The washing machine stinks and the laundry smells bad? This is a sure sign that you should clean the washing machine. This is the only way to safely remove unpleasant odors. Luckily that isCleaning the washing machinenot particularly complicated and you don't need to call a professional. With a few home remedies you can reliably remove germs from the drum and hoses.
The washing machine stinks: What are the possible causes of unpleasant smells?
There are several possible reasons why the washing machine stinks and, accordingly, several ways you can prevent unpleasant smells in the future. Possible causes are:
- You are using too much washing powder. Ideally, excess water will evaporate in the washing machine. However, soapy water evaporates much more slowly than tap water and provides the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and fungi.
- You wash at low temperature. If you only wash your laundry at 30 degrees, you should clean the washing machine more often. Germs get into the drum with clothing. High temperatures kill these germs. A wash cycle at 90 degrees can even prevent the machine from becoming calcified.
- If the laundry smells really unpleasant, check the rubber seals or the washing machine's dispenser compartment for mold. Mold usually forms when you close the washing machine immediately after washing. Leaving the door open overnight will allow the water to evaporate and dry the rubber seals.
These home remedies help against odors
There areseveral home remedies, which help against germs and unpleasant odors. Below we list them and explain how you can clean your washing machine. As long as the manufacturer does not advise against it, you can use these home remedies, among others:
Baking powder:
Fill a clean container with 10 tablespoons of water, add a pack of baking soda (40 - 50 grams should be enough) and stir the whole thing. Pour half of the mixture into the washing drum and the other half into the detergent compartment. Start a wash cycle at 90 degrees Celsius without laundry.
Dishwasher tablets:
DieDishwasher tablets are true all-round talentsand can remove unpleasant odors from the washing machine and even dissolve limescale. Place two tabs in the drum and start a wash cycle at 90 degrees Celsius. Then start a rinse cycle.
Baking soda:
Proceed similarly to the baking soda and vinegar mixture. Pour 20 grams into the dosing compartment of the washing machine and add another 20 grams to the drum. Then let the washing machine run empty at 90 degrees Celsius. Then start another rinse cycle, also without laundry.
Apple cider vinegar or vinegar essence for the dosing compartment:
For heavily soiled dosing compartments: Fill a clean container with 1 liter of water and add several shots of apple cider vinegar. Take out the detergent compartment and place it in the container. Leave it there for 15 minutes and then clean it with a clean sponge. The bottle brush is ideal for hard-to-reach places.
Citric acid:
Add 40 ml of citric acid to the washing drum and another 20 ml to the dosing compartment. Start a wash cycle at 90 degrees and then leave the washing machine door open overnight.
For the rubber seal, use either a solution of citric acid and water or a soft dish soap.
Tips for cleaning:
- Wear rubber gloves
- only start empty wash cycles
- Before cleaning the rubber seal, unplug the washing machine.
The washing machine stinks: prevention
With the following tips you can prevent the development of unpleasant smells.
- Clean the washing machine regularly. Depending on how often it is used, you should clean it thoroughly four to five times a year.
- Start a wash cycle at 90 degrees every two weeks or run the washing machine at 60 degrees several times a month.
- Carefully dose the detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions. Don't use too much detergent.
- Clean the dosing compartment at least once a month.
- Leave the washing machine door open to allow excess water to evaporate.
The washing machine smells after cleaning, what to do?
Should the washing machineafter cleaningstill stink, then you should also clean the lint filter. For this purpose you will need a shallow container and several kitchen towels. Read the instruction manual first and follow the manufacturer's instructions to open the flap and drain the water from the hose. Only then can you carefully remove the lint filter. The best way to clean it is in the shower, using a little detergent under running water. Then wipe down any areas in the hose that you can reach with a cleaning rag.
