How To Handle A Stinky Washing Machine
Posted on: 30 September 2018
The scent of fresh linens has inspired candles, air fresheners, and perfumes. Freshly laundered clothing should fill your home with a pleasant scent. If you open the door to your washing machine and are greeted with a foul odor, this could be cause for concern. Take action to ensure your washing machine doesn't become an olfactory burden in the future.
Use hot water for your final wash cycle.
The interior surfaces of a washing machine are exposed to moisture and heat on a regular basis. These elements, combined with the residue left behind by detergents and fabric softeners, can promote the growth of mold and mildew.
Homeowners often choose to wash their clothing in warm or cold water to conserve energy and preserve clothing. It's important that you ensure the last wash cycle of the day is one that you can complete using hot water.
The hot water will eliminate any remaining residue from the interior drum of your washing machine to reduce the odor-producing bacteria that can cause your washing machine to smell.
Make sure your machine is vented properly.
The flow of air in and around your washing machine can help you reduce the odors produced by mold and mildew. A properly vented washing machine will dry out much faster than a machine with no air exposure. Be sure that you remove each load of laundry as soon as the wash cycle is complete so that interior components can dry.
It can also be helpful to leave the lid or door of the washing machine open after completing your last load of laundry for the day. This allows air to circulate throughout the interior of the machine to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Replace worn parts quickly.
Your washing machine is designed to run efficiently. When one of the components within the washing machine begins to malfunction, excess moisture and laundry products can become trapped within the machine itself.
Any changes in the performance of your washing machine should be taken seriously. Work with an experienced appliance repair technician to troubleshoot your washing machine in order to reduce the potential for performance problems to lead to foul odors in the future.
Access to a washing machine is a modern convenience that homeowners have come to rely on. Don't let a bad smell within your washing machine transfer to your clothing and compromise the performance of your washing machine.
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