Why does my top-load washer smell bad?

Top-loading washing machines can accumulate a laundry detergent residue overtime and collect standing water because they fail to drain all the rinse water from the washing machine’s drum. These conditions can result in a musty smell that is due to the growth of mildew or mold.

How do you deodorize a top-load washer?

For top-loading machines, fill your machine with hot water first and then add the vinegar. Run your machine one more time, laundry-free, with just hot water for a complete rinse. While you’re at it, wipe down the lid, knobs, dispensers and rim of your washing machine. Give it a good cleaning inside and out.

How do you get the musty smell out of a top loading washing machine?

Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum, then run a normal cycle at high heatwithout any clothes, of course. The baking soda and vinegar should break up any residue stuck to your drum and kill any mold that might be present. They’ll also help remove any foul odors.

How do I get the mildew smell out of my top load washer?

1. Saturate a white cloth with bleach and wipe it across all of the surface mold that you see inside your top-load washing machine.
2. Set the washer’s water temperature to the hottest setting and fill the drum with hot water.
3. Pour 1 to 2 cups of bleach into the water. …
4. Run your washing machine through a complete cycle.

Why does my washer smell like mildew?

That musty smell is most often the result of mould hiding somewhere in your machine, usually from one of two reasons: – Over-using detergent: Ideally, leftover water in your machine will evaporate, but if you use too much detergent, the water will be soapier, meaning it hangs out longer and encourages mould.

Is vinegar bad for the washing machine?

Just as it does in a dishwasher, vinegar can harm rubber parts inside a washing machine, eventually leading to leaks. For this reason, avoid using vinegar in your washing machine too frequently. Fortunately, other products are more effective and better at removing stubborn stains.

How much baking soda do I put in my washing machine?

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash when you add your regular liquid detergent. Baking soda will give you sharper whites, brighter brights, and odor-free clothing.

How do I deep clean my top load washing machine?

Take some Chlorine-bleach, pour 1 quart into the water filled washer, and then let it agitate for 1 minute. Afterwards, just let it sit for one hour so it can soak. Finally, run the longest cycle you can from your washing machine settings without adding any detergent. One more time!

Do top load washers get mold?

If you don’t like cleaning your washer after every use or running cleaning cycles once a month, maybe you should consider a top-loader. Since leftover moisture can just easily evaporate through the unsealed top-door, top-loading washers rarely end up stinking or growing mold or mildew.

How do I fix a smelly washing machine?

Smelly Front Load Washer

1. Gather Materials. All you need is some good ol’ baking soda and vinegar.
2. Bring on the Baking Soda. Mix cup of baking soda with cup of water. …
3. Toss-in Some Vinegar. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the washer where you load the clothes.
4. Run a Cycle. …
5. Scrub.

How do you clean mold out of a top loading washing machine?

Fill the washer drum with hot water, add 1 quart of bleach, and let it soak for about an hour to eliminate mold and mildew. After an hour, run a complete hot water wash cycle.

Does baking soda damage washing machine?

Baking soda acts as a natural brightener and deodorizer. If you have particularly smelly clothes, using a full cup of baking soda will not harm your washer. You’ll get better results if you allow the clothes to soak in the baking soda and water for at least 30 minutes before completing the wash cycle.

Where do you put vinegar in a washing machine?

For softening your clothes, add the vinegar to your fabric softener dispenser. To fight mild odors, add it directly to the washing machine basin during the rinse cycle, or use it in place of regular detergent and add it again during the rinse cycle if you need to remove really strong odors.

Does white vinegar damage washing machines?

Washing Machines Vinegar is sometimes used as a fabric softener or for getting rid of stains and odors in laundry. But as with dishwashers, it can damage the rubber seals and hoses in some washing machines to the point of causing leaks.

Can I mix vinegar and baking soda in washing machine?

Vinegar and baking soda are the two best agents you can use to clean your washing machine. … One way is to mix 2 cups of vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda and water each, then pour the mixture into the detergent cache of your washing machine. Simply run a cycle at the highest temperature.

How do you deodorize a washing machine with baking soda?

Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda directly into the drum of the washing machine and run it on the same settings (highest and hottest). Spritz your vinegar onto a microfiber cloth and clean the outside and inside of the door until it shines.

Where do you put baking soda in a washing machine?

Don’t put baking soda in your washer’s detergent dispenser, however. Instead, sprinkle it into the empty drum of your washer, then add clothes and whatever detergent and fabric softeners you’d normally use.