Most often, you can do it without a plumber.
Why does the washing machine smell
Most often, an unpleasant smell appears if mold has started in the washing machine. This is typical for front-loading machines. Unlike vertical-loading devices, such machines need less water per cycle. Everything goes well when you use automatic washing powder, measuring out its amount according to the instructions. But if you take more detergent or it is only suitable for hand washing, a lot of foam is produced. The machine simply cannot completely wash it off. As a result, a soapy residue remains on the drum and door seal, to which dust and dirt from clothes stick. In warmth and dampness, this mixture becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and fungus.
Another possible reason is a blockage in the drain hose or sewer pipe. It prevents dirty water from draining, so sometimes it remains in the washing machine. This can cause a musty smell. Humidity also promotes mold growth.
How to get rid of the smell in a washing machine
During washing, the machine does not clean itself. If you do not want the musty smell to transfer to your clothes, clean the equipment. It’s simple.
Step 1: perform a service wash
When you wash at a temperature of 40 degrees, mold and bacteria do not die. Therefore, at least once a month, you need to perform a service wash without laundry and powder. Look in the instructions for the machine. Perhaps the manufacturer wrote which cycle to use. If not, just set the longest mode with the maximum temperature. This will clean the drum and drain hose.
If you think that a regular service wash will not cope with the unpleasant smell, add detergent for the machine to the powder compartment. Household chemicals can be replaced with what you have at home:
- Baking soda and vinegar. Mix ¼ cup of water with the same amount of baking soda. Add the resulting solution to the detergent compartment. Pour 2 cups of table vinegar into the machine drum.
- Citric acid. Pour a glass of granulated acid into the machine drum. After the service wash, turn on the rinse mode to rinse off the remaining product.
- Bleach. Pour no more than 60 ml of liquid into the powder compartment. Do not add other detergents, this may ruin the machine. If the drum smells of bleach after the service wash, do it again, but empty.
Step 2: Wipe the rubber cuff
Water, detergent, and lint from clothes remain on it. Mix table vinegar and water in a 1: 1 ratio. Put on gloves, soak a rag in the solution and wipe the rubber thoroughly. To clean hard-to-reach places, slightly pull the seal away from the drum. If stains are still visible after washing, most likely it is mold, which will remain forever. Consider replacing the seal.
Step 3: Wash the detergent drawer
Take the drawer out of the washing machine and soak it in a basin of soapy water. Then wipe the part with a damp cloth. If mold or powder residue remains on the drawer, apply a detergent, such as bleach, and scrub with an old toothbrush. Then rinse the drawer thoroughly under running water.
Don’t forget to clean the body in which the drawer is located. There are holes at the top for water supply. Some of them may be clogged with mold. Remove it with a brush or a toilet brush.
Step 4: Clean the drain pump filter
Unplug the machine from the outlet, and then find the filter. The part is located at the front at the bottom (on the right or left) and is covered by a small hatch. Open this cover and place a rag under the machine. Now you can unscrew the filter. Water will flow out of the hole where it is located. When it drains, wash the part under running water. Most likely, there will be hair and threads on it. This cleaning should be done about once a month.
Step 5: remove the blockage
If the previous steps did not help, check the drain hose. Even after a service wash, it sometimes remains clogged. For example, it can be a plug of hair.
Disconnect the hose from the washing machine and put it in a bucket: water will flow out. Remove the other end of the part from the pipe. Connect the hose to the tap and turn on the water. The stream will push out the debris.
If cleaning the hose did not help and the blockage ended up in the pipe, call a plumber.
What to do to prevent the smell in the washing machine from appearing again
If you do not want to clean the machine too often, try to prevent odors. There are several ways to do this.
Choose the right washing powder
We repeat: front-loading machines cannot handle large amounts of foam. Choose a washing powder for automatic washing and read the instructions for it. Manufacturers usually indicate how much detergent is needed for one cycle.
Keep the drum dry
A closed and damp machine is an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. Therefore, you need to take out the laundry immediately after washing. Keep the drum and powder tray open. This will help the equipment dry faster. If possible, install a fan or dehumidifier in the room.
Regularly wipe the rubber cuff
The right powder does not guarantee that there will be no deposits on the seal, which can cause mold. Therefore, after each wash, you need to remove any debris stuck in the folds of the cuff, and then wipe the rubber with a dry cloth. Once a month, you can use a solution of vinegar and water.