Common Washing Machine Smells, And What To Do About Them

No one likes it when their washing machines smell, and here are some tips to get rid of those unwanted household odors!

Although your home’s washing machine is consistently filled up with detergents and water, it’s still likely that your washing machine smells in a way you don’t like. Just because your washing machine is exposed to water doesn’t mean it’ll always be squeaky clean, and smelly washing machines are actually a very common thing all throughout Northern Utah.

Below we’ll be going over some common washing machine smells, and what you can do about them!

Common Washing Machine Smells in Northern Utah

There are typically three types of smells that emanate from washing machines, including the following:

Moldy Smells

Any type of musty smell coming from your washing machine is an indication of microorganism growth within the drum or gaskets of your washer. This type of odor is common with front-loading washing machines, and this is largely because washers are great environments for bacteria and mold development.

Sewer Odors

When your washing machine is emanating a sewer-like smell, it’s likely due to the presence of sulfur. This essentially means that your washing machine is full of bacteria, and it’s releasing sulfuric gases into your home. However, this type of issue could also be caused by another plumbing problem that’s causing sewer gases to enter your home.

This type of odor is extremely dangerous due to its flammability, which is why this type of smell needs to be checked out by a Master Plumber right away!

Rotten Egg Smells

Rotten egg smells are another indication of hydrogen sulfide gases entering your home through your plumbing system. The good news is that this type of odor can be eliminated by thoroughly cleaning out your washing machine.

However, it’s important to note that if these smells are coming from your dryer, then it could be a sign of a natural gas leak. These types of leaks are always incredibly dangerous and need to be taken seriously. When you suspect that your home is experiencing a natural gas leak, be sure to call your local gas company immediately.

Common Reasons For Smelly Washing Machines

Some of the common causes for the above washing machine smells include the following:

Cleaning Problems

Just like all of your other appliances, you’re going to need to clean out your washing machine on a consistent basis. When you neglect the cleanliness of your washer, it can likely develop germs and other bacteria that then lead to unwanted smells.

Drain Clogs

It’s also possible for your washing machine’s drains to become seriously clogged over time, which can include all sorts of buildup. Although this type of drain cleaning may seem like it could be a DIY project, it’s always best to leave this type of plumbing work in our experienced hands.

Our plumbing experts will utilize state-of-the-art drain augers to ensure that your washing machine’s pipes are free of resistance.

Hard Water

Hard water is a common issue throughout Northern Utah, and it can be the cause of washing machine smells. Hard water will cause your washing machine to retain all sorts of dissolved minerals, and this can lead to limescale buildup over long periods of time.

And bacteria frequently develop in limescale, which leads to bad smells.

Doing Laundry Overnight

When you leave your wet clothes in your washing machine overnight or for too long, it can lead to smells. This is one of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to accidentally promoting mold growth in their homes.

Tips To Get Rid Of Washing Machine Smells

Here are some tips to help you get rid of any unwanted smells coming from your home’s washing machine:

Regularly Cleaning Out Your Washing Machine

Whenever you smell odors emanating from your washer, it’s a sign that the appliance needs to be cleaned as soon as possible. How you end up cleaning your machine will depend upon whether it’s a top or front-loading unit.

But no matter what type of unit you own, you’re going to need to deodorize your washer as effectively as you can. Many people will utilize baking soda and vinegar for these cleaning solutions, but there are also washing machine cleaner and deodorizer products you can purchase at your local grocery store.

Using The Right Type of Detergent

It’s also important that you’re always using the right type of detergent to coincide with your washer unit, and this is particularly important if you have a front-loading washing machine.

Some washing machines will need high-efficiency detergents, so be sure to check your unit’s manufacturer recommendations to ensure you’re using the correct laundry products.

Increasing Air Circulation In Your Laundry Room

One of the easiest things you can do to avoid or get rid of washing machine smells is to open the unit up for long periods of time and allow for proper airflow into the unit. It’s also a good idea to place a fan in your laundry room when you want to speed up this drying process, and this type of drying is particularly important when you have a front-loading unit.

When you have a front-loading washer, it’s always recommended to keep the door open after using it so you aren’t allowing for moisture to build up into mold.

Contact Beehive Plumbing When You Need Help Getting Rid Of Washing Machine Smells!

Beehive Plumbing supports both homes and businesses throughout Northern Utah with all sorts of appliance repairs, and we’ll be there for you when you’re experiencing washing machine odors that simply won’t go away.