leaving wet clothes in the drum. Clean those spots, use less detergent and take clothes out as soon as the cycle ends.

Can I use vinegar to clean my washing machine?

Some people do, but some manufacturers advise against it for rubber seals, so check the manual. Never mix vinegar with bleach.

How do I clean the dishwasher filter?

Take out the filter at the bottom of the tub, rinse it under hot water and brush off any grease or food. Monthly is a good rhythm.