One day you open your washing machine, and whoa! What is that funky smell? There are alot of reasons why the inside of the machine smells bad. It could be you’re using too much laundry detergent, using cold water all the time, or even that the washer isn’t level. There are so many possibilities that it can be difficult to determine the exact problem. What you can do is, follow these tips. They’ll help keep your washing machine smelling fresh and clean.
1. Make Sure Your Washing Machine is Level
If the machine is leaning to one side, especially towards the front, water that was supposed to drain out can be left inside. This stagnant water can produce odor-causing mold and mildew. To avoid this problem, place a level on top of the machine. Check the levelness from side-to-side and from front-to-back. Adjust the feet as needed.
2. Don’t Overload Your Machine
It can be tempting to stuff those last two shirts from the hamper into the washing machine so the laundry is completely done. But if you overcrowd the machine, it can’t spin dry properly, and water will be left in the tub. A telltale sign of overcrowding is, the laundry is wet instead of damp when the washer is done. Also, remove each load of laundry promptly when the washing machine stops. Damp laundry left in the washer for an extended period of time can create smelly mold and mildew.
3. Using Only Cold Water Can Create Washing Machine Odors
Cold water washes are energy-efficient, but the cooler temperature doesn’t dissolve laundry detergent as well as hot water does. Therefore, using cold water constantly in your washing machine can leave detergent residue. To help keep your washing machine free from odors, run a load through using hot water at least once a week.
If you don’t like to wash your laundry in hot water, you can run your washing machine empty. After the tub fills, pour 2 cups of white distilled vinegar into the hot water. Run your machine through a regular wash. The combination of hot water and vinegar will dissolve laundry detergent residue and help eliminate odors.
Resources
http://www.tide.com/en-US/product/tide-washing-machine-cleaner.jspx
http://ars.samsung.com/customer/usa/jsp/faqs/faqs_view_us.jsp?SITE_ID=1&PG_ID=0&AT_ID=136067&PROD_SUB_ID=0&PROD_ID=864
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/product-reviews/research-institute/how-to-clean-a-washing-machine