Washing Machine Smells? Clean These Three Spots First
Most washer odor comes from the rubber door gasket, the detergent drawer and the drain filter — not from the drum. Water never reaches those spots, so a cleaning cycle alone will not fix them.
Quick fix
- Peel back the rubber door gasket on a front loader and wipe inside the folds. Black spots there are your answer.
- Pull out the detergent drawer, soak it in warm water and scrub with a toothbrush.
- Open the drain filter — usually behind a small panel at the bottom front — and clear the debris.
- Only then run a tub-clean cycle at 140°F / 60°C or hotter with oxygen bleach or a washer cleaner.
- Leave the door and drawer open afterward so the inside dries.
What you need
- Dry and damp cloths
- An old toothbrush
- Oxygen bleach or a commercial washer cleaner
- Rubber gloves
- A shallow pan and towel for the drain filter
Step by step
1. Find out where the smell actually is
People often run cleaning tablets and get no result. That is because those tablets only rinse the drum, and the smell is usually somewhere the water never touches. Open the door and smell the gasket folds, the detergent drawer and the bottom drain panel in turn. The source is usually obvious within a minute.
2. Clean the door gasket
On a front loader, pull the rubber gasket back with your fingers. There is almost always standing water underneath, along with black mold spots and a slimy film. Wipe the fold out with a damp cloth, scrub stubborn spots with a toothbrush, and finish by drying it completely. That last part matters as much as the cleaning.
3. Remove and wash the detergent drawer
Most drawers pull straight out, though some have a release tab. Hardened detergent and softener build up and feed mold. Soak the drawer in warm water for ten minutes, scrub it, and wipe out the cavity it slides into as well.
4. Clear the drain filter
Front loaders have a filter behind a small door at the bottom front. Put a shallow pan and towel down first — water will pour out. Open the cap slowly, drain it, then unscrew the filter and remove hair, lint and coins. Screw it back in firmly to avoid leaks. Location and access vary by model, so check your manual.
5. Run the clean cycle
Now the cycle is worth running. Add oxygen bleach directly to the drum, or use a commercial cleaner at the dose on the package, and select the tub-clean or hottest cycle. Do not put laundry in.
6. Dry it out and keep it that way
Leave the door and the detergent drawer open. Skipping this undoes the whole job within a few weeks — half of odor control is simply letting the machine dry.
Safety notes
- Do not combine a washer cleaner with chlorine bleach. Use one product at a time.
- Never mix chlorine bleach with acidic cleaners including vinegar and citric acid. The reaction releases toxic chlorine gas.
- Do not run a cleaning cycle with clothes in the drum.
- Have a pan and towels ready before opening the drain filter — trapped water will spill.
- Do not attempt to disassemble the drum. That is a service job, and reassembly errors cause leaks.
- Filter location and recommended cleaners vary by model. Check the manufacturer manual first.
Never mix different types of cleaning products. Chlorine bleach combined with acidic cleaners releases toxic gas. Always follow the instructions on the product label.
By situation
Sewer smell rather than mildew
If it smells like a drain rather than mold, the problem is the plumbing, not the washer. A drain hose pushed too far into the standpipe, or a standpipe with no trap, lets sewer gas come straight up. Fitting a proper trap usually solves it.
Top loaders
US-style top loaders have no door gasket, but residue builds between the inner and outer tub where you cannot see it. A hot tub-clean cycle with oxygen bleach every two to three months matters more here. Wipe the rim under the lid as well.
The machine is clean but laundry still smells
Then the habits are the issue: too much detergent, cold-only washing, or leaving wet loads sitting. Towels are usually the first item to show it.
A new machine that already smells
Check ventilation and drainage. A washer in a sealed closet or small utility room never dries out between loads, and mold takes hold quickly.
Why it happens
- The inside of a washer is close to ideal for mold: it stays damp, it sits at room temperature, and detergent residue provides food.
- Fabric softener is a major contributor. It leaves a waxy film on the drum and drawer that gives mold something to anchor to.
- Washing only in cold water leaves more undissolved detergent behind, which increases that residue.
- Closing the door after a load traps humidity inside. This is the single most common cause.
Keeping it from coming back
- Leave the door and detergent drawer open between loads.
- Use the recommended amount of detergent — more is not better.
- Wipe the gasket and drawer once a month. It takes five minutes.
- Run a tub-clean cycle every two to three months.
- Remove laundry as soon as the cycle finishes.
- Ventilate the laundry area so humidity can escape.
FAQ
I used a cleaning tablet and nothing changed.
Oxygen bleach or a commercial washer cleaner?
Can I use vinegar?
How often should I clean it?
Last reviewed: August 25, 2026
- Drain filter location and tub-clean cycle settings vary by model — consult the manufacturer manual.