Why the washing machine itself can smell
Short answer: Residues of detergent, fat and moisture collect in the rubber seal and in the detergent drawer. It is warm and damp there, and a biofilm can build up over months. Maintenance is simple: keep the machine dry and run an empty hot wash from time to time.
The machine has residues too
Every wash leaves a little detergent, fat and moisture in the machine. Most of it is rinsed away, but small amounts collect where the water does not run through, such as the rubber seal around the door and the detergent drawer. Over time it becomes a layer that smells and passes the smell on to the laundry.
Biofilm in the edges
Bacteria and fungi form a thin film on surfaces that never dry fully. The film holds on to odour and passes it to the laundry whenever water flushes past. It builds slowly over months, so you rarely notice it until the smell is suddenly clear and does not go away after one wash.
The rubber seal is a warm spot
The rubber seal around the door has folds where water stays after every wash. It is damp and lukewarm there, and residues of soap and fat provide food. Look behind the seal if you are unsure, and wipe it with a cloth after washing so the water does not stay.
The detergent drawer collects residues
The detergent drawer and the space behind it are damp, and detergent and softener can dry into a sticky film. If the drawer is not cleaned for a long time, mould can grow. Take it out, rinse it well with warm water, and let it dry. For most people that is enough to keep it tidy.
Low temperatures do not help
If you always wash at thirty degrees, the machine never gets warm enough to break down the biofilm. A low programme is gentle on clothes, but it leaves fat and soap residues that can settle in the machine. So a machine that rarely runs hot needs a wash at a higher temperature now and then. See bamboo footies for men.
Maintenance is simple
Wipe the rubber seal dry, leave the door open, and run an empty wash at sixty degrees once a month. It takes a few minutes and needs nothing but ordinary powder. Habits like these keep the biofilm down, so it never gets thick. See bamboo compression stockings and all bamboo socks for men.
Dosing and machine cleaner
If the detergent is overdosed, more residue remains for the bacteria to live on. So follow the dose on the pack. A machine cleaner from the shop can help, but an empty wash at sixty degrees with ordinary powder does much of the same. Choose what suits you and make it a monthly habit.
How to spot the problem early
If the machine smells inside when you open the door, or clean laundry smells of machine, the biofilm has begun. Take it seriously early, because a thin layer is easier to remove than a thick one. Go through the seal, the drawer and the bottom of the door, and run an empty wash at sixty degrees. Repeat if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How often should the detergent drawer be cleaned
Once a month is enough for most people. Take the drawer out, rinse it under warm water, wipe it dry, and leave it open so both the drawer and the space behind it can dry fully.
Does a machine cleaner from the shop help
Yes, but an empty wash at sixty degrees with ordinary powder does much of the same. Choose what you prefer and make it a monthly habit, together with keeping the rubber seal dry.
Why does the laundry smell of the machine
Because the biofilm loosens during the wash and settles in the fabric. If the smell is in the clothes, both the machine and the clothes must be cleaned, or the smell returns at the next wash.
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