It is annoying to see whenever your washing machine starts to stink. And it is worse when you find out it is due to some problem in your machine that has caused your washing machine to smell. In this blog post, you will find the preventive measures, solutions and learn why washing machine smells.
There are various kinds of smells that you can get from a washing machine. The smell type can be of a rotten egg or the sewage drain smell. Whatsoever the reason, it is very difficult to deal with such situations.
Especially when your family has to undergo such an unpleasant feeling which can be a health hazard for everyone. The smell that you get from a washing machine can be due to various reasons. It is very hard to determine which is the main factor that causes the smell.
Some of the common reasons for these problems would be the formation of mildew and mold. These are some of the popular reasons that contribute to the smelling of your washing machine.
You need not worry as we got you covered the top reasons for why the washing machine smells and the solutions to get rid of it.
Reasons for why washing machine smells
When the main motive of your washing machine is to clean your cloth and make them feel fresh for you, but the scenario here is completely opposite. The surprising fact is that the washing machine that can clean clothes but not itself. Below are some of the top reasons why your washing machine stinks.
1. Formation of mold, mildew, and bacteria
Mold, mildew, and bacteria are the harmful microorganisms that are formed inside the washing machine. Few times you can observe that there are stains inside your washing machine, and these are the microorganisms to blame for.
Their main motive is to create stains and form rust on the washing machine. These microorganisms are closely related to algae and fungi. After creating stains on any washing machine, they cause them to break down.
These microorganisms weaken the strength of the washing machine with the formation of acids on it. They majorly target inorganic materials such as steel, iron, etc.
2. Accumulation of impure elements
When I term impure elements, it can be due to multiple reasons. Such as the excessive use of detergents, dirt from your clothes, or the chemical oils that have been accumulated on the clothes. There are various reasons for the accumulation of impure elements in the washing machine. And these are the major reasons for your washing machine to stink.
This basically happens due to a lack of cleaning. When you regularly use a washing machine, it is recommended for you to clean once a month. Because the particles get accumulated over time by the use of a washing machine. These combine together and creates toxic kind of substances that can cause the washing machine to smell.
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3. Lack of maintenance
You need to ensure that your washing machine is serviced at regular intervals. Because servicing your Washing Machine or even a service wash can help and increase your lifespan of the washing machine.
You can check your owner’s manual guide that what is the service interval for the washing machine. If you can’t find the guide, you can directly call customer support and get your queries resolved. Sometimes, you will be able to get the information online, do give it a try.
4. Improper use of detergent
Another major reason can be the improper use of detergents. It is recommended for you to use a detergent that is compatible with a washing machine. If you fail to do so, your washing machine starts deteriorating over time.
There are several detergents available that are dedicated to the sole purpose of the washing machine. People fail to realize the importance of selecting the right detergent for washing machines. Use a detergent that has good ratings so that your everyday home appliance stays more healthy.
5. Blockage in the standpipe
Sometimes, the cause for the washing machine to smell can be due to the standpipe. As the drain pipe connects to the standpipe, you need to check whether the smell is causing by those parts. These are some of the hidden reasons for the washing machine to smell that is hard to find.
You need to clean your standpipe and check whether if there is some blockage within it. You can also check the drainpipe whether if there is any presence of clogged particles. After clearing out these substances, it will help to get rid of the foul smell from the washing machine.
3 ways to clean your washing machine
Since you came to know the reasons for the washing machine to smell, here are some of the ways that you can easily clean washing machine at home.
1. Usage of bleach
Bleaching is one of the best ways to eliminate these harmful microorganisms. It is a popular technique that is used by consumers to clean their washing machines. Bleach is a perfect cleaning agent to kill microorganism growth within the washing machine.
But the downside of using bleach would be the chemical properties for cleaning. This is harmful to your skin as well as the washing machine if it is used extensively. Ensure that you always wear gloves in order to clean the surfaces using bleach. Just to give you a heads up that usage of bleach without proper precautions can lead to severe health problems.
This technique is popularly used for sanitizing the enter washing machine. As bleach is the best solution for eliminating mold or bacterias, this makes a perfect fit to clean your washing machine.
2. With the help of natural ingredient
You can even clean your washing machine with the help of a natural ingredient which is Vinegar. Vinegar is found popularly across every home. It has acidic properties which can easily eliminate harmful microorganisms from your washing machine.
The process is very simple, by using a dash of vinegar, you can easily clean out the surfaces. You can do it with the help of a cloth or even a scrubber. You need to carefully wipe out and reach every corner of the washing machine. After cleaning the washing machine, you need to run the washing machine on an empty water cycle.
Vinegar also acts as an excellent deodorizing agent. It helps to remove all the unpleasant smells that were formed within the washing machine.
3. By using a cleaning agent
The cleaning agent is an excellent choice to clean your washing machine. Because it is designed for your safety as well as the washing machine. This is one of the effective techniques in cleaning your washing machine without any hassle.
The cleaning agent has also the power to even prevent the future growth of harmful microorganisms. It also helps to remove the bad odour and give you a satisfied feeling after cleaning the washing machine.
You can find several cleaning agents, but selecting the right product is the key. Ensure that the product has good reviews and is compatible with your washing machine.
Tips for maintaining a clean washing machine
Your work is not done after cleaning the washing machine. You need to maintain it to prevent the future growth of harmful microorganisms. Below are some of the essential tips to maintain the hygiene conditions of your washing machine.
1. Keep the washing machine dry
Whenever the washing machine completes its wash cycle and you unload your clothes, keep the door open for some time. This helps the washing machine to dry out itself naturally.
The reason for this process is to avoid the moisture getting formed within the washing machine. And it also prevents the growth of mold and mildew. When you keep the door open, and air flows within it to dry out the washing machine, this creates wonders to maintain the hygienic conditions.
2. Self-wash
Some of the washing machines have a feature to clean themselves. You can perform the function respectively.
If you don’t have this feature, do not worry as you need to run the washing machine without load but water. By doing this, the washing machine gets a chance to clean by itself. You will get better results with the help of a bleaching solution or cleaning agent or vinegar. This helps a lot for cleaning the washing machine and deodorising it.
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3. Keep your machine cleaned internally and externally
Ensure that at regular intervals, you need to clean the inside parts as well as the outside parts of the washing machine. You can perform this operation with the help of a microfiber cloth, toothbrush, or even a scrubber.
It is essential for you to clean the inside and outside parts of the washing machine. Because this gives an opportunity for 360-degree cleaning so that it helps in the prevention of harmful microorganisms in the future.
Final thoughts
We hope that now you are aware of why the washing machine smells and the solutions to deal with.
When you follow the above steps correctly, it not only helps in eliminating all the harmful microorganisms but also helps you to prevent the future growth of it. It is important for you to follow all the steps properly so that your washing machine is free from any foul smells.
Cleaning your washing machine regularly and usage of proper detergents or cleaning agents is the key to maintain your washing machine. If there is any serious problem that you encounter while cleaning a washing machine, it is best that you consult an expert technician.
There can be several other scenarios that we might have missed covering in this blog. But the solutions are almost similar.
Let us know your thoughts regarding this blog post.
Suggested read:
How to use Washing Machine for the first time (Beginners Guide)