You rely on your washing machine to help keep your clothes looking and smelling clean, which is why a washer that smells like mildew can be off putting. But don’t worry, it’s easy to fix and even easier to prevent. Proper cleaning is vital when it comes to taking care of your appliance and falling behind on washing machine maintenance can throw a wrench in your laundry routine.
Use this guide to learn the possible causes for a washer that smells like mildew, how to help remove the odor and tips for preventing the problem from recurring.
Only using cool water wash cycles, leaving wet laundry inside the machine for too long , closing the washer door right after removing wet laundry and lack of regular cleaning and maintenance can all cause your washer to smell like mildew over time.
Mildew is a type of mold that grows in moist, dark environments that don’t get proper airflow. Without proper care, any kind of washing machine can be the perfect breeding ground for mildew, leading to odors in the appliance and possibly in your clothes.
Washing machine cleaner, liquid chlorine bleach and baking soda can be used to clean your washing machine and help remove mildew odor, depending on your model. Always consult your appliance owner’s manual before using any cleaning products in your washing machine.
Some front loading machines should not be used with bleach. However, affresh ® washing machine cleaning tablets 1 are designed to help remove odor-causing residue and grime and provide a deep clean inside your washing machine.
You can help remove mildew odors from your washer by adding your cleaning product of choice directly to the washer drum, selecting the Clean Washer cycle or Normal cycle with hot water, and cleaning the dispenser, agitator and door.
Read the steps below for more in-depth cleaning instructions.
Washing machine cleaner, like affresh ® washing machine cleaning tablets
Liquid chlorine bleach
Damp cloth or cleaning wipes
Before you start cleaning, remove any clothes or other laundry items from your washing machine. Whether you’re using cleaning tablets or liquid chlorine bleach, place the cleaning product directly in the washer drum, not the dispenser.
Always consult your product manual before using chlorine bleach in your washing machine as it is not recommended for some front load models.
Select washing machines offer a Clean Washer cycle that helps reduce residue and odor inside the appliance. If your washer offers this cycle, select it and start the cycle.
For washing machines without a Clean Washer cycle, select a Normal or Heavy cycle and adjust the water temperature to Hot.
Run a Rinse & Spin cycle after the wash cycle has ended to rinse any remaining cleaner from the inside of your machine.
Once the wash cycle has ended, remove the detergent dispenser drawer. To remove, follow the instructions provided in your washing machine owner’s manual. Clean the dispenser with warm water and mild soap, then rinse with warm water. Dry with a clean towel, then reinsert the drawer into your machine.
If you have a top load washing machine with an agitator , wipe the outside of the agitator with a damp cloth and mild soap. Select models have agitators with a removable cap. If your agitator has a cap, gently twist or pull to remove it, then wipe down the interior.
If you have a front load washer, mildew can hide in the crevices of your washer’s door seal if not cleaned. Wipe the rubber door seal with cleaning wipes or a clean, damp cloth. Leave your washer door or lid open to let the interior air dry completely.
Top load washing machines don’t have rubber seals on their lids, but cleaning the lid can still be a good idea. If you have a top load washer, clean the lid and opening with a clean, damp cloth and leave the lid open to air dry completely.
By being prompt with removing wet laundry from your washer and keeping a regular cleaning schedule, you can help prevent mildew smell from developing in your washing machine. Explore the list below for more odor-prevention tips.
Use the right kind of detergent for your machine to prevent unwanted buildup. If you have an HE washing machine, make sure you’re using HE detergent .
Always use the recommended amount of detergent. Excess detergent can leave residue that can lead to odor.
Remove damp laundry as soon as possible. Letting wet clothes sit too long after the cycle ends can result in mildew buildup. Select Maytag® washing machines offer the FanFresh feature that keeps your clothing fresh inside the washer after a cycle is complete until you have a chance to remove them.
Washing laundry in a machine that smells like mildew can lead to your clothes smelling like mildew as well. You can run your clothes through a wash cycle on the warmest temperature allowed per the care label and use laundry fragrance boosters and odor-control detergents.
Always consult your owner’s manual and your garment’s care label before using any new laundry products.
Maytag ® washers with Extra Power give clothes an intense pre-wash and extra agitation to help wash stains away
If you need a washer with major cleaning muscle, Maytag brand has your back. Explore top and front load models with innovative features, like the FanFresh Option that tumbles the drum occasionally to keep the clothing from settling, to find the machine that helps you keep laundry day on track.
1. affresh ® brand products and the recommending brands’ products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation.
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