Washer Smells Like Mildew: Causes and How to Fix It

A washer that smells like mildew almost always has residue and trapped moisture somewhere inside: in the front-load door seal, the dispenser, the drain pump filter, or the outer tub you cannot see. The fix is a cleaning cycle with bleach or a washer cleaner, a careful wipe-down, and changes to how much detergent you use and how the washer dries between loads. A sewer or burning smell is a different problem, covered below.

Why washers start to smell

Maytag describes mildew as a mold that grows in damp, dark places with little airflow, and a washer offers all three. The common triggers the manufacturers list are:

• Too much detergent or the wrong kind. LG and Samsung both say excess detergent leaves residue that feeds odor. Whirlpool adds that non-HE detergent creates extra suds and poor rinsing. Samsung also points to fabric softener as a source of soap scum in the outer tub.
• Wet laundry left sitting. Clothes left in the drum after the cycle can grow mildew that spreads to the washer and the next load.
• Closing the door or lid right away. Shutting a damp washer traps moisture inside.
• Only washing in cool water and skipping regular cleaning cycles, which Maytag lists as causes.
• A dirty pump filter on front-loaders, which Samsung names as an odor source.
• An unlevel washer or the wrong load size. Samsung says an unlevel washer drains poorly and leaves residue, and both overloading and underloading can add to buildup.

How to get rid of the smell

Before cleaning, unplug the washer; GE notes the power button alone does not disconnect it. If you will open the pump filter or pull the washer out, also turn off both the hot and cold supply valves.

1. Empty the washer and run a cleaning cycle. Use the Clean Washer, Tub Clean or Self Clean cycle if your model has one; otherwise Maytag suggests a Normal or Heavy cycle on hot. Use a washer cleaner tablet or liquid chlorine bleach as your manual directs. Whirlpool says not to use thickened or splash-less bleach in this cycle, and Maytag notes that some front-load models should not use bleach at all, so check your manual. Samsung says to start the cycle right away rather than let bleach sit in the washer.
2. Repeat for heavy odor. LG suggests running three tub clean cycles back to back for a strong smell, then at least once a week until it is gone. Follow the label on any cleaner and never combine cleaning products in the same cycle.
3. Run a rinse and spin to clear leftover cleaner.
4. Clean the dispenser. Remove the drawer if your manual allows, wash it in warm, soapy water and let it dry.
5. Wipe the door seal or lid opening. On a front-loader, pull back the folds of the rubber door seal and wipe out residue and debris. On a top-loader, wipe the lid and opening; if you have an agitator with a removable cap, Maytag says to clean inside it too.
6. Clean the drain pump filter (front-load). It usually sits behind a small panel at the bottom front, or behind the base drawer on some Whirlpool models. Put a shallow pan and towels underneath, drain the residual water through the small hose if there is one, unscrew the filter, clear lint and debris, and rinse it.
7. Leave it open to dry. Prop the door or lid open, and leave the detergent drawer open too, as Samsung recommends.

Front-load vs. top-load

Whirlpool says top-load washers may be less likely to develop mildew odors. Front-loaders have a rubber door seal that holds water and lint in its folds, and many have a pump filter you clean yourself, so they need more routine attention. Top-loaders still build up residue under the basket and on agitator parts. Cleaning cycle length varies too; Samsung's Self Clean runs about one hour on its top-loaders and about four hours on its front-loaders. Our article on front-load vs top-load washer problems compares the two in more detail.

Sewer, rotten-egg or burning smells

A sewer or sulfur smell often comes from the drain, not the tub. Samsung says a drain hose pushed too deep into the standpipe can draw dirty water back into the washer. Whirlpool's installation instructions limit the hose to no more than 8 inches inside the standpipe, and Samsung's guidance is similar. Pull the hose back to the depth your manual gives and secure it. If the smell comes from the standpipe itself, a plumber should check the drain.

A burning smell needs attention right away. Samsung says a faint odor in the first couple of cycles of a new washer is normal. After that, stop the washer, unplug it and have it checked. A lasting burning smell can point to a motor or electrical problem, which is not safe to ignore.

When a technician is needed

Call a pro if the smell keeps coming back after several cleaning cycles, if the pump filter is stuck or the pump is noisy, if the door seal is torn or has mold under its folds that will not wipe out, or if you smell burning. LG notes that severe mildew that survives a heavy-duty cleaner may need a repair shop to take the washer apart and clean it. A technician can inspect the outer tub and hoses, clean or replace the pump, and replace a door boot that cannot be cleaned.

Find one in our washing machine repair directory, search by state, or start with cities like Los Angeles or Miami. If you have a specific brand, our LG and Samsung washer repair pages list local companies.

What it costs

Most odor problems cost nothing but a cleaner and some time. When a part is involved, Fixr's published cost guide gives these typical ranges:

See our full guide to washing machine repair cost for other parts.

Keep the smell from coming back

• Run a cleaning cycle monthly. Whirlpool recommends it every month, and Samsung suggests about once a month or every 30 to 40 loads.
• Use HE detergent, measure it, and keep each dispenser compartment below its max line, as Electrolux advises.
• Move clothes to the dryer as soon as the cycle ends.
• Leave the door or lid open between loads.
• Wipe the front-load door seal and clean the pump filter regularly. A clogged filter can also cause a leak at the bottom of the washer.