Washing Machine Smells Musty
If your washing machine smells, your clean clothes will too. The fix is straightforward — mould in the door seal and detergent drawer responds well to a proper clean — but you need to do all three parts: the seal, the filter, and a hot drum cycle.
Why Your Machine Smells
Mould and mildew in the drum seal
Front-loadersFront-loading machines have a rubber gasket around the door that traps water, lint, and detergent residue. Mould grows inside the folds and produces the classic musty smell.
Detergent and fabric softener residue
All machinesExcess detergent that doesn't fully rinse builds up on the drum walls and inside the dispenser drawer. This residue feeds mould and bacteria over time.
Blocked drain filter
Front-loadersThe pump filter (usually behind a small panel at the front base) catches lint, coins, and debris. A blocked filter holds stagnant water that smells.
Leaving damp clothes inside
All machinesWet clothes left in the drum for more than 30–60 minutes create the warm, moist conditions mould needs. The smell transfers to the clothes.
Washing too often at low temperatures
All machinesModern eco wash cycles at 20–30°C don't kill bacteria or mould. Regular low-temp washing without periodic hot cycles allows microbial buildup.
Machine left closed between washes
Front-loaders especiallyNo airflow means moisture stays trapped in the drum. The dark, damp environment is ideal for mould growth.
Front-Loader: Cleaning Steps
Do all six steps — skipping the seal or filter while cleaning the drum will not fully fix the problem.
- 1
Clean the rubber drum seal
Pull back the rubber gasket folds all the way around. Wipe with a cloth soaked in a solution of 1 part white vinegar to 1 part warm water, or use a diluted bleach solution (1 tsp bleach in 1 litre water). Remove any visible mould, lint, or debris.
- 2
Clean the detergent drawer
Pull the drawer out completely (press the release tab if needed). Soak in hot water and scrub with a brush. Pay attention to fabric softener compartment — it develops biofilm. Rinse and replace.
- 3
Clean the drum filter
Locate the filter panel (usually bottom-front). Place a towel and a shallow tray underneath. Slowly unscrew the filter cap — water will flow out. Remove the filter, clear debris, rinse under running water, and refit.
- 4
Run a hot drum clean cycle
Set the machine to its hottest wash (60–90°C) with no clothes inside. Add either 250ml white vinegar directly to the drum, or one cup of oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate), or a commercial washing machine cleaner tablet. Run the full cycle.
- 5
Run a second rinse cycle
Run an empty rinse cycle at 60°C to flush out any remaining vinegar or bleach residue before washing clothes.
- 6
Wipe the drum dry
After the cleaning cycle completes, wipe the drum interior and the seal with a clean dry cloth to remove residual moisture.
Top-Loader: Cleaning Steps
- 1
Run a hot cycle with vinegar
Set to the highest water level and hottest temperature. Add 500ml white vinegar directly to the drum. Start the cycle and let it agitate for 1 minute, then pause and let it soak for 1 hour.
- 2
Add baking soda and complete the cycle
After the soak, add half a cup of baking soda. Resume the cycle and let it complete fully. The combination cleans and deodorises.
- 3
Clean the dispenser drawer and agitator
Wipe the dispenser, agitator fins, and the top rim of the drum with a vinegar-soaked cloth. These areas accumulate detergent residue that feeds bacteria.
- 4
Run a plain hot rinse
Run an empty hot rinse cycle to flush out any remaining residue before using the machine for laundry.
Keep It From Coming Back
Leave the door open after every wash
Even 10–15 cm of gap lets moisture escape and stops mould growing in the drum seal and interior.
Run a hot cycle monthly
One 60–90°C empty cycle per month with a cleaning tablet, oxygen bleach, or vinegar prevents buildup from becoming a problem.
Use less detergent
Most people use 2–3× the recommended amount. Excess detergent doesn't clean better — it leaves residue that feeds mould. Fill to the lower marking.
Avoid liquid fabric softener
Fabric softener coats the drum interior and dispenser drawer with a waxy film that mould thrives on. Use dryer balls instead, or dilute softener heavily.
Wipe the seal after each wash
A 10-second wipe of the front-loader rubber gasket removes water and lint before mould can establish.
Move clothes to the dryer promptly
Don't leave wet clothes sitting in a closed drum. Set a timer if you tend to forget.
FAQ
Why does my washing machine smell musty?
The most common cause is mould growing in the rubber door seal of a front-loading machine. Moisture trapped in the seal folds, plus detergent residue, creates perfect conditions for mould. Less common causes are a blocked drain filter or bacteria from always washing at low temperatures.
Can I use bleach to clean my washing machine?
Yes. A diluted bleach solution (1 tsp chlorine bleach in 1 litre water) can be used to clean the rubber seal. For a drum clean cycle, add half a cup of chlorine bleach or one cup of oxygen bleach to the drum and run at 60°C. Avoid using bleach and vinegar together — the combination produces chlorine gas.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
A drum clean cycle every 1–2 months prevents buildup from becoming a problem. Wipe the door seal weekly if possible. Clean the drain filter every 3–6 months, or immediately if you notice drainage slowing or a smell coming from the filter panel.
Why do my clothes smell after washing?
If clean-washed clothes smell musty, the washing machine itself is the source — mould spores transfer from the drum or seal to the fabric. Clean the machine first (drum seal, filter, hot cycle), then rewash the smelly items. Leaving wet clothes in the drum for more than an hour is the other common cause.
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