Front-Load Washer Smells? How to Get Rid of the Odor for Good

A musty, mildewy smell in a front-load washer almost always comes from the same place: moisture and detergent residue trapped inside a machine that seals tightly. The fix is a one-time deep clean followed by a few habits that keep the drum dry. Here is the process, based on Whirlpool, LG, and ENERGY STAR guidance.

Why front-load washers smell

Front-load doors are designed to make a watertight seal. LG explains that keeping the door closed between washes traps moisture and detergent residue, which creates an environment for odor-causing microbes. The usual contributors:

• Laundry left in the drum after the cycle ends. Whirlpool notes wet clothes left in the washer can lead to mildew in both the clothes and the machine.
• A closed door and detergent drawer between loads.
• Too much detergent or fabric softener, or non-HE detergent. Whirlpool says overdosing speeds up residue buildup that can cause odor.
• Only cold-water washes. Whirlpool recommends using warm or hot settings sometimes, because they better control residue buildup.

Top-load washers can smell for the same reasons, and the same steps apply. Leave the lid open between loads.

Step 1: Run the cleaning cycle

Most washers have a Clean Washer, Tub Clean, or similar cycle. Run it with the drum empty.

• Whirlpool recommends running Clean Washer at least monthly or every 30 wash cycles, using an affresh washer cleaner tablet placed in the drum (not the dispenser) or, as an alternative, 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach. Do not use thickened, easy-pour, or no-splash bleach, and do not add detergent. Afterward, run a Rinse & Spin cycle.
• LG recommends Tub Clean with an oxygen-based drum cleaner one to two times a month, and warns that chlorine bleach or acidic cleaners can discolor or corrode the inside of the machine.

The brands disagree on bleach, so use the cleaner your owner’s manual specifies. When the cycle ends, leave the door open so the drum dries.

Step 2: Clean the door seal

The rubber door seal (also called the door boot or gasket) traps water, lint, hair, and residue in its folds, and that is often where the smell lives.

1. Open the door and pull back the folds of the seal all the way around.
2. Remove hair, lint, and anything caught in the bottom of the seal.
3. Wipe out residue with a cloth and the cleaner your manual recommends, using a soft brush in the creases.
4. Dry the seal with a clean cloth.

After this deep clean, a quick wipe of the bottom fold after the last load of the day prevents buildup.

Step 3: Clean the detergent dispenser

Detergent and softener residue builds up in the drawer and its housing. Whirlpool says to remove and clean the dispenser drawer regularly following your manual, and LG recommends cleaning it weekly. Most drawers release with a tab or “PUSH” button; scrub with a brush, rinse, dry, and reinstall.

Step 4: Clean the drain pump filter

Many front-load washers have a drain pump filter (coin trap) behind a small panel at the lower front. Lint, coins, and gunk collected there can hold stagnant water and smell. Check your manual for the location and procedure. Put down towels and a shallow pan first, because water will come out when you open it. Remove debris, then reinstall the filter firmly so it does not leak.

Step 5: Change the habits that cause odor

The deep clean fixes today’s smell. These habits keep it from coming back:

• Use HE detergent, measured. Whirlpool specifies HE detergent only and says never to use more than the recommended amount.
• Unload promptly. Move laundry to the dryer as soon as the cycle ends, and do not store damp towels in the washer.
• Leave the door and dispenser drawer open between loads. ENERGY STAR suggests leaving the door ajar for an hour or two after use so moisture can evaporate. Keep children from climbing into the open machine.
• Use warm or hot water occasionally, per Whirlpool, rather than cold only.
• Repeat the cleaning cycle monthly, or on the schedule in your manual. It is on our maintenance calendar.

Sewer smell: if it smells like sewage

A sewage or rotten-egg smell usually points to the drain rather than the drum. LG lists a drain hose pushed too far into the drainpipe as one cause of odor. Check that the drain hose is installed the way your manual shows (Whirlpool specifies a standpipe height between 39 and 96 inches for its front-load washers) and that the hose is not sealed tightly into the pipe. If the smell comes from the floor drain or standpipe itself, it may be a plumbing issue for a plumber.

When to call a pro

If the smell returns within days after a full cleaning, or you see standing water in the drum after a cycle, the washer may not be draining completely. Drain-related error codes are covered in our Whirlpool front-load washer error code guide and the error code hub. Choosing a new washer? See our front-load vs. top-load comparison.