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How To Fix A Smelly Washing Machine

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How To Fix A Smelly Washing Machine

How would you feel if one day you’re happily going about your household chores, ready to take out the first load out of the washer for folding but immediately gets hit with a musky odour as soon as you open the machine? Well, if you’re here reading this article, then you probably already know the feeling. It’s disgusting.

There are several reasons why your clothes get smelly after washing. Take a closer look at these causes and how you can deal with them before seeking professional washing machine repairs in Adelaide.

Why Does Your Washing Machine Smell Bad?

Your washer may be the primary cause of clothes that smell even after washing them. Here are some of the most common reasons why a washing machine may give unpleasant odours:

  • Hard Water

Limescale build-up is caused by hard water. This may cause blockages in your washing machine, resulting in the accumulation of soap scum. Find out whether there is hard water where you live and although you can’t really do anything about it, you could run an empty cleaning cycle using hot water to deal with the limescale.

  • Bacteria Build-up

Piled up soap scum in your washing machine makes the perfect environment for bacteria, which is often the source of bad smell. Watch out and regularly clean your washer drum, rubber door seal and detergent drawer compartments to prevent bacteria from building up.

DIY Smelly Washing Machine Fix

As long as there is no serious damage yet to your washer’s parts or systems, you can clean and get rid of the bad smell yourself. Here are some fixes you can do by yourself:

Supplies Needed:

  • 2 cups white vinegar or fresh lemon juice
  • 4 tbs baking soda
  • 1/4 cup water

Cleaning Process:

Option 1

  • Combine baking soda with water and add to the laundry compartment.
  • Pour the vinegar/lemon juice into the washing drum.
  • Start empty warm water cycle.
  • Leave the door open when finished so the drum can fully dry.

Option 2

  • Pour 2 cups of fresh lemon juice into the washing machine drum.
  • Launch empty warm water cycle for proper disinfection.
  • Leave the washer to dry.

The combination of vinegar and baking soda helps break up all dirt build-ups and efficiently remove the bad smell. White vinegar or fresh lemon juice, on the other hand, works well for getting rid of mould in your washer.

Regular maintenance is the key to keep your washing machine odour-free. Depending on usage, make it a habit to launch a cleaning cycle at least every two to three weeks. If these DIY cleaning processes don’t work, get in touch with reliable technicians right away.

Better yet, look no further than First Choice Washing Machine Repairs. We provide same-day washer repairs in Adelaide, as well as dryer repairs in Adelaide. Reach out to us by filling out this form.