My Front-Load Washer Has a Funny Smell

Front-load washers' lower water use makes them mold growth risks.

When you think about humid zones in your house, you might leave your laundry room off the list. You should not -- it is an area of your home at risk for growing mold and smelling odd.

Smell

If your front-load washer has a funny smell, it will be musty or earthy. The unpleasant odor can be strongest on the back or sides of the washer or you might notice it most when you open up the washer to run a load of laundry.

Cause

Mold is the cause of the funny smell. Mold can grow on the back and sides of the exterior of your front-load washer. It can also grow inside the washer, especially if you tend to overload it. Front-load washers can fail to rinse away dirt after a load of laundry, giving mold a place grow.

Solution

If you have mold on the outside of your washer, clean it away with a mixture of 1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. You can use the same solution to clean visible mold inside the washer. Run an empty load with hot water and add bleach to it to remove the smell on the inside.

References

• "Green Up Your Cleanup"; Jill Schoff; 2008
• "Fungi and Molds"; Jennifer Viegas; 2004