How to get rid of unpleasant smell in the washing machine

The appearance of a musty smell in a washing machine is a consequence of the development of bacteria that are rapidly developing in a warm and humid environment. Economical modes of washing at low temperatures in modern units are considered an additional reason for the occurrence of a problem. Various microorganisms and molds create entire colonies, then they fall on the laundry, which can cause your clothes to smell unpleasant. Familiarize yourself with the basic rules for getting rid of moldy smell and how to prevent it.

Causes of unpleasant smell

Bad smell in a washing machine occurs for a number of reasons that contribute to creating an enabling environment for bacteria. The most common ones are the following:

1. Wash at low temperatures without additional rinsing.Bacteria do not die in such an environment, they remain on the washing tub, accumulate in the drain hoses and junction points.
2. Wet washing machine, which is not dried after work. Humidity, warmth and darkness are the ideal environment for microorganisms. As a result, the machine gives the smell of sewage.
3. Frequent use of rinse and poor-quality laundry detergents. They do not have enough disinfectants, which leads to the formation of bacterial plaque on the walls of the machine.
4. Leftover food and paper in the pockets of washable clothes get into the machine and, soaking, create good conditions for the development of mold.
5. The scale on the heating elements after treatment with a special tool leaves in a typewriter crumbs of limescale. If they are not removed, a fungal plaque with a nasty smell is provided.
6. The drain hose is not firmly attached to the sewer system. Smells from the common pipe fall into the washing machine. In this case, the corrected connection will fix the problem.

How to remove the smell from the washing machine

Let us see for a start, where exactly bacteria can form, in what places they survive better.Pay attention to the following list:

• compartment for washing powder and nearby surfaces;
• a rubber hose from the powder container to the tank;
• sealing ring on the hatch of the machine;
• the drain hose leaving in the sewerage;
• the bottom of the washing tank with moisture after washing;
• heating elements with scum on them.

If there is an unpleasant odor from the washing machine, it is necessary to check each problem area and thoroughly wash out potential breeding grounds with bleach.

Ways to eliminate the smell in the washing machine
You realized that the bacteria in the washing machine got wound up, even guess why and where exactly they develop. What to do next? Take note of what actions need to be taken to combat this problem:

1. In any case, you will have to clean the entire inside of the machine with a disinfectant. The substances intended for the removal of the smell from the car are sold, however, you can get by with the cheaper method - buy ordinary chlorine bleach. Some housewives use tablets for dishwashers.
2. If black plaque is found on the seals and the walls of the machine, it must be carefully removed and then dried.
3. An effective method of starting an empty machine for the longest program at a high temperature, while adding a cleaner. Gum around the drum and a compartment for washing powder after that still need to be treated with bleach.
4. Replace washing powder, sometimes the reason is in it. Do not use rinse too often, it can also be the cause of the smell.
5. There are laundry detergents that include antibacterial substances that even remove salmonella, E. coli and staphylococcus at low temperatures. You will have to overpay for them, but the peace and health are worth it.
6. Check the heating element with the help of a specialist, whether it is heating enough, whether it is time to clean it from scale, on which microorganisms “hang up” and multiply.
7. Replace the drain hose, after a few years of use, it can become a real peddler of accumulated bacteria.
8. Check the drain connection to the sewer so that after washing there is no stagnation of water in the tank.
9. Call a professional who will clean the filter of the washing machine, this "dirty" business is not always under the power of the hostess.
10. If the smell remains after cleaning the machine, it is possible that dirt pieces are stuck somewhere else, run the machine with the digestion program to completely eliminate the problem.

Note to those who buy washing machines

According to many years of observation and research, the appearance of an unpleasant odor due to the formation of mold and bacteria often affects washing machines with a horizontal load of laundry. The fact is that their manufacturers, helping the consumer to save money, use less water for the full wash cycle.

As a result, clothes are not rinsed out well by chemicals, and the machine is not washed enough with water. Residual bacteria linger more often in such conditions. Pay attention to this, if you are going to buy a washing unit, because we get it for life.

Odor Education Prevention Measures

You can periodically clean the washing machine, as we discussed above, but regular washings in cold water will again and again create a favorable environment for harmful microorganisms.The slightest signs of the appearance of foreign smell make frustrated scrupulous housewives. Do not worry, follow the precautions that will help you not to spoil the mood when dealing with a washing machine. Remember the following:

1. As soon as you have finished washing, opened the machine and got the laundry out of it, do not close the door. What good is a top-loading machine? In general, you can not close it, the door will not interfere, as in the horizontal, and the tank will be constantly ventilated. Otherwise, keep the machine at least ajar.
2. Do not accumulate laundry in the tank of the washing machine, low humidity and the temperature it creates will provide a favorable environment for bacteria. Buy a special basket for things in which they will be collected before the next wash. So between treatments, your tank inside is completely dry and ventilated.
3. Do not forget to immediately get the washed laundry. While you are busy, and it lies there for days, millions of bacteria will be brought up in conditions of high humidity.
4. Do not get carried away with short washing modes at low temperatures, they rarely give the expected effect.
5. The machine should not be loaded abutly, for high-quality washing, the laundry should rotate freely in the drum, and not beat in one lump.
6. Do not exceed the recommended amount of detergent, follow the instructions.
7. Try to always include a mode of additional rinsing, the cost of electricity and water - a small fee for your health.
8. Use the modes provided in your washing machine for a different type of linen. If it is cotton or linen, be sure to turn on the machine 90 degrees. When otstiryvanii stains on clothing wash more suitable at 40 degrees with antibacterial powders. Silk and wool are afraid of strong push-ups, use a delicate mode and gentle chemicals.
9. Effective replacement of fabric softeners is ordinary vinegar, it softens water well, destroys the remains of laundry detergent. If you dry clothes in a tumble dryer, vinegar will help get rid of the electrification of things. Not to mention the fact that you will avoid allergic skin reactions that occur when using air conditioners with perfume components.Just add white vinegar in a special compartment, it will reduce the risk of bacteria in the machine.
10. Dried outdoors in the open air is definitely free from possibly lingering microorganisms in it. Yes, and it will smell not chemical or other extraneous odors, but real purity.

It only seems to you that the smell problem in a washing machine requires a lot of time and money to solve it. In fact, you perform the same procedures as always, only by taking extra care. Use products that are more suitable for a good washing and preserving the cleanliness of your washing machine and laundry. And let the simple tips to help you avoid unnecessary trouble.

Video: how to quickly get rid of the unpleasant smell in the washing machine