How to get rid of the bad smell from the washing machine and why it appears?
The washing machine is an indispensable assistant in the household, without which it is difficult to imagine modern life. However, sometimes this machine becomes the cause of serious inconvenience. These inconveniences are not always associated with mechanical failures. It also happens that the washing machine works properly, but annoys the household with an unpleasant smell, which not only settles on things, but also spreads throughout the apartment.
Most often this affects old machines that have been in use for many years. But sometimes a brand new appliance begins to emit unpleasant odors. About why this happens and how to combat it, read our today's article.
Why is there a rotten and unpleasant smell?
The cause of the odor can be determined by properly identifying its source. To find the stinky place, you will have to carefully inspect all the main elements of the washing machine.
|
Where can you smell it? |
Why did it appear? |
How to get rid of it? |
|
The rubber gasket of the hatch |
The formation of fungus and mold due to the fact that after washing the cuff is not wiped dry and not cleaned of debris |
Thoroughly disinfect the gasket with an antiseptic solution; if necessary, this part can be replaced |
|
Detergent and conditioner container |
appearance of mould and accumulation of residues of household chemicals |
Soap and hot water, clean attachment point; treat with antiseptic |
|
Drain hose |
Blockages caused by lime scale, detergent residue or small foreign objects |
Blow out the hose, then rinse it with plenty of warm water; if necessary, you can use a thin rope. |
|
Sewer outlet |
Blockage in the drain pipe |
Use a sanitary line and special acids or caustic agents to clear the blockage |
|
Drain pump |
Foreign objects in the drainage system |
Remove the obstruction and clean the part thoroughly; if the pump is damaged, it can be replaced with a new one |
|
Tubular heating element |
Destruction of the structure under the influence of hard water and aggressive detergents |
Remove the fouling, and if the heating element is already in disrepair - buy a new one |
How to inspect the drain hose for the presence of mold, see in the video.
How to remove the smell with improvised means?
In the fight against unpleasant odors, hostesses use not only antiseptics and cleaners, but also proven folk recipes. We want to share with you simple ways to eliminate stinky odors coming from the washing machine.
Necessary supplies:
- a soft cloth or sponge;
- dishwashing detergent;
- a toothbrush;
- laundry detergent;
- bleach;
- baking soda;
- acetic acid solution;
- if necessary - a special cleaner.
Perhaps the cause of the unpleasant smell is insufficient care of the washing machine. In this case, it is necessary to carry out a hygienic treatment of all available elements of the washing machine:
- Open the door and wash it thoroughly on both sides with dishwashing detergent. Clean cracks and joints with a toothbrush and washing powder.
- Take out the detergent container, rinse it under running water and dry it.
- Pour one load of detergent into the feeder and start the wash cycle without loading the laundry. Select a high temperature - not less than 90 degrees.
- If the previous step did not yield results, try repeating the same procedure with bleach. This time, use a double batch, and pour it directly into the drum.
- Inspect the unit for mold growth. Treat the affected areas with vinegar or baking soda solution. If mold appears again, it is better to replace these elements, if possible.
The technique of washing machine cleaning is shared with you by Natalia Gorbatova in the following video.
How to get rid of the smell by replacing the rubber ring or hose?
One of the most common causes of odor is mold and mildew on the rubber and plastic parts of the washing machine. If treatment with antifungal and antiseptic agents does not work, these elements will have to be replaced.
Replacement of the rubber sleeve
First you need to dismantle the part that has fallen into disrepair. Release it from the two clamps - plastic and metal. After removing the first clamp (using a screwdriver), release the outer part of the cuff, pre-marking, according to which we will mount a new part.
After the old surface is removed, it is necessary to clean and degrease the place of attachment. Next, put the new collar on the edge of the tank. Act from top to bottom (at the same time pay attention to the markings). To reduce resistance, use a soapy solution. After installing the collar, return both clamps in place.
You can clearly see the process of replacing the cuff from the video channel "Zheka RoveR".
Drain hose replacement
If there is a need to replace the drain hose, the algorithm of actions will depend on the model of the washing machine. The fact is that different manufacturers place this detail in different places of the unit. Thus, access to the drain hose can be obtained through the front, back, bottom or side panel of the washing machine. Detailed information about this you can find in the instruction manual.
When disassembling the drain system, record each of your steps on the camera, so that you can then easily reproduce everything in reverse order. After disconnecting the hose from the pump, clean dirt and degrease the fixing place. Then attach the new part. Before you put the panel back in place, test the connection for leaks.
Tips and Prevention
- To wash the machine from the inside instead of bleach and detergent, you can use special tablets designed for dishwashers.
- Do not rush to close the door immediately after washing. First, wipe the drum and rubber cuffs dry. Remove any small debris and leave the door open for several hours to air it out. Never lock the door until it clicks into place, but leave a small gap so that moisture does not accumulate inside.
- Periodically clean the metal parts of the washing machine, including the heating element and drum, of limescale and other dirt. A solution of acetic or citric acid can be used for this purpose.
- Do not exceed the recommended dosage of detergent, bleach and conditioner. Excessive amounts of these products can cause an unpleasant smell.
- Take care of the quality of your consumables. Do not use cheap laundry detergent, which does not dissolve in water and settles on the internal elements of the washing machine. In addition, monitor the quality of the tap water. If it is too hard, install a flow filter.
What you should pay attention to when preventing contamination, see in the Ukrainian program "Everything Budebre".
