+23 votes
by (680 points)
Everytime I open my washing machine door I get a horrible smell of damp. I've cleaned the filter and done a cycle of bicarb and white vinegar but the smell doesn't seem to go. Any ideas?  
Everytime I open my washing machine door I get a horrible smell of damp.

19 Answers

+8 votes
by (670 points)
 
Best answer
Leave the door open between uses so it can air dry inside and you won't get the smell x
by (680 points)
@pennywise will try that! I do notice left over water in the seals as I always close the door x
by (670 points)
@pennywise Exactly what I do and never had a problem with smells from the washing machine  
+8 votes
by (380 points)
Do you leave the door open as if it's closed that's where the smell comes from
+2 votes
by (570 points)
I always throw washing soda in the drawer when washing and have never had a problem
+5 votes
by (660 points)
Clean the drawer, seals and door. Run Calgon through a wash as well. Get the Dettol washing machine cleaner. There's a blue washing machine cleaner in Savers that is amazing! Can't mind the name though xx
by (680 points)
@ma67537 I cleaned the draw and seals not long ago, there's mould marks where it has stained. I've got the dettol washing machine cleaner actually. I'll give that a go xx
by (660 points)
@parmenides8 if you live in a hard water area then definitely buy Calgon xx
+19 votes
by (480 points)
Try the waste water pipe at the back. Ours was full of residue that caused the musty smell x
+13 votes
by (7.6k points)
Put soda crystals, white vinegar & disinfected down ur plug hole, might b coming from the sink into the machine
by (680 points)
@john80 I do bicarb and whire vinegar down the plugs holes weekly
+1 vote
by (300 points)
I just cleaned mine with bleach. It has a tub clean cycle that I ran. I also leave the door open when not in use.  
by (680 points)
@doyle80 think I'll start leaving the door open!  
+6 votes
by (360 points)
Leave door open after using to air it out
+4 votes
by (12.6k points)
Have you checked inside the door seal ? X
by (160 points)
@parmenides8 honestly works better than mould remover ect, I was having problems with my old washer and the guy I spoke to said to use bleach it's the best thing for it. Xxx
by (160 points)
@parmenides8 and your welcome x
by (6.2k points)
@aleenaleetha I put a scoop of soda crystals in every wash, and, if seal is grubby, put some directly on the seal it will clean no bother with less chance of causing perishing as people seem to say that bleach does. You will see a difference in your clothes they will be cleaner and brighter.  
by (12.6k points)
@inclinatory I’ve never had a problem hun tbh I just use powder and softener but I’ve heard soda crystals are good xx
by (6.2k points)
Sorry, I may have replied to the wrong person. x
+1 vote
by (4k points)
Are you putting it on a 90° cycle when you clean it?  
by (680 points)
@aerophobia I normally just do a class 40° for everything which takes over 2 hours! I normally put a tablet in the drum and softener in the draw. So I could just use the synthetics for everything? Just a 60 for bedding and towels and 40 for clothes?  
by (1.4k points)
@parmenides8 yep it’s much quicker but still a proper wash  I actually do my towels at 90 as it keeps them really soft and keeps the washer really clean so means it never really needs cleaning out but I think that might be a really long wash on yours
by (680 points)
@aerophobia ah okay thank you!  
by (4k points)
@aerophobia that’s what I do too. It’s a good 3 hours + on my machine but I like the machine to get (near) boiling water circulating. Especially after I’ve washed dog beds or something.  
by (1.4k points)
Majella O Rourke makes them last longer as well cause build ups can rot the drum and block the drain  
+18 votes
by (5.5k points)
At the bottom of the grey rubber there are 3 little holes they get blocked with soap powder , just get a hair pin or something small to in block them this will stop water collecting in the grey rubber seal and the smell should stop , let me know how u get on .  
+7 votes
by (390 points)
Mine is the same still and I have done everything, I clean the draw, the back, empty wash with bleach. So annoying and I can’t smell the softer like I used to.  
by (680 points)
@styrax luckily my clothes do smell nice. Its just when I open the door
by (390 points)
@parmenides8 ahhh maybe is the sink then hun, used some bleach maybe. X
+4 votes
by (300 points)
I’ve heard that if you use bleach on the rubber door seal it perishes it?  
by (300 points)
@bladdernose582 Soaking rubber in bleach, like in a toilet tank, will degrade it. Wiping it down, will not.  
+4 votes
by (1.3k points)
I switched from liquid to power and my smell stopped
+20 votes
by (380 points)
I had this problem and tried many of the things said on here but nothing worked. I swapped washing liquid to washing powder and no more smelly washing machine.  
+18 votes
by (7.6k points)
I always used powder, swapped to liquid & the smell from the machine was disgusting so had to swap back to powder! No more smell!  
+3 votes
by (680 points)
Have used the Dettol washing machine cleaner and after it over flowing out the draw! There is no longer the musty smell, fingers crossed it stays that way  
+22 votes
by (380 points)
As above, leave the door and drawer open slightly.  
+4 votes
by (410 points)
Could be your waste pipe, either under the sink or even the drain outside, also clean your filter, drawer seals etc
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