Washing Machine Smells bad or musty odor inside drum

A musty or bad smell coming from inside your washing machine drum is usually caused by mold, mildew, or bacteria buildup from leftover detergent residue, fabric softener, and moisture trapped in the drum and door seal. This is a very common problem, especially in front-load washers, and can almost always be fixed without any tools or replacement parts. This guide will walk you through a thorough cleaning process to eliminate the odor and keep it from coming back.

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   Step 1: Unplug the Washing Machine

   Before you begin any cleaning work, unplug the washing machine from the wall outlet. Even though this repair does not involve opening the machine or touching electrical components, it is a good safety habit to disconnect power before working on any appliance. If the plug is hard to reach, switch off the circuit breaker for the laundry room instead.

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   Step 2: Clean the Door Gasket or Drum Seal

   The rubber door gasket (the flexible seal around the door opening on front-load machines) is one of the most common places where mold and mildew hide. Pull back the folds of the gasket and inspect it closely. Mix one cup of white vinegar or a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water in a small bowl. Dip an old toothbrush or a clean cloth into the solution and scrub all around the gasket, getting deep into every fold and crevice. Wipe away all the loosened grime and mold with a dry cloth. For top-load machines, wipe around the entire inside rim of the drum opening.

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   Step 3: Clean the Detergent Dispenser Drawer

   Remove the detergent dispenser drawer completely by pressing the release tab (usually located in the center compartment) and pulling it all the way out. Rinse the drawer under hot water and scrub away any caked-on detergent or fabric softener residue with a small brush or old toothbrush. Also look inside the drawer housing slot in the machine — mold often grows on the walls inside this cavity. Wipe it out thoroughly with a cloth dampened with your vinegar or diluted bleach solution. Allow the drawer to dry before reinserting it.

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   Step 4: Run a Hot Water Cleaning Cycle with Baking Soda

   Plug the machine back in. Add one cup of baking soda directly into the drum (not the dispenser). Select the hottest water temperature setting available and the largest load size. Run a full wash cycle with no laundry in the machine. The hot water and baking soda will break down grease, detergent residue, and odor-causing bacteria throughout the inside of the drum and the internal hoses.

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   Step 5: Run a Second Cycle with White Vinegar or Bleach

   Once the baking soda cycle finishes, run a second full hot water cycle. This time, add two cups of white distilled vinegar directly into the drum, OR add one cup of liquid chlorine bleach into the bleach dispenser (not both). This second cycle disinfects the drum and kills any remaining mold spores or bacteria. Do not add any laundry detergent during this step.

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   Step 6: Clean the Drain Pump Filter

   Many front-load washers have a small access panel near the bottom front of the machine that hides the drain pump filter. This filter traps lint, coins, and debris and can become a major source of bad odors if never cleaned. Place a shallow pan or old towel on the floor in front of the panel to catch water. Open the panel, slowly unscrew the filter cap, and let the water drain into your pan. Pull the filter out completely, rinse it under hot water, and scrub off any slimy residue with a brush. Wipe the inside of the filter housing clean, then reinstall the filter and close the panel securely. Top-load machines typically do not have an accessible filter in the same location — check your owner's manual.

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   Step 7: Wipe Down the Drum Interior

   After the cleaning cycles are complete, open the washer door and wipe the entire inside of the drum with a clean dry cloth or microfiber towel. Pay extra attention to the back wall of the drum and the area around the drum holes. This removes any loosened residue that did not drain away during the cycles. Leave the door or lid open for at least one to two hours to allow the drum to air out and dry completely.

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   Step 8: Test for Remaining Odor

   Close the door, wait a few minutes, then open it and take a smell inside the drum. The musty odor should be gone or greatly reduced. If a faint smell remains, repeat the hot vinegar or bleach cycle one more time. If a strong smell persists after two full cleaning attempts, the door gasket may have deep mold growth that cannot be cleaned away, and replacement may be necessary.