Washing Machine Smells Bad? Here’s Why (And How To Fix It)
Your washing machine smells bad. Maybe it’s a musty, damp smell that hits you when you open the door. Maybe it’s a sewage or rotten egg smell that appears during the drain. Maybe your clothes come out smelling worse than they went in.
The good news is that most washing machine smells are free to fix. The most common causes are mould in the door seal, residual detergent in the drawer, and a blocked drain filter — all of which you can clean yourself.
The key is working out which smell you have. Musty means mould. Sewage means a drain problem. The two have different causes and different fixes.
This page covers the seven most common smell patterns, the symptoms to look for, and the cleaning procedures you can perform yourself. If you need the complete diagnostic sequence with brand-specific notes and repair-or-bin guidance, the full guide is linked at the bottom.
Quick Diagnosis
Musty or mildew smell: mould in the door seal, detergent drawer, or drum.
Sewage or rotten egg smell: a drain problem. Usually a dry p-trap, a blocked drain, or a failing hose.
Smell from the drum: mould or mildew in the drum or the outer tub.
Smell from the drain: a blocked filter, a blocked hose, or a dry p-trap.
Smell in clothes after washing: a contaminated drum or a failing drain.
Top loader smell: usually the outer tub or the drain.
Front loader smell: usually the door seal.
Why Your Washing Machine Smells Bad
Washing machines smell for one of two reasons: mould and mildew, or a drain problem.
Mould and mildew grow in damp, dark environments. The washing machine is perfect for them — it’s warm, wet, and often has residual detergent and fabric softener that provide food. The growth usually happens in the door seal, the detergent drawer, the drum, and the drain filter.
Drain problems cause a different smell. When the drain is blocked, or when the p-trap dries out, sewer gases can enter the machine. This produces a sewage or rotten egg smell.
Why Mould Grows
Three conditions allow mould to grow:
Moisture. Washing machines are wet by design. The door seal traps water, and the outer tub retains moisture.
Food. Residual detergent and fabric softener leave a film that provides nutrients.
Warmth. A machine in a warm room is the ideal temperature for mould.
Removing any one of the three conditions stops the mould. In practice, the easiest is moisture — drying the seal after each cycle and leaving the door open.
Common Causes
Mouldy door seal. The most common cause on front loaders.
Mouldy detergent drawer. Residual detergent feeds mould.
Mould in the drum or outer tub.
Blocked drain filter. Decomposing debris produces a musty smell.
Dry p-trap. Sewer gases enter through a dry trap.
Blocked drain. Waste water backs up and decomposes.
Failed drain hose. A damaged or disconnected hose allows gases to enter.
Symptoms To Look For
The smell tells you which fault pattern applies.
Musty or Mildew Smell
Mould in the door seal, detergent drawer, or drum.
Sewage or Rotten Egg Smell
A drain problem. Usually a dry p-trap, a blocked drain, or a failing hose.
Smell From the Drum
Mould in the drum or the outer tub.
Smell From the Drain
A blocked filter, a blocked hose, or a dry p-trap.
Smell In Clothes After Washing
A contaminated drum or a failing drain.
Top Loader Smell
The outer tub or the drain.
Front Loader Smell
The door seal.
How to Diagnose the Fault
Step 1 — Identify the Smell
Musty means mould. Sewage means a drain problem. The two require different fixes.
Step 2 — Inspect the Door Seal
Pull back the folds of the rubber seal and look for black mould. This is the most common location on front loaders.
Step 3 — Check the Detergent Drawer
Remove it and look for residue or mould in the drawer and its housing.
Step 4 — Clean the Drain Filter
Open the filter access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Remove debris and rinse the filter.
Step 5 — Run a Hot Maintenance Cycle
Empty the drum. Add a washing machine cleaner or 500ml of white vinegar. Run the hottest cycle. Wipe down the drum and seal after.
Step 6 — Check the Drain Path
If the smell is sewage, check the drain hose, p-trap, and standpipe.
Step 7 — Leave the Door Open
Between uses, leave the door ajar so the seal dries. This prevents mould returning.
Fixing Specific Smells
Washing Machine Smells Musty
Mould in the door seal, drawer, or drum. Clean all three and run a hot cycle.
Washing Machine Smells Like Sewage
A drain problem. Check the drain filter, hose, and p-trap.
Washing Machine Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Decomposing debris in the drain filter or a blocked drain. Clean the filter first.
Front Loader Smells Bad
The door seal. Clean the folds thoroughly and leave the door open between uses.
Top Loader Smells Bad
The outer tub or the drain. Run a hot maintenance cycle and clean the filter.
Clothes Smell After Washing
Mould in the drum or outer tub. Run a hot maintenance cycle and clean the seal.
Washing Machine Smells After Cleaning
The mould may be in the outer tub, which cleaning doesn’t reach. A professional clean may be needed.
LG Washing Machine Smells Bad
LG front loaders are prone to door seal mould. Clean the seal, drawer, and filter. Use the Tub Clean cycle monthly.
Whirlpool Washing Machine Smells Bad
Whirlpool machines often develop smell from residual detergent or a dry p-trap. Clean the drawer and filter, and run a cycle to refill the trap.
Samsung Washing Machine Smells Bad
Samsung front loaders can develop mould in the door seal and drum. Clean the seal, run a hot cycle, and use the Self Clean cycle every two months.
Repair Cost Guide
Door seal cleaning: $0.
Detergent drawer cleaning: $0.
Drain filter cleaning: $0.
Drain hose flushing: $0.
Maintenance cycle: $5 to $15 for the cleaner.
Replacement door seal: $20 to $50 for the part, $50 to $100 fitted.
Replacement drain hose: $10 to $30 for the part, $40 to $80 fitted.
Professional outer tub clean: $100 to $200.
When to Repair vs Bin
Repair if:
The fault is mould, a blocked filter, or a damaged seal
The machine is under six years old
The repair cost is under half the cost of a comparable new machine
Bin if:
The outer tub is heavily contaminated and can’t be cleaned
The machine has multiple failed components
The repair cost exceeds half the cost of a comparable new machine
Safety Warning
Electrical risk. Washing machines run on mains voltage. Disconnect the power at the circuit breaker before removing any panel.
Mould risk. Mould and mildew can cause allergic reactions. Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning.
Cleaning product risk. Cleaning products can be caustic. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and ventilate the area.
FAQ
Why does my washing machine smell bad?
The most common causes are mould in the door seal, residual detergent in the drawer, and a blocked drain filter.
Why does my washing machine smell like sewage?
A dry p-trap, a blocked drain, or a failing drain hose.
Why does my washing machine smell musty?
Mould or mildew growth in the door seal, drum, or detergent drawer.
Why do my clothes smell after washing?
Mould in the drum or the outer tub is contaminating the clothes.
How do I clean a smelly washing machine?
Clean the door seal, detergent drawer, and drain filter. Run a hot maintenance cycle.
Why does my front loader smell bad?
Front loaders are prone to door seal mould because the seal traps moisture.
Why does my top loader smell bad?
Top loaders can accumulate detergent residue in the outer tub.
Is it worth repairing a washing machine that smells bad?
Yes, in almost all cases. Most smells are free to fix. Only a damaged door seal or a blocked drain hose that can’t be cleared requires parts.
Get the Complete Diagnosis
Need to determine exactly what’s causing the smell?
The complete diagnostic guide takes you beyond the basic cleaning and walks through all seven smell patterns step by step.
The complete guide includes:
Full cleaning procedures with what to look for
Door seal, detergent drawer, and drum cleaning
Drain filter, hose, and p-trap checking
Outer tub cleaning (advanced)
Brand-specific notes for LG, Whirlpool, and Samsung with self-clean cycle guidance
Repair and replacement considerations
Repair-or-bin guidance
Washing Machine Smells Bad Repair Guide
Complete diagnostic guide for washing machines that smell bad.
What’s included:
Diagnosis for all seven smell patterns
Step-by-step cleaning procedures
Door seal, drawer, drum, and drain filter cleaning
Drain hose and p-trap checking
Brand-specific notes and self-clean cycles
Required checks and tools
Repair information
Replacement considerations
Repair-or-bin guidance
Download instantly
$7.95
Have More Than One Washing Machine Problem?
If you’re dealing with several problems rather than just a smell, the LG Washing Machine guide covers the most common faults in one reference.
$7.95
Looking for Brand-Specific Guides?
Our brand guides cover washers, dryers, and dishwashers from Fisher & Paykel, Samsung, LG, Bosch, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, and Miele.
$12.95
Repair or Bin?
Before spending money on a repair, find out what is actually wrong with your appliance.
Repair or Bin gives you the information to diagnose the problem and make an informed repair-or-bin decision.
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