What Causes Smelly Water in Washing Machines?

Washing machines are supposed to make clothes and other fabrics clean, so many people become somewhat frustrated when their washers begin to produce smelly water. There are a number of reasons why this might occur and they are listed below.

Too Much Detergent or Fabric Softener

If you use too much detergent or softener in your washes, these may contribute to foul-smelling water. Follow the guidelines for washing and applying detergent closely, and do not use too much in your machine. This may clog up certain channels and cause the water to become stagnant.

Using the Washer Infrequently

If you do not use your washing machine very often, when you do use it you may detect some unusual odors. This is not uncommon, and in these cases, it is best to run a load in the machine every few days at minimum in order to keep the machine running smoothly.

Using Cold Water

If you only wash your fabrics with cold water, this can occasionally contribute to a foul smell in the washer. Mix the wash cycles to include warm or hot water as well, and this should help to clear out the odor from the machine.

If your machine is producing a strange smell, there are a number of chemical machine cleaners available to help reduce the odor.