Use This Cool Trick To Get Rid Of Moldy Smells From Your Washer!

January 20, 2024 • Jamie Dorman

Your trusty washing machine – it's your go-to for keeping your clothes pristine and smelling fresh. Your garments should come out of your washing machine with a freshly washed smell when you pull them out. But what if your washing machine smells moldy? Unfortunately, that unpleasant odor can make its way onto your clothes.

None of us want to sport clothes that bear the telltale scent of mold or mildew. Yet this happens when your washing machine has mold buildup. The good news is you don’t need to use any kind of special product or hire a mold expert to get rid of it. Use this trick from Sheets Laundry Club when your washer smells moldy, and you’ll have fresh-smelling clothes again.

Why Your Washing Machine Smells Moldy

Before we delve into our ingenious odor-eliminating solution, it's essential to understand why washing machines occasionally develop that musty, moldy smell. Your trusty washer inadvertently provides the perfect environment for mold to flourish.

Picture this: a dark, enclosed space where dirt and debris from countless laundry loads accumulate, mingling with detergent residues. If you favor warm or hot water for your laundry, this environment becomes even more inviting due to the elevated temperature. This dark, warm, and sometimes grimy interior creates an ideal haven for mold growth

Darkness and warmth - these are the very conditions mold craves, and they might be what's causing your washing machine to emit an unpleasant odor. Ever noticed that your front load washer smells moldy? Well, you're not alone.

Front-loading washing machines are notorious for harboring more mold buildup compared to their top-loading counterparts. However, let's not dismiss the possibility that mold can rear its musty head in any type of washer. Whether you have a top-load or front-load model, both can succumb to the pesky mold problem.

Eliminate the Moldy Smell in Your Washing Machine

When your top-loading or front-load washer smells moldy, look no further for the ultimate solution to banish mold. Our tried-and-true tips are here to ensure your washing machine is not only mold-free but also primed to maintain the impeccable cleanliness of your clothes.

Step 1: Clean the Gasket

Front-load washing machines have a rubber gasket, that’s pretty important. This piece of rubber keeps the door sealed so you don’t end up with a floor full of water every time you do laundry. Top-loading washers don’t have this gasket, so you can move on to the next step if this is the kind of machine you have.

The gasket in your front load washer is where mold tends to grow. To clean the gasket, you’ll need these items:

  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Cloth or sponge

Mix the baking soda and white vinegar to make a cleaning paste. Then, apply it to the gasket with a cloth or sponge. Work your way around this part of your machine to eliminate any mold that’s lurking in there.

Step 2: Clean the Detergent Drawer

Do you pour your detergent right into the drum, or do you have a separate detergent drawer? If you have a drawer, that’s where your mold problem might be. Detergent residue can build up inside this area, and it’s usually dark and damp in there.

When you have a moldy smell in washing machine, try cleaning this drawer. You’ll need these items:

  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Soap (optional)
  • Pipe cleaner or small brush

Make a paste with the baking soda and vinegar, then pull out the detergent drawer. Use a small brush or pipe cleaner so you can get all of the areas in the drawer clean, including nooks and crannies. You can use soapy water instead of baking soda and vinegar if you prefer.

Step 3: Get the Drum Clean

If your washer smells moldy, it could be coming from the drum. That’s the main part of your washing machine where you put your clothes. If your clothes have a strong mold smell, it’s usually from mold in the drum.

To get rid of it, here’s what you need:

  • Baking soda
  • White vinegar
  • Bleach (optional)

If your washer has a cleaning cycle setting, go ahead and use it. If not, you can run an empty load on the highest temperature. Choose a high water level if you can, then add a cup of distilled white vinegar and a cup of baking soda. Alternatively, you can use bleach instead of a baking soda and vinegar mix. Once your machine is done running, it should be fresh, clean, and free of mold.

Looking for more tips to help keep your clothes looking and smelling clean? Follow Sheets Laundry Club on TikTok. We also have an array of great products for laundry, kitchens, self-care, and more. Subscribe and save with subscription boxes to keep your home well-supplied with our eco-conscious cleaning products.

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