Front-load washer smells musty? How to get rid of it for good
By the technicians at Maximum Appliance Repair. Updated
Front-load washers seal tight to save water, which also traps moisture. Leftover detergent, lint and moisture in a warm laundry room, especially in Florida humidity, are the perfect place for mildew. The fix is a deep clean, then a few habits.
Safety first: unplug the appliance or switch off its breaker before you open panels, and shut off gas or water if you'll be near those lines.
1. Clean the door gasket
Pull back the rubber boot around the door. Wipe out hair, lint and slime with a cloth and warm soapy water, or a diluted bleach solution if your manual allows it. Dry it afterward.
2. Clean the detergent dispenser
Pull the drawer out (most have a release tab) and rinse off detergent and softener buildup. Wipe out the cavity it slides into, where mold likes to grow.
3. Clean the drain pump filter
Standing water and debris in the filter at the bottom front smell bad fast. Drain it and clean it out (see our drain guide for how).
4. Run the cleaning cycle
Run your washer's Tub Clean or Clean Washer cycle with an empty drum and a washer cleaner tablet, or the bleach amount your manual allows. Do this about once a month.
5. Change three habits
Use HE detergent, and less of it than you think. Take wet clothes out promptly. Leave the door and the dispenser drawer slightly open between loads so the inside dries.
Too much detergent is the most common cause we see. HE washers use very little water, so the extra suds don't rinse out and leave residue for mildew to feed on.
When to call a technician
Call us if the smell comes back within days of a deep clean, if water stays in the drum after a cycle, or if you see a leak. Water that doesn't fully drain keeps the smell coming back.