Your washing machine will stink if you skip this one essential step — I learned the hard way

Washing machine in laundry room — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

I run a cycle on my washing machine at least once a day. It comes in for a real hammering and gets through a pile of laundry on what seems like repeat. However, it turns out I’ve been using my washing machine all wrong without realizing it, and in my error, it’s causing a stink.

But besides smelling bad, I’ve also noticed how the drum is partly covered in black mold. And I know this is not a good sign. Apart from being tough to budge and looking unsightly, mold is obviously bad for our health.

So, what is the one thing I’ve been getting wrong? According to Gwil Snook, laundry appliance expert at AO I’ve been making the mistake of closing my washing machine door after each wash.

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The one mistake that harbors mold

Washing machine in kitchen — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Apparently, this common habit traps moisture inside the drum, allowing mold and bacteria to grow in the rubber seal and detergent drawer.

Snook explains, “Washing machine rubber door seals are one of the biggest hidden breeding grounds for mold in the home. They trap moisture, detergent residue and fabric fibers during and after washes, creating the perfect warm, damp environment for mold and bacteria to thrive.”

And he adds, “Because the seal folds inward, it often stays wet long after a wash has finished, especially if the door is kept closed.”

If you notice that your clothes smell stale when they come out of the wash, or that your washing machine smells a bit funky whe you open the door, Snook says that there's a good chance you’ve got a mold problem.

So to help prevent your washing machine from smelling like mine, follow Snook's six tips to a clean and fresh-smelling washing machine.

1. Keep the door open

My washing machine is in my kitchen, so to keep the room looking tidy, I like to close the washing machine door. However, I need to change my habits. “Closing the door straight after a cycle might look tidy, but it traps moisture where you can’t see it. Letting the machine air out between washes is one of the simplest habits you can get into if you want to avoid mold,” says Snook.

2. Clean the seal with white vinegar

According to Snook, white vinegar is a natural wonder for breaking down the soap scum and lint that mold feeds on.

“I recommend wedging vinegar-soaked cotton pads into the rubber and leaving them for around two hours to work their magic. Then, simply grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe the area clean."

For more stubborn stains, he suggests using a diluted bleach solution. “Just remember to always follow it up with a high-temperature maintenance wash to clear any residue before your next load,” he adds.

3. Wipe down the door seal and drum

Inside a washing machine being cleaned — (Image credit: Future / Millie Fender)

Snook says that the door seal is usually the first place mold appears, and it catches people out. “A quick wipe every so often stops build-up before it turns into a bigger problem — and helps keep that musty smell away from clean laundry,” he advises.

4. Clean the detergent drawer and filter

“If a washing machine smells even when it’s empty, the drawer or filter is usually to blame. These areas are easy to forget, but keeping them clean helps the whole machine run better and stay fresher for longer,” says Snook.

I often find cleaning the filter on my washing machine solves the problem, and it only takes five minutes once a month.

5. Run an empty cleaning cycle

Although you might assume that detergent alone will clean your washing machine, this is not the case. Instead, Snook suggests running a regular hot empty cycle to clear out hidden residue and build-up inside the drum and pipes, which is often what causes lingering odors and mold.

I recently followed this method, but added 2 cups of white vinegar inside the drum. The result? A fresh-smelling washing machine.

6. Don’t overload your machine and remove wet laundry immediately

It’s a common mistake to make when you’ve got a whole pile of dirty laundry to wash, but Snook warns against overfilling your washing machine. Coupled with leaving wet clothes inside the drum, you’ve got the perfect environment for a mold party.

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Camilla is the Homes Staff Writer and covers everything to do with homes and gardens. She has a wealth of editorial experience, mounting over 30 years, and covers news and features, tests products for reviews and compiles buying guides.

Her work has appeared in business and consumer titles, including Ideal Home, Real Homes, House Beautiful, Homebuilding & Renovation, and Kitchen & Bathroom Business. She’s even appeared on the cover of Your Home, writing about her own house renovation.

Although she’s obsessed with decorating her home, she also enjoys baking and trying out the latest kitchen appliances. But when she’s not inside, you’ll find her pottering about in her yard, tending to her vegetable patch or taking in her prized hydrangeas.

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