Proven and effective ways to remove odor from an automatic washing machine

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:

1. 
   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.

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   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.

2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Step-by-step ways to neutralize odor

Experimenting with powders and conditioners

Very often it is detergents that cause the smell. Cheap powders do not dissolve completely, therefore, after washing, the machine parts remain not clean, but stuck with microparticles of these miracle powders.

And, if you wash often, then there will be no problems. And, if once a week or less, then during this time mold has time to develop. Moreover, on any parts, even on those that cannot be “reached” by a run with citric acid.

Removing odor from the drum

Here we are not talking about whether the drum is dirty on the inside. The drum may be covered with mold from the outside, which means that only a workshop, a complete disassembly of the machine and significant expenses will save you.

There's a lot of dirt there, believe me. If you regularly do preventive maintenance, which you will read about below, then such a moment will come much later, but it will still come.

Removing odor from the powder tray

If you have a top-loading machine, then everything is simple. Take out the drawer and wash it thoroughly with an old toothbrush. If we are talking about a horizontal machine, where there is almost no access to the ditch, then you will have to dodge and clean the compartment with improvised means.

For example, you can wrap cotton wool around a thin, long knitting needle, soak it in alcohol or bleach and wipe it. You can simply pour bleach into it, but do not forget to then idle the car several times.

Cleaning the detergent supply channel

If it is clogged, then a knitting needle with cotton wool will help here too. But, in theory, it should be cleaned at the moment when you start a single wash with lemon.

And, frankly, this is not the place that is the source of the damage and where the smell might come from. But, careless owners can do anything, so we are listing this place just in case.

Cleaning the drain filter

In principle, there is almost no smell of fungus from the filter. Rather, it may smell, so to speak, not of fungus at all, but of garbage, since pieces of food may get in there. But, in any case, you need to take out this filter, check it and wash it thoroughly if necessary.

Removing scale from the heating element

The heating element, too, is unlikely to become covered with fungus. It becomes overgrown with a “fur coat” of scale. It, of course, can give off some very faint odor, but it has nothing to do with the smell of mold.

So, be that as it may, since you’ve already gotten there and “gutted” the machine, it’s worth paying attention to the heating element and cleaning it. You can remove it and soak it for a day or three in a strong lemon solution, this helps.

But, in general, heating elements need to be cleaned not only for the sake of cleanliness, but for the sake of saving energy.

The more coating the heating element is, the more current it draws to give the temperature required for washing. That is, it needs more power and time to heat the water. And such a load affects the motor... Everything in the machine is interconnected, just like in the human body.

Changing or cleaning the drain hose

Everything is simple here. Unplug it and smell it. If there is a smell, try soaking it in a bleach solution for a day. If this doesn’t help, then buy a new one and don’t fool yourself. It's not that much money.

Looking for stagnant water

It happens that the smell comes from the container below, where there is always some water left. In general, this is some kind of strange and exceptional case, since, in theory, there should always be water there to protect the rubber from drying out.

But, if you installed the machine incorrectly, at the wrong level, then there may be a misalignment and there will be much more water there than necessary. In general, we can’t say exactly why this happens, but in that exact place there definitely shouldn’t be a smell. Maybe you were away for a couple of months? Then maybe there was some kind of stagnation. And even then, this cannot be.

We are fighting with the housing office and demanding replacement of pipes

If your laundry starts to smell unpleasant, then don’t rush into fanfare and check if there is a smell from another tap that comes from the same pipe? Sometimes it is completely unnoticeable, for example, in the same bathroom.

Let’s say the first portion of water has some kind of smell, and then it is drained and, in the end, you simply don’t notice that there is a smell. The first batch of stagnant water from the pipes is drawn into the machine and it runs there throughout the entire cycle.

In general, if the problem is in the pipes, then the problem is the pipe. We will have to raise all the neighbors to their feet, collect signatures and go to the utility services, demanding that the pipes be repaired. This is a troublesome and slow task.

In our country, even in case of accidents, when the basement is completely flooded with sewage water, they don’t fuss too much, and in this case, even more so... But no one is stopping you from being persistent. What should we do if in our country they won’t move without a kick?

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

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.

Preventive measures

Of course, it is very difficult to deal with several layers of scale and deposits with a strong odor. The best thing to do is to take care of your washing machine on a regular basis, not when it starts to get sick. Try to follow these rules to keep your equipment in good working order longer:

1. Do not lock the door immediately after washing; let the machine remain open for 1-2 days. The parts need to dry.
2. Do not store dirty clothes in the washing machine. Buy a laundry basket that will allow air flow.
3. After washing, check the drum for small debris and wipe the rubber cuff with a dry cloth. Otherwise, it will have to be changed, since the accumulated plaque can eat into the rubber.
4. Try not to use untested cheap products.
5. Pour a sufficient amount of powder into the tray, without exceeding the measure.
6. Invite a specialist periodically. He will examine your car inside and out.
7. Be sure to check that your washing machine is level and in accordance with the recommendations. When skewed, some of the water may accumulate without finding a way out.
8. After each wash, wipe the drum with a dry cloth.
9. Check pockets of clothes before loading them into the machine.

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:

1. Cleaning and disinfection of the rubber cuff.
2. Cleaning the drain pump filters.
3. Removing scale from the heating element (if necessary, replace the heating element with a new one).
4. 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.

Professional products: ranking of the best

Industrial preparations for treating a washing machine and its individual elements have significant advantages over traditional methods: they do not harm the structure and have proven effectiveness. Their use allows you to quickly eliminate the cause of the unpleasant odor; periodic use is a reliable prevention of its reappearance.

IMPORTANT! Before purchasing the product, it is recommended to study the composition and its indications for use presented on the packaging. This is due to the fact that there are both universal and highly specialized preparations on sale, designed to solve a specific problem (descaling, mold control, and so on).

Effective products included in the ranking of the best include household chemicals presented in the table.

Table. Review of popular washing machine cleaning products

Step-by-step instructions for the selected product are presented on the packaging. It is important to familiarize yourself with it before use.

Professional washing machine cleaner

Features of using professional products:

1. Some of the preparations are poured or poured into the powder compartment (for example, Magic Power), others are placed in a drum (Topperr 3004, Kaneyo).
2. Then they start the wash, but without the items. The temperature is usually set around 40-60 °C.
3. Certain preparations (Schnell Entkalker) must be introduced into the machine with water (without laundry) and left for some time (for 1 hour at the beginning of the operating mode and for the same amount at the end). This is necessary to remove stubborn plaque.
4. The Beckmann product can be placed in a drum and can also be used to wipe individual parts of the machine. If the dirt and odor are persistent, you can soak them in the solution.
5. The volume of most products is designed for 1-2 applications.

Prices for washing machine cleaner

Washing machine cleaner

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 using a washing machine. Preventive measures against unpleasant odor

The best way to solve a problem is to prevent it from happening. Therefore, if you do not want to find ways to eliminate the unpleasant odor from the machine and experiment with different folk recipes, operate the equipment correctly and carry out regular preventive maintenance.

After each use of the equipment for its intended purpose, wipe the inside of the device with a dry, clean cloth, wash the powder containers and rubber elements, ventilate the machine, leaving the hatch for loading laundry open for 3-4 hours.

Periodically clean the filter element and heating element of the device. Do not store dirty clothes inside the machine and shake things before loading them into the drum, check pockets for debris and crumbs. It is better to thoroughly rinse heavily soiled items with stains of gasoline, kerosene and other caustic substances in clean water before washing them in the machine.

Adviсe

A few tips from experienced craftsmen will speed up the process of removing unpleasant odors from the washing machine:

1. A clogged drain corrugated hose that could not be cleaned the first time requires replacement.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Special products for getting rid of odors in the machine

If there is a sewer smell coming from your washing machine, you can use special preparations to effectively eliminate the nasty aroma. Most often we trust advertising in choosing this or that product, but here we should be very careful. Here are our recommendations:

• Calgon is a highly advertised product, but it is absolutely not effective.
• Antiscale is a good, proven product available from many manufacturers. Among the minuses, it is worth noting the possible clogging of the drain hose from cleared scale.
• Special cleaners, such as Dr. Beckmann - very good, according to reviews, for getting rid of scale and dirt.

Before using the drugs, it is important to carefully study the attached instructions. Do not use multiple cleaners at the same time. Work must be performed wearing a respirator and gloves.