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July 26th, 2023 by
Washing machines are one of the most important appliances in our homes, we rely on them heavily for cleaning clothes, bedding, towels and many other things, however despite how much we rely on them maintaining them is something that is often overlooked but if you've ever opened your washing machine door and been met with a pungent wave of stench, then that is usually a sign it’s time for some TLC to get in back in top shape. There are many things that may have caused the odour and just as many ways to take care of it – in the blog, we will take a look at what causes odour and how best to treat it.
What Causes Odour?
Considering that we use our washing machines to remove dirt from our laundry, it makes sense that in turn washing machines can also become a breeding ground for dirt, bacteria and mould. This can in turn cause odour to form which is likely what you are smelling when you open your washing machine.
It can be easy to overlook your washing machine's maintenance, after all, dirt is rarely visible and it uses hot water and soap regularly so it must be clean – well not quite. While dirt isn’t always visible this is usually because it is tucked away in those hard-to-see areas such as the seal around the drum, or in the pipes. This is why it can be easy to neglect your washing machine until it gets to the point of it becoming smelly – but what actually causes this odour?
There are a few contributing factors including a residue build-up from detergents, fabric softener, lint, bacteria and debris from laundry. This can accumulate over time inside your washing machine and will begin to cause odour if not regularly cleaned. The moisture and humidity that comes with using your washing machine also make it a prime location for mould and dampness to form this is particularly an issue if your washing machine is not draining water correctly or if water becomes trapped in the detergent drawers and inside the seal of the drum – while you don’t necessarily need to remember to check the water has fully drained after every regularly cleaning will help to prevent this.
If you close the door after use close their washing machine door immediately after use, this can be simply a force of habit, prevent pets from climbing in or just to prevent any bumped knees and shins! However, closing the door as soon as a cycle has been completed will trap moisture inside which can further encourage the growth of mould and create a warm damp environment ideal for bacteria to thrive in. Finally, homes with hard water supply may also find that their washing machine needs more frequent care and maintenance this is due to the mineral deposits that accumulate inside the machines and pipes will create an environment that will allow bacteria to thrive and cause the unpleasant must smells.
More Reasons to Clean Your Washing Machine
Now while I’m sure you will agree that preventing odour is more than enough reason to keep on top of regularly cleaning your washing machine then let's take a look at a few other reasons why it is important to take care of your washing machine.
As we’ve previously mentioned washing machines can become the perfect environment for mould and mildew to grow due to the warm and damp temperature inside your washing machine, it will thrive in those hidden areas of your washing machine, and this will great odour not only inside your machine but can cause your washing machine to break down over time.
A lack of proper maintenance will also affect the efficiency of your washing machine since the odour and residue build can lead to poor drainage (which can then lead to mould and mildew) uneven cleaning or even result in clothes coming out smelling bad and you may also notice white or discoloured areas on your laundry, the bacteria can also be transferred your clothing and since our bodies come into direct contact with these areas this may lead to skin irritation.
Finally failing to take care of your washing machine can also lead to a reduced lifespan – washing machines are not cheap and we rely on them heavily having to replace one can be a real nightmare however, the good news is with proper care washing machines can last for years so why take the chance.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine
So now that we know the importance of proper care for your washing machine, let's take a look at the best way to clean your machine to keep it looking its best, reduce bacteria and prevent mould and mildew. Don’t worry however this isn’t difficult and it does not need to be time-consuming either.
You should deep clean your washing machine once a month, there are a couple of ways in which you can do this. The easiest method is to buy a product specifically designed for cleaning washing machines, these will help to freshen and remove build-up. They are usually placed directly into the drum and then rinsed through the machine on a high-temperature wash. For those who are looking for something a little bit stronger, or if your washing machine has been somewhat neglected you can also use bleach you can do this by adding bleach to your detergent drawer and then running a hot cycle, it is recommended to run this a couple of times until there is no longer a bleach odour to ensure there is none left in the drawer than may damage your clothing. Alternatively, if you do not wish to use a chemical as heavy as bleach then adding white vinegar into your detergent drawer is another popular option. This will clean residue while also deodorising odours however is less likely to be as effective as bleach or a specialised cleaning product.
As well as running cleaning products through your washing machine you should also use a cloth and your chosen cleaning product to get into all the hidden areas where water and dirt can gather such as the detergent drawers, listing the seal in the main drum to get under as this is one of the prime areas where dirt will build up as well as scrubbing the drum itself.
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Other Maintenance Tips
On top of cleaning your washing machine once a month a deep treatment to tend to residue build-up and limescale is also recommended every three months. This will prevent limescale from building up in the pipes and on the heating element while also removing the build-up of residue inside of pipes that were not able to be fully flushed out of the system.
Not only will this help to keep your washing machine smelling fresh and clean it will also keep your washing machine working its best as it will protect against mineral deposits that can affect the heating element which will make your washing machine less efficient and it can also lead to corrosion on the more delicate components such as pipes which can lead to some very pricey repairs or replacements.
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of what can cause the foul odour that can build up in your washing machine and how to treat it and the importance of regular maintenance to ensure that your washing machine keeps functioning and smelling it’s best.
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