One of the conditions for long-term and high-quality operation of the washing machine is maintaining the cleanliness of the household appliance.
With each cycle, the washing machine passes several tens of liters of water with particles of detergents, dirt, hair and other debris, partially deposited on the internal surfaces of the drum, drain pipes and other elements.
An unpleasant odor is a signal that the washer needs cleaning. Recommendations from experienced professionals will help you carry out work to eliminate the problem that has arisen competently, without compromising the further operation of the household appliance.
We will tell you in this article how to remove the smell from an automatic machine at home.
Reasons for the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the washing machine
Most often, the appearance of an unpleasant odor from a washing machine is caused by the following reasons:
Dirty tray .
Over time, the remains of undissolved powder, salts, and hard tap water accumulate on the smooth walls of the powder receptacle. As dirt accumulates on the walls of the tray, it begins to emit an unpleasant odor, which easily gets onto the laundry during the washing process.Regular cleaning of the tray will help solve the problem. To do this, remove the powder receptacle (you must press a special blue button), and then clean it with a toothbrush and laundry soap.
- Drain filter clogged .
Hair, six animals and other small debris that gets stuck in the drain filter after each wash accumulate and begin to emit a very unpleasant odor. Fixing the problem is simple: you need to unscrew the cover covering the drain filter (located at the bottom of the front or side panel), remove the filter, and clean it under running water to remove dirt and debris. The now clean part is mounted in its original place and covered with a lid. - Dirty drain hose . Every time you wash, dirty water with small debris passes through the hose. Dirt, settling on the inner walls of the hose, begins to emit an unpleasant odor. Solution to the problem: the washing machine is started in a “idle” wash (without laundry) at maximum water temperature, after pouring half a glass of baking soda into the powder receptacle.
- Scale on the electric heater . Heating elements attract everything: lint, particles of hair and wool, soap, lime deposits. As all this garbage accumulates, it begins to stink (especially when the heating element is heated). A “idle” wash at a water temperature of 95°C using a bag of citric acid (pour into a powder receptacle) will help you solve the problem yourself.
Also, a common cause of the stench emanating from a washing machine can be an incorrect connection of the drain hose to the sewer system.
It is enough to double-check the connection (the diagram is indicated by the manufacturer in the instructions) and correct the shortcomings in order to forget about the problem of unpleasant odors forever.
How to remove using folk remedies?
There are several popular methods that help quickly, using available means, remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine.
Citric acid
Cleaning with citric acid will help 
remove unpleasant odors and detergent deposits .
The steps are simple: pour 3-4 tbsp into the main wash tray. citric acid and the same amount of washing powder.
The washing machine is started in the longest wash mode at high temperatures. The spin option is disabled .
This article will tell you more about cleaning your washing machine from scale with citric acid.
Baking soda
Baking soda powder can not only remove unpleasant odors, but also prevent the appearance of scale, mildew and mold.
Cleaning is carried out in several ways:
- Pour half a glass of soda into the main wash tray and add a few drops of any aroma oil. The washing machine is started idle, at high temperature in the longest wash mode.
- Half a pack of baking soda is poured into the main wash compartment. The washing machine is started in a “idle” wash at a water temperature of 30°C. Afterwards, the washing machine is run again without laundry, at a water temperature of 60°C, with one glass of vinegar added to the main wash compartment.
After using vinegar, the washing machine drum must be left to air for at least three hours.
What exactly can a washing machine smell like?
The most disgusting smell that can come from a machine is the smell of fungal mold. It is so sharply sweet and smells simply disgusting. It's downright heartbreaking. And it’s absolutely impossible to wear something that smells like that.
Also, the machine may smell of acetone, gasoline or other chemicals. But in this case, everything is not so scary, since the culprit is some dirty thing in gasoline that you threw into the washing machine. And such a smell washes out on its own. A couple of washes with some old sheet and that’s it, the problem is solved.
So, there is no point in talking about this; it’s better to discuss how to detect and neutralize the moldy smell. This is really a problem that can lead to not only unnecessary expenses, but also endless fuss.
How to eliminate with special compounds?
If cleaning with improvised means does not lead to the desired result, special household chemicals will help . TOP 5 most effective professional compositions:
Tiret gel
The detergent for washing machines will clean from:
- unpleasant odors,
- soap scum,
- minor blockages.
Safe for metal and plastic surfaces. The gel is effective even if there is water in the washing machine drum. The average cost is 380 rubles. (500 ml bottle).
Doctor TEN antibacterial
Professional product for removing scale and unpleasant odors in automatic washing machines. With regular use, it stops the development of mold and mildew (the main sources of unpleasant odors in the washing machine).
Doctor TEN Treatment:
- disinfects surfaces,
- removes scale, thereby extending the life of the household appliance.
The average cost is 115 rubles. (pack of 200 g).
Chistolan Automatic
Washing machine care product. Provides reliable protection against scale, prevents the appearance of mold and unpleasant odors. Chistolan can be used in any washing mode, both with dry powders and liquid detergents. The average cost is 50 rubles. (pack of 500 g).
Refine
Protection for washing machines. Regular use of the product:
- prevents the formation of lime deposits,
- softens water
- disinfects the internal surfaces of the washing machine.
The average cost is 55 rubles. (pack 750 g).
Cleaner Dr. Beckmann with activated carbon
Qualitatively cleans household appliances from the inside from:
- mud,
- lime deposits,
- unpleasant odors.
Activated carbon formula releases stubborn dirt and soap deposits from even hard-to-reach areas. The product is safe for rubber seals. Average cost 330 rub. (capacity 250 ml).
Cleaning with professional products is carried out in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, at the highest possible water temperature and double rinse mode.
Call a plumber
Calling a professional technician will help you quickly solve the problem of unpleasant odor from your washing machine.
The plumber will conduct qualified diagnostics and eliminate the problem without any consequences for the further operation of the household appliance.
Removing an unpleasant odor from a washing machine requires a whole range of measures:
- Cleaning and disinfection of the rubber cuff.
- Cleaning the drain pump filters.
- Removing scale from the heating element (if necessary, replace the heating element with a new one).
- Cleaning the powder receptacle, drum, hatch doors of the washing machine.
On average, a set of measures to clean a washing machine will cost 3,000 rubles. It is important to understand that the cost of work may vary. For example, during the cleaning process, the technician diagnoses a breakdown or a worn-out element of a household appliance will need to be replaced.
You can order a plumber's service for cleaning your washing machine on specialized websites for repairing household appliances or by contacting service centers operating near your place of residence.
Is there one universal way to get rid of odor?
Many people think that it is not at all necessary to look for something there and clean it, you can just take and run the machine using some kind of chemical. After all, in theory, it should get into all the places and crevices and automatically wash out the suspected areas where fungus accumulates.
In principle, this is the right decision and you should always start with it. But, keep in mind that washing must be done not just once, but a couple of times in a row.
Why is that? But because an acid or other chemical substance may not completely break down the plaque the first time, but only “fluff” it, which will only intensify the stench. Therefore, rinse twice and if this does not help, then you will have to look for the root of the evil...
Prevention
Avoiding the problem of unpleasant smells from your washing machine is easy. It is enough to follow simple rules:
do not store dirty laundry in the washing machine drum - special baskets with perforations have been invented for such purposes;- keep the hatch door always open (humidity is the main provocateur of an unpleasant odor);
- Wipe the rubber cuff and powder receptacle with a dry cloth after each wash;
- use only high-quality laundry detergents - low-grade powders and liquid detergents leave a residue on the inner surface of the drum and washing machine drain hoses, which very quickly leads to the appearance of unpleasant odors.
Regular (once every six months) preventive cleaning of your washing machine will help you forget about unpleasant odors forever and will extend the life of your household appliance.
Tips for Extending Lifespan
To eliminate problems and extend the life of household appliances, experts recommend following five rules.
- Storing clothes in a basket. Dirty laundry should be placed not in the drum, but in special baskets. Moreover, the storage container must allow air to pass through, otherwise bacteria will begin to accumulate on the wet, soiled fabric.
- Alternating temperature conditions. Fans of “quick washing” should alternate short cycles with long ones, once a week change the temperature from 40 to 60-80°C, and at least sometimes wash on a full cycle at 90°C.
- Use suitable powder. It is recommended to use powders intended only for vending machines, observing the exact dosage. You can use liquid products, which, as a rule, are washed away without leaving a residue.
- Washing filters. Filters should be cleaned periodically. The inlet filter is located inside the water supply opening and should only be removed after turning off the taps. The drain filter is located at the bottom, on one of the walls of the machine. Before unscrewing it, you need to place a rag or a low basin - a lot of water usually pours out of the hole.
- Using descaling products. You should soften the water and periodically use cleaners for heating elements. Expensive powders already contain agents that protect heating elements and parts, so additional cleaning is required no more than once a week.
The owners of the car are not always at fault. Often, unskilled technicians incorrectly connect equipment to the drain, and some of the waste water remains inside the hoses. This can happen when the machine is installed at an angle. If the hose is kinked or connected too high, then the center of the stench is most likely located here. In addition, the smell can come from the drain if there is a clog in the drain. “Aromatic” amber is emitted by the sink, bathroom, and other plumbing fixtures in the house.
Adviсe
A few tips from experienced craftsmen will speed up the process of removing unpleasant odors from the washing machine:
- A clogged drain corrugated hose that could not be cleaned the first time requires replacement.
- A baking soda paste (the powder is diluted with water into a thick paste) will help to quickly clean the rubber cuff from black deposits and unpleasant odors.
- An effective remedy in the fight against unpleasant odors of mold and mildew is copper sulfate. For cleaning, use a solution prepared at the rate of 1.5 tbsp. copper sulfate per liter of clean water. Wipe the cuffs with a rag soaked in the prepared mixture. Additionally, a solution of copper sulfate is poured into the drum, after which the wash is started at a water temperature of 95°C.
When cleaning the washing machine, do not forget about personal protective equipment - rubber gloves and a respirator.
You will find a lot of useful and important information about removing various unpleasant odors from objects and surfaces in this section.
