Washing Machine Smells Like Mildew Front Loader Fixes

Moisture and residue are the first things to tackle

If you've been washing clothes but haven't cleaned the machine itself lately, we'd check the gasket and dispenser first because both can hold odor-causing buildup. Those visible areas give you a useful starting point before running an interior cleaning cycle.

A front loader's airtight door seal can trap moisture, creating conditions where mold and mildew grow. The rubber gasket can collect water, dirt and soap scum, while detergent and fabric softener residue can accumulate inside the machine.

Think through the visible possibilities first: something caught around the door, a dirty dispenser, or wet laundry left sitting after a wash. Then consider your cleaning routine and detergent use, since an overdue interior clean, the wrong detergent or too much of it can also contribute to mildew odors.

These are possible causes to work through, with cleaning and better drying as the remedy. Any washer can develop odors without proper care, so paying attention to the seal matters without making a musty machine inevitable.

Look inside the door seal

Look around the rubber gasket and inside the drum for socks, lint, coins or other trapped items, and remove anything you find. Items caught at the seal can hold moisture and lead to musty smells, so make this inspection part of your routine after each wash.

Wipe the gasket with a clean, soft, damp cloth, gently working into its crevices to remove dirt and grime. Whirlpool's gasket-cleaning guidance (opens in a new tab) also allows machine-cleaning wipes. Before using wipes, check the product directions and your washer manufacturer's cleaning instructions for compatibility.

Pay attention to the inside of the seal as well as its exposed surface. Mildew can hide in the crevices of an uncleaned gasket, which is why wiping only the most visible part can leave an odor-trapping area untouched.

Choose a cleaner your washer accepts

Before adding a cleaning product, check your owner's manual for the products your washer accepts. Choose a specialized washing-machine cleaner that meets those instructions, and follow its directions along with the machine's cleaning procedure.

Whirlpool recommends a specialized cleaner such as affresh Washing Machine Cleaner for this job. The company describes its tablets as helping reduce residue and grime in hard-to-reach areas, so interior cleaning addresses places beyond the gasket you can wipe by hand.

Skip vinegar for this cleaning method. Whirlpool advises against vinegar in washers (opens in a new tab) because it can damage washing-machine components over time. Use a compatible washer cleaner instead, with the amount and application directed by its label and your machine's instructions.

Run the cleaning cycle and finishing rinse

Use your model's instructions to operate its cleaning cycle. The sequence below is Maytag's general washer-cleaning method (opens in a new tab), including its alternative for machines without a Clean Washer cycle. Keep your own washer and cleaner instructions alongside it when choosing the product and settings.

1. Remove all clothes and other laundry items. For Maytag's tablet method, place the cleaning tablet product directly in the drum, not the dispenser, leaving the drum free of laundry.
2. If your washer offers Clean Washer, select it and start the cycle. Maytag's stated fallback is Normal or Heavy with the water temperature set to Hot. Let the selected cycle finish.
3. After that cycle ends, run Rinse & Spin to rinse remaining cleaner from the interior. Let this cycle finish before moving on.

The hot-water fallback has a practical purpose: hot water can help wash away detergent and fabric softener residue. If you mainly wash laundry in cold water, that residue-removing role is especially relevant when you're choosing the supported cleaning cycle.

Give the detergent drawer its own clean

Once the wash cycle has ended, remove the detergent dispenser drawer using your owner's manual's removal instructions. A dirty drawer is an overlooked source of odors, so include it even when you've already cleaned the drum.

Wash the drawer with warm water and mild soap, using a soft sponge or cloth. For stubborn residue, use a small brush or toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly with warm water, dry it with a clean towel, then put the drawer back into the machine.

Maytag's drawer-cleaning method (opens in a new tab) uses mild soap, while Whirlpool's broader odor checklist also mentions an all-purpose cleaner. We'd use the mild-soap method here because it provides a complete wash, rinse and dry sequence, while still following your model's product-compatibility instructions.

Repeat drawer cleaning about every 30 cycles or when you notice musty smells. That odor trigger matters even if the next scheduled cleaning hasn't arrived yet.

Get the detergent type and amount right

Check your owner's manual to confirm which detergent suits your machine. If it's a high-efficiency washer, use only HE detergent: non-HE detergent in an HE machine can leave residue that contributes to odors.

Follow the manufacturer's dosing recommendations and adjust the amount for the load's size, type and soil level. Using more than the recommended amount can leave residue, so adding extra to fight a smell can contribute to the buildup you're trying to remove.

Fabric softener residue can also accumulate inside the washer. If the smell returns after cleaning, review what you're dispensing for each load alongside the condition of the drum, seal and dispenser. Correct detergent use and regular cleaning address different parts of the same residue problem.

Let the washer dry between loads

Remove wet laundry as soon as possible after a cycle finishes. Leaving it sitting lets moisture become stagnant and can lead to a musty smell in the washer.

After each wash, wipe the gasket and door with a dry towel. Leave the door slightly ajar between washes so air can circulate and the interior can dry. This deals with the moisture left behind after you've dealt with the dirt and residue.

For ongoing interior cleaning, Whirlpool recommends roughly monthly or every 30 wash cycles (opens in a new tab), with cleaning as needed as well. Use that as a care rhythm alongside your model's directions, rather than waiting for a strong odor before paying attention to the machine.

If the smell stays or smells like sewage

After cleaning and drying, assess whether the musty odor has eased. A fresher-smelling interior is the intended result of removing residue and excess moisture.

If the odor persists, contact your washer's manufacturer or an appliance professional. If it smells like sewage, or these cleaning measures fail to clear the odor, contact a professional plumber for an assessment. Whirlpool identifies plumbing problems as a possibility (opens in a new tab) in those situations, so have the professional determine the cause.