What to do if your washing machine smells like sewer

Unpleasant odors coming from the tank of the washing machine terrify many housewives. And these smells may not disappear even after the next wash. Even worse, they can be transmitted to bedding and things.

If you look, the unpleasant smell is most often caused by bacteria, which means that the laundry washed in such a washing machine will be hazardous to health.

Housewives begin to panic, some even call home appliance repairmen, while the cause of the bad smell lies on the surface. The rotten smell from the washing machine can be quickly eliminated if you understand the root causes of its appearance.

Why does the washing machine smell like rotten stuff?

If the washing machine smells like sewage, then inspecting the drain will not work. The thing is that such terrible smells are formed for completely different reasons.

Stink in sewer drains due to stagnant water, in which various contaminants are present, and also due to the lack of proper washing machine care.

breeding bacteria cause rapid decay of biological components, and soap and washing powder act as catalysts for the process.
bacteria in washing machine
At the same time, it is impossible to completely flush the sewer - water will still remain in it, which will start to stink if it is idle for a long time.

Let's try to consider several cases and figure out where the rotten smell comes from from the washing machine.

At the bottom of the drum of the switched off washing machine (as well as in the pump and drain hose), there may be some water with residues of washing powder and fluff.This is already a material for intensive decay, especially since washing is most often carried out at +30 - +40 degrees - this is a real paradise for bacteria that cause unpleasant odors.

If we forget about the washing machine for a week or two, then rotting processes will begin in the remaining water. As a result, we will get a rotten smell from the washing machine.

An unpleasant odor can also come from the drum itself, on which microscopic remains of biological contaminants remain. To avoid unpleasant odors in the washing machine next time, periodically wash at high temperatures.

Besides, tank needs to be cleaned regularly - we fill the empty machine with washing powder and turn it on in the washing mode without linen, setting the temperature to +95 degrees. Hot water will kill all bacteria and eliminate the causes of the disgusting rotten smell. At the same time, the heater will also be cleaned.
Washing machine tank being cleaned
Some housewives use the machine tank instead of the dirty laundry tanktightly closing the loading hatch. This should not be allowed, since the rotten smell from the washing machine will make itself felt in just 2-3 days. It will be the laundry that will stink, and the remaining moisture will contribute to the strengthening of the unpleasant odor. It will also appear if the hatch is open.
Do not store dirty laundry in the washing machine
The conclusion is that to store dirty laundry, you need to use special plastic tanks in which there are ventilation holes.

It is not recommended to store laundry in the tub of the machine even with the hatch open.

In some cases, air conditioners and washing powders can contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant odor. Banal too much detergent - and an unpleasant smell will spread throughout the bathroom (or kitchen).
Too much detergent in the washing machine

If your washing machine has simply served its purpose and needs to be replaced, then we recommend that you see the rating of the best washing machines.

Stinks from the washing machine - what to do

First of all, you need stop using the washing machine – its drum needs to be cleaned. Starting the idle wash and spend it at a temperature of +95 degrees.

After that you can restart the cycleusing ordinary powder instead of citric acid. It will not only eliminate the remnants of pollution, but also remove scale. Similar procedures should be carried out if the washing machine has stood idle for too long.
Citric acid instead of washing powder
If the stench appeared due to the storage of dirty laundry in the tank, then to remove the smell from the washing machine, it is enough to carry out one idle wash.

If the washing machine smells of mold and the smell does not leave the drum, you can look into the drain pump filter. Sometimes piles and threads get stuck here, which is the reason for the appearance of a persistent unpleasant odor.
Check drain pump filter

Read more about how clean the washing machine from mold and bad smell, you can find out from the article located at the link.

From all of the above, three conclusions can be drawn:

  • It is necessary to carry out periodic cleaning of the drum with the help of idle washings;
  • You should get rid of the habit of storing dirty laundry in the tank of the machine;
  • Do not close the loading door between washings or when not in use for a long time - the drum needs ventilation.

Following these simple rules, you can never know how your washing machine can stink. By the way, in some models there are special drum cleaning programs. Also, do not rely on the praised silver ion coating. It certainly works, but it will not be able to cope with stagnant water.

Comments

Fu, this, of course, is unpleasant when not freshness comes from the washing machine, but a rotten moldy smell, so I add calgon myself, so no dirt, no smell and the machine will not break down prematurely

Could there be worms in there?

Thank you!