We all seem to be slaves to our washing machines these days, but often times we don’t pay them much attention until an unpleasant smell keeps us from wanting to enter the laundry room.
We all love a fresh load of warm, clean laundry dripping with sunshine and ocean mist scents; however, if your washer smells anything other than that, it is time to address the problem!
Washing machines can quickly become home for mould, mildew and bacteria growth, leading to troublesome odours.
But don’t fret; there are easy steps you can take to get rid of the bad smell and keep your machine running smelling like a million bucks.
My Washing Machine Smells Of Stagnant Water
Ah, the dreaded smell of stagnant water – the telltale sign you’ve got an issue with your washing machine. Poor drainage is usually the culprit behind this unpleasant odour – somehow, all that soap and suds were too much for your drainage system to handle, leaving a pool of water in your machine that’s had a chance to sit and stew.
Leading to some pretty gross consequences like mould growth, slime build-up, soap scum collecting, and bacteria multiplying. Get it all sorted out, so you don’t have to deal with that stink any longer!
Garbage:
Taking immediate action if your washer smells like sewage is crucial since the sewer gases might be dangerous.
The machine may just smell like sewage without necessarily being created by sewage. However, if the scent persists after cleaning, it most likely originates from the sewer.
Sewer gases from subterranean sewer pipes may be caught in the p-trap and enter your washing machine.
Rotten eggs:
Bacteria growing from dirt, mildew, mould, lint, or soap left in the machine is the source of the rotten egg stench. Or a gas leak, which emits an odor similar to sulphur or rotten eggs, may be to blame.
Mould or damp odor:
A heat and water accumulation in the machine that is never vented or cleaned away causes mildew and musty odours.
These unpleasant odours may develop if water collects in the appliance, the gaskets, or other crevices. The awful stench might come from anything trapped in the rubber gasket, like a damp sock.
How To Get Rid Of Stagnant Water Smell?
No one likes dealing with smelly appliances, especially when they’re as crucial as our washing machines! Luckily, you can take some simple steps to get rid of that smell and ensure your washer remains clean and odour-free. Let’s take a look at what you need to do.
Step One – Remove Soap Dispensers and Clean Them Thoroughly
The first thing you should do is remove all of the soap, bleach, and softener dispensers from the washing machine and give them a thorough scrubbing.
This will help eliminate any built-up residue in the dispensers that may contribute to the smell. Rinse them off with hot water before putting them back in place.
Step Two – Sanitize With Chlorine Bleach
Once the dispensers have been cleaned, it’s time to sanitise your stinky washing machine with chlorine bleach. Fill up your washer with hot water until it reaches about 10 cm below the drum’s top edge.
Then add about one cup of chlorine bleach into the water before running a full cycle on your machine. This will help to kill any bacteria or mould that may be causing the bad smell.
Step Three – Rinse Out Drum With Vinegar Wash
After running a service wash with chlorine bleach, rinse out your drum by running another service wash, but this time with vinegar instead of bleach.
Vinegar is excellent at eliminating odors because it helps break down any lingering smells left behind by the chlorine bleach. Pour one cup of white vinegar into your washer right before starting a full cycle on hot water again.
Step Four – Run Hot Water Service Wash
After completing steps 1-3, you should run a final hot water service wash to ensure all remaining detergent residue has been eliminated from inside your washing machine drum and hoses (if applicable).
This step will also help eliminate any remaining odours from inside the appliance itself and sanitise it for future use!
Fortunately, getting rid of that nasty odour is easy if you follow these simple steps outlined above and soon enough, your washing machine will be fresh and odour-free! So don’t wait—tackle that stale smell today!
How Can The Washing Machine’s Odour Of Stagnant Water Be Avoided?
If your washing machine is giving off a putrid, stagnant water smell that won’t dissipate, it’s time to take proactive steps to change it. Start by switching up the detergent you use for washing.
Certain kinds of detergents linger in fabric fibres and causing prevent odours, so try a different brand for size; you may be surprised by the results!
Open the door after each load of laundry and let steam from hot washes escape instead of leaving them trapped in there, offering festering bacterial grounds for unpleasant smells.
Clean out the filter every few weeks to keep fresh water cycling through. Remember to clean out any pipes attached to the machine, which can become clogged with lint or soap residue over time.
A few simple methods can have you enjoying fresh-smelling laundry again in no time!
Conclusion
Many individuals need to be aware of the need for washing machine maintenance. After all, it is frequently exposed to warm, soapy water.
However, a lot of dirt, germs, moisture buildup, and other junk may also get on it. This causes unpleasant odours.
You should remember that a foul washing machine leads to a smelly laundry room, eventually affecting the entire house.
When you open the washing machine door the following time after taking all these precautions, don’t hesitate to take a few deep breaths! You’ll smell the lovely scent of achievement instead of that horrible odour.