Why Does My Washing Machine Smell? Fixes by Type of Smell
The kind of smell tells you where to look. A musty washer needs cleaning; a sewer smell is a drain problem; a burning smell means stop the machine now.
Quick answer
A musty or mildew smell comes from mold and detergent residue in the door gasket, dispenser drawer and drain filter, especially in front-loaders kept closed between washes. A sewer smell usually means a drain or trap problem behind the washer. Rotten eggs can be bacteria in the drain or sulfur in the water. A burning smell means unplug it and get it inspected.
- Difficulty
- Easy DIY
- Most common smell
- Musty mildew in front-loaders
- Where it hides
- Door gasket, dispenser, drain filter
- Prevention
- Leave the door and drawer open to dry
- Stop immediately if
- You smell burning or gas
On this page
Washing machines live in a cycle of warmth, moisture, soap and lint, which is exactly what mold and bacteria need. The smell is a clue to where they have settled, or to a problem outside the washer entirely.
Match the smell to the cause
| Smell | Most likely cause | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| Musty, mildew, damp towel | Mold and biofilm from detergent and fabric softener residue | Door gasket folds, dispenser drawer, drain pump filter |
| Rotten eggs (sulfur) | Bacteria in the drain or washer, or sulfur in the water supply | Drain standpipe; check whether hot taps elsewhere smell too |
| Sewage | Sewer gas from the drain behind the washer | Drain standpipe trap; a washer that sat unused |
| Burning or hot rubber | Slipping belt, motor overheating, electrical fault | Stop using it and unplug it |
| Gas | Not the washer | Leave the house and call the gas utility |
Burning smell: unplug the washer. A burning odor can come from a failing motor, a belt or wiring. Do not run another load until a technician has checked it.
How to clean a musty washer
- Wipe the door gasket.Safe check
On front-loaders, pull back the rubber folds and wipe out the grime, hair and black spots with warm water and a little detergent or a diluted cleaner your manual approves. Dry it afterward.
- Clean the dispenser drawer.Safe check
Most drawers pull all the way out with a release tab. Scrub the slime from the drawer and the cavity behind it with an old toothbrush.
- Empty the drain pump filter.Take care
Front-loaders usually have a small door at the bottom front. Put towels and a shallow tray down first; water will come out. Remove lint, coins and debris, then screw the filter back in firmly.
- Run a cleaning cycle.Safe check
Use the Clean Washer or Tub Clean cycle with a washer cleaner tablet, or the product your manual recommends. Use one cleaner at a time and never combine bleach with vinegar.
- Leave it open to dry.Safe check
Prop the door and the dispenser drawer open between loads so the inside dries out.
Rotten egg and sewer smells
If only the washer smells of sewage, look at the drain behind it. The washer hose empties into a standpipe that should have a U-shaped trap holding water to block sewer gas. A trap that has dried out from disuse, a missing trap, or a hose pushed too far down the standpipe can let gas back up. Running a load refills a dry trap. Persistent sewer smells, gurgling drains or slow drainage elsewhere in the house point to a venting or drain problem for a plumber.
A rotten egg smell that also comes from hot water at sinks and showers is usually not the washer at all. It can come from the water heater’s anode rod reacting with sulfate in the water, or from sulfur in well water. Compare the cold and hot taps to narrow it down.
Stop it from coming back
- Use the right detergent and the right amount. High-efficiency (HE) machines need HE detergent, and more is not better: excess soap leaves the residue mold feeds on.
- Go easy on liquid fabric softener, which coats the drum and gasket.
- Move wet laundry to the dryer promptly.
- Run a hot wash or cleaning cycle monthly.
- Keep the laundry room ventilated; a damp room keeps the washer damp. See what humidity your house should be.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use vinegar and bleach together to clean my washer?
No. Never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia: the combination releases toxic chlorine gas. Use one cleaner per cleaning cycle, following your washer’s manual, and run a rinse cycle in between if you use both on different days.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Most manufacturers recommend a cleaning cycle about once a month, or after a set number of washes on models with a reminder light. Wipe the door gasket weekly if you see residue.
Why do my clean clothes smell musty?
Either the washer is contaminated with mildew, or the clothes sat wet too long before drying. Clean the washer, move loads to the dryer promptly, and avoid using too much detergent.
Do top-loaders get smelly too?
Less often, because their lids are usually left open and they have no door gasket. Residue still builds up under the rim and around the agitator, and a monthly hot cleaning cycle helps.
Sources
- How to Fix a Washer That Smells Like Mildew Maytag
- If my washing machine has a bad odor, what can I do? Samsung
- Cleaning and Disinfecting with Bleach: never mix bleach with ammonia or acids U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
First published October 6, 2026. Last reviewed October 6, 2026. Spot an error? Tell us and we will check it against the source.