5 reasons a washer smells like mildew
Every laundry day should end with clean, fresh-smelling clothes. But what if your washing machine smells like mildew, and it’s affecting the scent of your clothes? Regularly cleaning your washing machine can help prevent pesky mildew smells from forming and help your clothes come out smelling as fresh and clean as they look.
Use this guide to learn tips on how to help prevent your washer from smelling like mildew.
Why is there a mildew smell in my washer?
A few reasons why your washing machine might smell like mildew include:
Improper cleaning
Using the wrong amount or type of detergent
Leaving wet clothes in the washing machine for too long after a wash
A dirty dispenser drawer
Review the list below to learn some of the common reasons why washers may form a mildew smell and the steps you can take to help prevent it.
1. Dirty washer tub
Cleaning your washing machine every 30 cycles, or as needed, will help stop smells from developing and can help maintain it, so it’s ready to work come laundry day. Consult your owner’s manual for specific cleaning instructions to help prevent residues and odours from festering inside your washing machine.
Using affresh® washing machine cleaner tablets1 can deep clean the inside of your washer to help minimize the presence of residues and grime in hard-to-reach areas, such as the valves, tub, drain, and more. By using these tablets every month, you can help keep your washer smelling fresh and clean.
2. Using the wrong detergent
Using a non-HE detergent in a high-efficiency washer can cause residue to build up, resulting in odours forming inside your laundry appliance. Consult your owner’s manual to help determine your washing machine model and to find out which detergent type is best suited for your appliance.
3. Wet clothes left inside the washer
Leaving wet clothes inside your washing machine for too long can lead to mildew formation. This may be why there’s a musty smell in your washing machine. It’s recommended to always remove the wet clothes as soon as a cycle is complete to help prevent this issue from occurring.
Select Whirlpool® washing machines, like this front load model, are equipped with a 12-Hour FanFresh® Option, which tumbles a load of laundry for up to 12 hours after a wash cycle. This lets you finish your full laundry routine whenever is most convenient for you.
4. Dirty dispenser drawer
Deep cleaning your washing machine includes cleaning commonly overlooked areas, like the detergent dispenser drawer. Remove your dispenser drawer and clean it regularly with water, mild soap, and a soft sponge or cloth.
5. Using too much detergent
Using more than the recommended amount of detergent can result in residue buildup inside your appliance, which may produce the scent of mildew. It’s best to always consult your owner’s manual to find the recommended amount of detergent to use based on load size and soil level.
Swash® Laundry Detergent2 features an Auto-Stop Top that stops dispensing detergent automatically once you’ve reached the correct amount. This removes the need to blindly estimate how much detergent you need.
Why do my clothes smell like mildew after drying?
Washing clothes inside a machine that has developed a mildew smell will cause the odour to linger on clothing after it’s gone through a drying cycle. Clean your washing machine or consult your owner’s manual on proper detergent usage to help prevent a mildew smell from forming in your washer.
Another reason is if you left wet clothes in the washer for too long and then tried to dry them. This may cause your clothes to have a mildew smell, and they will need to be rewashed.
How do you clean a washing machine that smells bad?
To clean a washing machine that smells like mildew, you should first determine the cause of the smell. Some options to combat this include running a Clean Washer cycle or using affresh® washing machine cleaner tablets, especially if it’s been quite some time since you’ve cleaned your washer’s interior.
It’s typically safe to use baking soda to help deodorize a smelly washing machine. That said, always consult your owner’s manual for cleaning instructions for your model. When making a cleaning routine for your washing machine, consider cleaning your appliance at least once a month, every 30 cycles, or as needed.
Care tip:
It’s pivotal to clean your front load washer door gasket using a soft cloth. This will help keep your appliance clean and free from smelling like mildew. This step also helps prevent the accumulation of moisture.
Tips for removing the smell of mildew from your laundry?
Cleaning your washer as recommended or needed, along with performing other maintenance, can help eliminate mildew smells from your laundry.
Review this list to find more helpful laundry tips:
Use the right amount and type of detergent, based on the recommendation in your owner’s manual.
Clean your washer routinely, including the tub and dispenser drawer.
Remove damp clothes from your washer as soon as the wash cycle is complete, so they don’t sit and have time to develop a mildew smell.
Keep the washing machine door or lid open in between cycles to let the drum air out.
If your front load washer smells like mildew, you should routinely clean the inside of the door gasket.
Explore Whirlpool® Washing Machines
Whirlpool® Washing Machines are designed with features that make laundry more convenient, like the 12-Hour FanFresh® Option that helps clothes stay fresh-smelling after the cycle ends. This feature uses a built-in fan to tumble clothes for up to 12 hours, so you don’t have to worry about leaving them in the washer until you’re ready to unload and fold.
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1. affresh® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
2. Swash and the recommending brands are owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
