Washing machine smells: causes and safe checks

Usually simple

Quick answer

A smelly washing machine is usually caused by detergent residue, damp, mould in the door seal, or never washing hot. Run a hot maintenance wash with the drum empty, clean the door seal, detergent drawer and pump filter, and leave the door and drawer ajar between washes. A smell from water not draining needs an engineer.

Also covers: washing machine smells of damp · mouldy washing machine · washing machine drain smell · smelly washing.

Likely causes

What you can safely check yourself

Stop and call a qualified engineer if:
  • The code or problem comes back after you’ve done the safe checks on this page.
  • The next step would mean removing a cover or panel, or working on the pump, valves, heater, motor, door lock or wiring. That is a job for a qualified engineer.

Work through these in order. Stop as soon as one of the signs above applies.

Run a maintenance (drum clean) wash

  1. Empty the drum completely.
  2. Use your machine’s drum or tub clean programme if it has one. Otherwise run a hot cotton programme (60 to 90°C) with no laundry.
  3. Add a washing machine cleaner only if your manual allows it, and follow the pack instructions.
  4. After washing, leave the door and the detergent drawer slightly open so the machine can dry out.

Don’t add laundry to a maintenance wash.

Clear excess foam and use less detergent

  1. If you can see a lot of foam in the drum, too much detergent may be confusing the water-level system.
  2. Use the dose on the detergent pack for your load size and water hardness. Use less for small or lightly soiled loads and soft water, and use a detergent made for automatic machines.
  3. Let the foam settle, then run a hot rinse or empty wash without detergent to flush the residue out.

Clean and inspect the door seal

  1. Open the door and wipe fluff, hair and detergent residue from the rubber seal and the edge of the door glass.
  2. Pull the folds of the seal back gently and remove anything trapped inside.
  3. Look for tears, holes or perished areas. A damaged seal needs replacing by a qualified engineer.

Clean the detergent drawer

  1. Pull the detergent drawer out. Many have a release catch, and your manual shows where it is.
  2. Lift out any removable insert or siphon cap and rinse every compartment under warm running water.
  3. Brush out detergent and softener residue from the drawer recess in the machine, using an old toothbrush.
  4. Refit the drawer fully and run a rinse with an empty drum.

Don’t put pods or capsules in a drawer that isn’t designed for them. Put them in the drum.

Clean the drain pump filter Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • Water inside can be hot after a hot wash. Wait for it to cool before opening a filter.
  • Expect water to come out. Put towels and a shallow tray or baking dish down first.
  • Never force a locked door, a stuck filter cap or a seized part. Forcing it usually causes more damage.
Where the drain pump filter usually is Filter flap bottom front, one side Shallow tray + towels drain slowly, a bit at a time Filter cap turn anticlockwise slowly Some models have a small emergency drain hose here too
Where the drain pump filter usually is. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Find the small flap at the bottom front of the machine. Your manual shows the exact location and whether there is a small emergency drain hose.
  2. With towels and a tray in place, release the water slowly, using the emergency hose if there is one, or by turning the filter cap a little at a time. Expect more water than you think, and empty the tray as often as you need to.
  3. When the water has stopped, unscrew the filter fully and remove fluff, coins, hair grips and other debris. Rinse it under the tap.
  4. Look into the opening to check the pump blade can turn freely. If you can see it, manufacturers suggest turning it gently with a pencil, never with your fingers.
  5. Refit the filter firmly in its locked position and close the flap. Check for drips the next time the machine runs.

Don’t reach in with fingers past the filter opening.

Don’t open the filter while the machine is running or the water is hot.

Check the drain hose position and for kinks Take care

Before you start
  • Switch off and unplug the appliance at the wall socket before you touch hoses, filters or the back of the machine. Make sure your hands and the plug area are dry.
  • The appliance is heavy. Pull it out slowly, ideally with help, and don’t strain the hoses or the cable.
Drain hose height and standpipe Outlet height min–max: see your manual Don’t push the hose in too far it can siphon or block No kinks or loops
Drain hose height and standpipe. Positions vary by model — check your manual.
  1. Check the drain hose behind the machine is not kinked, twisted or squashed against the wall.
  2. Check how far the hose goes into the standpipe or sink trap. Pushed in too far, it can siphon or block.
  3. Check the height of the hose outlet against your manual. Manufacturers give a minimum and maximum height above the floor or the machine base.
  4. If the hose has been extended, check the joint. Extensions narrow the flow and make blockages more likely.

Showing an error code?

These codes are related to this problem. Codes differ by brand, so pick yours:

Step-by-step guides

Related problems

Questions people ask

How often should I run a maintenance wash?

AEG recommends once a month, and cleaning the detergent drawer about every two months. Some machines remind you with a symbol or a code.

Could the machine not be heating?

AEG suggests checking: run a hot wash, and the door should feel warm after about half an hour to an hour. If it doesn’t, see our guide to a washing machine not heating.

Brand guides: LG, Samsung. More washing machine problems and codes, or use the fault finder.

Sources

Last checked against these sources: .

We write every page in our own words from manufacturer guidance and check it against the sources above. If your manual says something different, follow your manual. How we check.