How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine and Keep It Odor-Free Because your washer should smell as clean as your clothes. Close Credit: SeventyFour / Getty Images Soap scum, fabric softener residue, and trapped moisture create the perfect environment for mildew and odor-causing bacteria to take hold in your washing machine—and those stinky smells can transfer to your laundry, too. The good news is that with the right approach, restoring your machine's cleanliness and keeping it fresh is easier than you think. A smelly washing machine can be surprisingly easy to fix once you know where to look and how to clean it properly. Following a few simple steps will tackle the odor at its source and help prevent it from coming back. Stephanie Phillips, owner of Phillips Commercial and Residential Cleaning 12 Surprising Things You Can Wash in the Washing Machine, From Sneakers to Yoga Mats First, Identify the Source of the Smell Before you get started, determine where the odor originates. In front-loading machines, moisture and detergent buildup usually occur in the rubber door gasket. Meanwhile, top-loaders typically accumulate grime around the drum or under the lid. "A quick sniff around the gasket, detergent drawer, and drum usually tells you where the odor is strongest," says cleaning professional Stephanie Phillips. "That’s your starting point for a proper clean." Run a Hot Cleaning Cycle Credit: Vladislav Stepanov / Getty Images Most washers have a self-clean or tub-clean cycle. Use it with the hottest water setting and no laundry inside. Add either two cups of white vinegar OR a half cup of bleach (never both at the same time!) to the detergent tray. "Hot water alone helps, but vinegar or bleach is key for killing bacteria and breaking down detergent buildup," Phillips explains. If your machine doesn’t have a cleaning cycle, run a normal hot cycle instead. Common Cleaning Products That Are Dangerous to Combine Scrub the Gasket and Dispenser For front-loaders, pull back the rubber door seal and wipe out any grime, lint, or mildew using a solution of equal parts vinegar and water or a mild bleach solution. Remove the detergent drawer and scrub it thoroughly with warm, soapy water before replacing it. According to Phillips, the gasket is often the culprit in front-loaders. “Don’t skip this step. It’s where odors hide,” she warns. Wipe the Drum and Door Credit: Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images After the cleaning cycle wraps up, wipe the inside of the drum and door dry with a clean microfiber cloth. Don't forget to clean the inside of the lid or glass door, where detergent residue can collect. "Drying the drum and door immediately prevents moisture from lingering, which is a big factor in musty smells," Phillips adds. Clean the Filter and Drain Pump If your washer has a drain filter, check your owner’s manual for its location and instructions. Removing lint, coins, and debris from the filter helps prevent odor and improve performance. How to Clean Your Washing Machine's Lint Trap (and Why It's So Important) Leave It Open to Air Out Credit: Damian Lugowski / Getty Images The simplest way to prevent smells is to keep the door or lid open between loads. Allowing air to circulate helps moisture evaporate and prevents mildew growth. "Even just a few hours of airflow can make a big difference in keeping your washer smelling fresh," Phillips says. Keep It Fresh Between Deep Cleans "I actually like the commercial washing machine cleaners like Affresh or Tide Washing Machine Cleaner for this," says Phillips. "I tell my clients to keep a package on hand and run one through once a month or so between my seasonal deep cleans." Additionally, using the right amount of detergent can minimize residue and mold buildup. It’s best practice to wipe the gasket and drum dry after each load and also avoid letting wet laundry sit in the drum for long periods. "Routine maintenance is the key," Phillips notes. "A few minutes each week keeps odors away and prolongs the life of your machine." Explore more: Cleaning & Organizing Laundry & Linens