Category Archives: How To Get Rid of Washer Odor

Advice and Tips to remove smell from washing machines and stinky laundry!

3 Secrets For Removing Mildew Odors From Towels

Posted on by
1

Nothing’s worse than a lingering mildew odor in your linen closet when your towels are supposed to be “spring fresh.” But don’t despair.  If your towels are smelly, here are a few simple secrets that will help break the mildew cycle and prevent it from returning. If nothing else works we’ve created all natural Smelly Cleaners to remove odor from your clothes washer, dishwasher and laundry forever!

 

The Baking Soda Trick

OK, what doesn’t baking soda do? It’s in our toothpaste, it’s in our cat litter, it’s in our laundry detergent, and there’s probably even a box in your fridge to help neutralize odors. Notice a trend?

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a chemical compound with alkaline properties which make it a great neutralizer and proven odor remover. Baking soda is used in cooking, cleaning, and even is the main ingredient in many antacids. Because of these properties and its gentle nature, it can be safely used in every load of laundry you do.

If your towels are smelly, try using ½ cup of baking soda in your next load. This amount can safely be used in every load of towels and even regular clothing. For a more powerful odor-fighting combination, use baking soda and very hot water.

High Heat

We know that heat kills bacteria. That’s why we cook meat and pasteurize milk. So it makes sense that high temperatures would also be effective at eliminating and preventing mildew in your washing machine.

Most washing machines come with specific cycles that use hot water such as “sanitary” or “whitest whites.” Unfortunately, it’s simply not realistic to wash all of your clothing in hot water because it can cause damage and shrinkage. Fortunately, most towels are made of 100% cotton which allows them to be washed in hot water, for the specific reason of sanitizing them.

To use these hot cycles effectively, take the extra time and do the extra load; wash your towels separate from the rest of your clothes. These high heat cycles can also be used in between load of towels to simply clean your washing machine. For an extra boost, use a washer cleaner.

A Clean Washer = Clean Clothes

Clean, fresh towels start with a  clean washing machine.  Lingering mildew in the washer can work its way into clothes during a wash to make it smell.

To combat mildew in your washing machine, use a washer cleaner such as Smelly Washer. The natural ingredients safely and effectively eliminate odor, fungus and mildew from your washing machine. A washer cleaner can be used whenever odor is noticed. Use Smelly Washer with no clothes or towels in the load, and use the highest temperature or cleaning cycle on your washing machine.  If odor persists, add a cap to a full load of laundry and wash in order clean the splash area above the normal washing waterline and the entire inside of the outer, plastic tub.

Washer cleaners are powerful tools against the war on smelly towels. Use a washer cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, regularly to help prevent mildew from growing in the first place. In between cleanings, keep your towels fresh with baking soda and hot water.

3 Surprising Culprits That Are Making Your Washing Machine Stinky

Posted on by
2

We’ve all experienced it. You get out of the shower and grab a fresh towel or pull a clean shirt over your head, only to smell mildew. But don’t blame your clothes… the smell is actually coming from your washing machine. If your washing machine is stinky there are several possible causes.

Residual Water

Washing machines are made to hold, cycle, and drain water, so this one may seem a bit odd. But water trapped in the rubber door gasket or detergent drawer of a front loader, or under the rim of a top loader, can be a breeding ground for washing machine mold.

Mold is a living organism. It needs food and warm, damp conditions to thrive, making your average washing machine an ideal playground.

To prevent washing machine mold caused by residual water, simply leave the door or lid ajar after you’re done using the washer. Also keep a clean hand towel in the laundry room and wipe around the door, inside the rubber gasket, and inside the detergent drawer of a front loader. On a top loader, wipe under the rim and agitator. Do this every time to prevent washing machine mold.

Detergent Mistakes

Using too much powdered or liquid detergent can cause several problems which can lead to washing machine mold. Too much detergent can cause excess suds — and these leftover suds create a cozy place for mold to grow.

This problem may be compounded in a front load washer. Because these machines are high efficiency, they use less water and therefore require a smaller amount of a special high efficiency (HE) detergent.

The solution is easy. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for detergent and measure carefully.

Dirty Drain Pump Filter

If your washing machine is stinky and residual water and detergent mistakes aren’t the culprit, the problem may be out of sight. When a washing machine drains, it takes with it soap, dirt, lint and even skin and hair. Over time, these items can get trapped and collect in the drain pipe. So it is important to clean the drain pump filter every so often to prevent washing machine mold.

The drain is located on the lower, front panel of both front and top loader washing machines. Some, especially front loaders, are very easy to access via a flap or panel. Others are hidden behind a panel that must be removed first.

After locating the drain, have a bucket and towel ready when you unscrew it. After draining the water, the filter can be removed and cleaned. You will immediately see why your washing machine is stinky. Most washing machine manufacturers recommend cleaning out the drain filter once per month.

If your washing machine is stinky, consider these three surprising culprit. With proper care and maintenance, you can easily eliminate washing machine mold.

How To Clean A Washing Machine That Stinks

Posted on by
2

If your washing machine stinks, don’t worry, you’re not alone. Washer mildew and odors are one of the most common complaints amongst homeowners. However, it is possible to alleviate the smell through a few simple steps.

Identify Why Your Washing Machine Stinks

Most of the time, a musty or mildew smell in or around your washer (or on your clothes!) is indicative of mold growing in your washing machine. Mold is a living organism that, in addition to a food source, needs warm, damp conditions to thrive.



SW=Smelly Washer ST=Smelly Towel
Flat Ship Fee $5 / For Discounts Click the Drop-Down arrow




There are several things that may cause mildew to grow in your washer including residual water, misuse of detergent and fabric softener, and bad laundry habits in general. Lint, dirt, soap and even skin and hair can also accumulate in the drain pump filter or under the agitator. And this constantly wet, decaying matter (aka “gunk”) can really start to stink over time.

Clean Under The Agitator Or Drain Pump Filter

If your washing machine stinks, this is one of the less obvious culprits. It requires a tad bit more work than throwing some bleach or washing machine cleaner into the clean cycle, but it can effectively eliminate the “gunk” at the root cause of the stench.

Typically, your washing machine’s instruction manual will tell you how, and how often, to clean under the agitator or the drain pump filter. Top and front loaders are different in the way they operate and drain, so there are different methods for both.

For a top loader, you’ll need to remove the agitator to get to the “gunk.” Usually, there is a top that can be popped off to expose a bolt in the agitator. Removing the bolt allows the agitator to be lifted up out of the washer. Once removed, clean in, under and around the agitator with a hot water and bleach solution.

A front loader washer does not always drain completely so they typically have a panel on the bottom, either exposed or hidden, that contains the drain pump filter. Removing the panel will expose a drain. Make sure you have a bucket and a towel handy as some water will come out when the drain is released. Once the water is drained, the filter can be removed and the “gunk” cleaned out. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning the filter once a month.

Use a Washing Machine Cleaner

A washing machine cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, uses natural ingredients to remove odor, fungus and mildew from your washer. If your washing machine stinks, simply follow the instructions and add some washing machine cleaner to its cleaning, or hottest, cycle. For tougher odors, repeat the process. Use a washing machine cleaner up to twice a month to prevent mildew from returning.

Washer mildew is not the end of the world. With a little elbow grease and a quality washing machine cleaner, your smelly washer will be a distant memory.