Washing machine stinks: This helps against the smell
If your washing machine stinks, musty, burned or even after rotten eggs, in the most unpleasant cases this is also transferred to your laundry. We show you how to get rid of the stench:
Washing machine stinks: Clean the detergent drawer
The detergent drawer should be taken care of and cleaned from time to time. Bacteria can accumulate here due to deposits and incrustations in interaction with moisture and cause unpleasant smells.
- To roughly clean the detergent drawer, simply brush or rinse it from time to time.
- If there is heavy soiling and stubborn detergent residues, remove the compartment from the washing machine. In most cases, you can do this by pulling the tray out of the machine as far as it will go, and then pushing a lever or tab to unlock the tray.
- Place the compartment in a bucket of hot water (and, for example, vinegar cleaner) and let the dirt soak for a few minutes. Now brush or wipe the compartment until it is clean, rinse with clear water and let it dry. Finally, put the compartment back in your washing machine.
Remove stinking residual water from the washing machine
If residual water collects due to a defective pump or leaks in the machine, this can lead to a violent stench after a short time. In the worst case, the pump has to be replaced, in the simplest case you can drain the accumulated water.
- There is usually a small cover in the lower left or right corner of your washing machine. Fold it down or to the side and, if space allows, place a bowl or bucket under the opening to catch the stagnant water. Depending on the machine model, you can either drain the water using a hose or a screw cap.
- If your washing machine still has a fluff filter, you should also clean it at regular intervals. We will show you how to do this in one of our practical tips.
Cook washes to prevent odors in the washing machine
Even if you protect the environment and your laundry by washing only at 30 °: use the boil-wash cycle at regular intervals and wash a load at 90 ° to 95 ° or leave the drum empty and clean the machine with the cooking program. Depending on how often you use your washing machine, at least one cleaning cycle per month is recommended. Optionally, add a washing machine cleaner to the wash cycle.
After washing: leave the washing machine open
Leave the washing machine door open after a wash so that the washing drum can dry and you avoid moisture and thus a suitable environment for germs and bacteria. If it bothers you, you can close it as soon as the machine has dried. In order to avoid unpleasant smells in the long run, it is best to always leave the door slightly open.