Your washing machine’s gunk and bacteria may be making your clothes smell. Here’s what to do

It’s not often that we think about how to clean a washing machine. After all, how much dirt can it hold? The truth is, your washing machine can be the perfect space for mold and mildew to grow in. Leaving the lid closed on the damp, warm area interior can lead to a hidden bacteria and a rotten smell. And using the cold-water setting may be even worse. 

But how? And what should signs should you look for? The best way to spot mold is if your clothes or laundry room have a rotten egg or sulfur smell — a sign that something’s wrong. But that’s not the only way. It may be time to give your washing machine a deep clean and free it of what’s secretly growing in there. 

There are a few ways to kill mold, mildew and other gunk in your washing machine. And even better, there’s a way to keep it from coming back. Washing your clothes over and over again may not solve the smelly problem, but there are a few simple solutions that will get your clothes and washing machine smelling clean again. I’ll walk you through how prevent your washing machine from being a home for bacteria and a few steps for how to kill mold that may already be there.

Remove your wet clothes right away 

When you’re planning to throw a load of laundry in, make sure you’ll be home to remove the clothes when the timer goes off. That means don’t start the washer before going to work or to bed. Not only does this prevent mold from growing in your washer but it keeps your clean clothes from mildewing.

Leave the washer lid open when you’re done 

Mold grows in dark, moist areas, which is what your washer becomes after you’ve unloaded the clothes. Leaving the door open helps to ventilate the washer and prevent mold from growing in the first place.    

Don’t leave the washing machine damp

After you’re finished using your washing machine for the day, make sure to wipe down any part of the washer that’s damp. This includes the lid, drum, door, rubber gaskets and detergent dispenser (if your machine has that feature). Keep an old towel on hand for this purpose.  

Clean the washer seals, too

While mold contamination can happen in any washer, it’s especially common in high-efficiency (aka HE) front-loading washers. That’s why you should regularly wash the gaskets and seals around the door. The gaskets make sure water doesn’t leak out around the door and also do a good job of sealing in the moisture that can help mold grow. Make sure to dry the seals along with the rest of your washer to prevent moisture from sticking around.

Only use HE detergent powder in an HE machine

Liquid detergents can leave a residue in your washing machine, giving mold a food source. So the first thing to do to keep mold in check is to make sure you’re using a laundry detergent made specifically for your HE washer, which will produce fewer suds. (Look for the letters HE on the soap container.) Better yet, steer clear of liquid detergent and switch to powder detergent or pods. And whichever you choose, make sure you’re using only as much as you need to wash your clothes. If you use too much, your clothes may have a smell and residue.

Here’s how to fight mold that’s already in your washing machine

If you’ve got mold, here’s how to get rid of it:

1. Start by putting on gloves and grabbing an old towel that you don’t care about.

2. Mix a solution of either bleach and hot water OR vinegar and hot water. Never mix bleach and vinegar together, as it creates a chlorine gas that can be harmful to you.

3. Dip the towel in the mixture and start scrubbing away at any visible mold. Make sure to hit the detergent dispenser and around the gaskets.

4. If there’s a gasket around the door (front-load washers have them), carefully and thoroughly clean and dry it, including all the folds.

5. Run a wash cycle on the hottest setting your machine offers with a cup of bleach or vinegar. If using bleach, pour it in the compartment designated for bleach. If using vinegar, pour it in the detergent slot. If your machine has a self-clean cycle, you can use that setting. This should kill any hidden mold that you may have missed.

6. Next, use another old towel and wipe away all the moisture in your washing machine. This includes the drum, dispensers, seals and any other areas you can reach.

7. Last, leave the door to your washer open to allow air circulation to dry out any parts you missed. Doing this monthly will help prevent mold growth.

Once, you’ve cleaned your washer, it’s time to move on to the rest of your house. Start with the bathroom: Here’s a simple 1-hour science hack for degunking your showerhead — and how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.