How to Get the Smell Out of a Washing Machine

Do you hold your breath as you uncomfortably sidle up to your washing machine and try to dump your clothes in by the fistfuls before you need to come up for air?

Do your clothes have a weird smell even after you’ve washed them two or three more times?

Alas, there is hope!

Most times a smell in a washing machine is caused by bacteria build up inside of the drum, which causes the not-so-lovely scent to permeate the air and soak into your clothes.

But now you can breathe easy knowing there are simple steps and precautions to make your clothes smell great.

How to clean the washing machine:

1. Wet the inside walls or the drum with warm water.
2. Use a cloth you don’t mind getting dirty/throwing away, and gently scrub the scummy film that is coating the inside of the washing machine.
3. Empty the lint trap (if your machine has one), and wash it thoroughly.
4.  Rinse the surface with water. Do not add bleach to the soapy surface – that will make toxic gases!
5. Add bleach to the dry, (and now) clean interior surfaces of the washing machine.
6.  Give the bleach time to set before washing it away.

Once you’ve given the washing machine a good scrub down, here’s how to keep it smell-free:

• Schedule a thorough cleaning every so often.
• Keep your washing machine dry.
• Use detergent made from 100% soluble cleaning agents.
• Use the recommended amount of soap and wash setting.
• Soak dirty fabrics in soapy water before throwing them into the washing machine.

No matter which brand of washer (Whirlpool, GE, or Electrolux), you can always be assured that if you take care of your appliances, they will take care of you.