How to get rid of bad smell in a washing machine

The appearance of a musty odor in a washing machine is a consequence of the development of bacteria that rapidly develop in a warm and humid environment. Economical washing modes at low temperatures in modern units are considered an additional reason for the problem. Various microorganisms and molds create entire colonies, then they fall on linen, which can lead to the fact that your clothes will smell bad. Familiarize yourself with the basic rules for getting rid of mold odors and how to prevent them.

Causes of Bad Smell

Bad smell in the washing machine occurs for a number of reasons that contribute to creating a favorable environment for bacteria. The most common of these are:

1. Wash at low temperatures without rinsing. Bacteria do not die in such an environment, they remain on the washing tub, accumulate in drain hoses and joints.
2. Wet washing machine that was not dried after work. Humidity, warmth and darkness are the ideal environment for microorganisms. As a result, the machine gives off the smells of sewers.
3. Frequent use of rinsing agents and substandard washing powders. There are not enough disinfectants in them, which leads to the formation of bacterial plaque on the walls of the machine.
4. The remnants of food and paper in the pockets of clothes being washed fall into the machine and, when soaking, create good conditions for the development of mold.
5. The scum on the heating elements after processing with a special tool leaves crumbs of lime scale in the machine. If they are not removed, a fungal coating with a nasty smell is provided.
6. The drain hose is not firmly attached to the sewage system. Smells from a common pipe fall into the washing machine. In this case, a fixed connection will fix the problem.

How to remove odor from a washing machine

Let’s take a look at the beginning, where exactly can bacteria form, in which places they survive better. Pay attention to the following list:

• a compartment for washing powder and surrounding surfaces;
• a rubber hose going from the powder container to the tank;
• a sealing ring on the hatch of the machine;
• drain hose going down the drain;
• the bottom of the washing tub with moisture after washing;
• heating elements with scale on them.

If there is an unpleasant odor from the washing machine, it is necessary to check every problem place and thoroughly rinse with the bleach the potential areas of fungal reproduction.

Ways to eliminate odor in the washing machine
You realized that bacteria were started in the washing machine, you can even guess why and where exactly they develop. What to do next? Take a note of what actions you need to take to deal with this problem:

1. In any case, you have to wash the entire inside of the machine with a disinfectant. Substances intended specifically to eliminate odors from the car are sold, however, you can get by with the cheaper method - buy ordinary chlorine bleach. Some housewives use tablets for dishwashers.
2. If black plaque is found on the seals and walls of the machine, it must be thoroughly peeled off, and then the surfaces dried.
3. An effective method of starting an empty machine on the longest program at high temperature, while adding a cleaning agent. After that, the rubber around the drum and the compartment for washing powder should still be treated with bleach.
4. Replace detergent, sometimes the reason is in it.Do not use rinse aid too often; it may also be the culprit of the smell.
5. Laundry detergents exist that include antibacterial agents that remove even salmonella, Escherichia coli and staphylococcus at low temperatures. You will have to overpay for them, but peace and health are worth it.
6. Check the heater with the help of a specialist, whether it heats up sufficiently, is it time to clean it from scale, on which microorganisms "hang" and multiply.
7. Replace the drain hose; after several years of use, it can become a real carrier of accumulated bacteria.
8. Check the drain connection to the sewer so that the water does not stagnate in the tank after washing.
9. Call a professional who will clean the filter of the washing machine, this “dirty” business is not always possible for housewives.
10. If the smell remains after cleaning the machine, pieces of dirt may still be stuck somewhere, drive the machine with the cooking program to completely eliminate the problem.

Note to those who buy washing machines

According to many years of observation and research, the appearance of an unpleasant odor due to the formation of mold and bacteria often affects washing machines with horizontal loading of linen. The fact is that their manufacturers, helping consumers save money, use less water for a full wash cycle.

As a result, clothes are not rinsed well from chemicals, and the machine is not washed enough with water. Residual bacteria linger more often in such conditions. Pay attention to this if you are going to buy a washing unit, because we get it for life.

Odor prevention measures

You can periodically clean the washing machine, as we discussed above, however, constant washing in cold water will again and again create a favorable environment for harmful microorganisms. The slightest signs of the appearance of an external smell make the scrupulous housewives upset. Do not worry, observe safety measures that will help you not to spoil your mood when communicating with the washing machine. Remember the following:

1. Once you have completed the wash, opened the appliance and removed the laundry, do not close the door. What is a good vertical loading machine? You generally can not close it, the door will not interfere, as in horizontal, and the tank will be constantly ventilated. Otherwise, keep the machine at least ajar.
2. Do not accumulate laundry in the tank of the washing machine itself, a little humidity and the temperature it creates will provide a favorable environment for bacteria. Buy a special basket for things in which they will be collected until the next wash. So between procedures, your tank inside will dry completely and ventilate.
3. Do not forget to immediately take out the washed laundry. While you are busy, and it lies there for days, millions of bacteria will start in conditions of high humidity.
4. Do not get carried away with short washing modes at low temperatures, they rarely give the expected effect.
5. The machine should not be loaded end-to-end; for a high-quality washing, linen should rotate freely in the drum, and not beat with one lump.
6. Do not exceed the recommended detergent, follow the instructions.
7. Try to always include an additional rinse, the cost of electricity and water - a small fee for your health.
8. Use the modes provided in your washing machine for different types of laundry. If it is cotton or linen, be sure to turn on the machine 90 degrees. When washing stains on clothes, washing at 40 degrees with antibacterial powders is more suitable. Silk and wool are afraid of strong push-ups, use the delicate regime and gentle chemicals.
9. An effective replacement for fabric softeners is ordinary vinegar; it softens water well and destroys the remnants of washing powder.If you dry clothes in a tumble dryer, vinegar will help get rid of the electrification of things. Not to mention the fact that you will avoid allergic skin reactions that occur when using conditioners with perfume components. Just add white vinegar to the special compartment, it will reduce the risk of bacteria formation in the machine.
10. The linen dried in the open fresh air is unambiguously relieved of the microorganisms which are possibly delayed in it. And it will smell not chemical or other extraneous odors, but real purity.

You just think that the problem of smell in a washing machine requires a lot of time and money to solve it. In fact, you perform the same procedures as always, only with extra accuracy. Use products that are more suitable for a successful wash and keep your washing unit and laundry clean. And let simple tips help you avoid unnecessary trouble.

Video: how to quickly get rid of bad smell in the washing machine