What Causes Washing Machine Odor?

If you've recently found yourself plagued by washing machine odor, you're probably curious about the source of the problem. There are several sources for washing machine odor. Check the list below to identify your source so you can take steps to get rid of that smell.

Too Much Detergent

The use of too much detergent is perhaps the most common cause of washing machine odor. Try using a little less detergent than usual and see if the problem persists. If not, problem solved. If so, please read on.

Washing Exclusively With Cold Water

Using only cold water to wash your clothes is another cause of strange odor. While cold water helps ensure that your clothing doesn't fall victim to shrinkage, it is not as effective as warm water in removing pungent odors from your clothes or your washing machine. For this reason, it is recommended that you do at least one warm-water load of laundry each week. This should help wash away any washing machine odors that were not sufficiently purged by cold water.

Infrequent Use of Your Washing Machine

Another common cause of washing machine odor is infrequent use of your washer. If your washer isn't used very often, it is recommended that you clean the device with a commercial washing machine cleaner at least once a month in order to prevent the formation of unwanted odors.