Washer Smells Bad
Clean the gasket and run the monthly clean cycle.
By Jonathan West · reviewed 2026-10-27 ·how we research these
A washer smells bad when detergent residue, trapped moisture, lint in the door gasket, or a clogged drain pump filter creates odor buildup inside the machine. At DIY Repair Guide, we compared the odor guidance from Whirlpool and LG, merged it into one cause-to-fix table and one ordered cleaning sequence, and noted where the two differ.
This guidance applies directly to front-load washing machines. If you own a top-loader or a machine from another manufacturer, designs may differ, so you should follow the specific cleaning steps in your own product manual. The advice changes if the smell continues after several tub clean cycles. LG says service is required at that point.
Find the Cause, Then Run the Fix
Manufacturer guidance names four causes: detergent residue, moisture trapped by a closed door and dispenser, lint and hair in the door gasket, and a clogged drain pump filter. Whirlpool says non-HE detergent can leave a film residue that causes odor, and LG says cold-water washing may leave detergent undissolved.
Do these five steps in order the first time you clean the washer.
- Step 1: Empty the drum completely. Unload all damp clothing from the tub so mildew does not develop.
- Step 2: Clean the detergent dispenser drawer. Remove and clean the dispenser drawer following your owner's manual.
- Step 3: Clean the door gasket and glass. Remove hair and debris from the groove at the six o'clock position, wash the rubber with diluted oxygen bleach (LG's method), and wipe it dry.
- Step 4: Run the designated monthly clean cycle. Run your Clean Washer or Tub Clean cycle using the specific cleaning additive named in your owner's manual.
- Step 5: Leave the door and dispenser open. Keep both access points open after the cycle finishes to let the remaining drum moisture evaporate into the room.
| Symptom or Cause | Manufacturer Guidance | Target Location | Documented Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-HE soap or cold water residue | Film buildup from undissolved soap (Whirlpool, LG) | Drum and dispenser drawer | Use recommended HE detergent amounts. Clean the dispenser |
| Moisture trapped after wash cycle | Closed door traps humidity and grows mold (LG) | Door opening and dispenser | Leave the door and dispenser drawer open to air dry |
| Lint, hair, and standing water in seal | Trapped debris promotes mold growth (LG) | Rubber door gasket | Clean with diluted oxygen bleach. Dry with a towel |
| Standing water left in the drum | A clogged pump filter can leave water in the drum (LG) | Drain pump filter | Remove foreign objects and clean the pump filter |
| Skipped maintenance cycles | Skipping monthly cycles allows odor to develop (Whirlpool, LG) | Entire wash tub | Run monthly Clean Washer or Tub Clean cycle |
Detergent Residue from Non-HE Soap and Cold Water
Detergent residue around the drum, gasket, and dispenser causes odor when machines receive improper soap or cold water. Whirlpool says non-HE detergent in its compact front-load washer can leave a film residue that can result in odor.
LG says washing in cold water may leave detergent undissolved. Neither Whirlpool nor LG gives a numeric overdose threshold. Whirlpool says to use HE detergent in the amount the detergent manufacturer recommends, and LG says to follow the recommended detergent guidelines.
Remove and clean the dispenser drawer regularly. Whirlpool directs users to consult their owner's manual, while LG confirms that dispenser location and type vary by model.
Measure your detergent carefully. Whirlpool says to use HE detergent in the amount the detergent manufacturer recommends. LG says to follow the recommended detergent guidelines.
Trapped Moisture and Door Gasket Maintenance
Trapped moisture inside a sealed front-load washer causes odor and mold after routine laundry days. LG says that when the door stays closed, the moisture from washing cannot dry and mold may form inside the door gasket.
LG also says a closed detergent dispenser traps moisture. Lint and hair collect in the door gasket, and LG says those objects can retain water and cause mold and odor.
To resolve gasket contamination, follow the cleaning method published on the LG door gasket maintenance page. Clean the gasket at least once a month, as LG advises.
- Step 1: Check the six o'clock position. Pull back the rubber gasket folds and remove foreign objects, lint, and hair resting inside the groove at the six o'clock position.
- Step 2: Mix the oxygen bleach solution. Dilute 5 grams of oxygen-based bleach into 5 liters of warm water to produce the exact 1000-fold dilution ratio recommended by LG.
- Step 3: Scrub the rubber boot. Put on protective rubber gloves and clean the entire gasket surface thoroughly using a clean cloth saturated with the diluted oxygen bleach mixture.
- Step 4: Dry the seal and door glass. Wipe down the wet rubber gasket and the interior door glass thoroughly with a clean, dry towel until no moisture remains.
Drain Pump Filter Inspection and Standing Water
LG says a clogged drain pump filter can leave water in the drum, which leads to odor over time.
LG tells you to remove foreign objects from the drain pump filter, but its page does not say where the filter sits or how to open it. Find it in your owner's manual before you open any panel.
Running the Monthly Tub Clean Cycle
Both Whirlpool and LG instruct homeowners to run a dedicated maintenance cycle once every month to prevent odor and buildup. Whirlpool explains that its Clean Washer cycle uses higher water volume with affresh washer cleaner or liquid chlorine bleach to clean the inside of the washer.
Whirlpool says to run the Clean Washer cycle every month and when the Clean Washer light comes on, which helps keep odors from developing. Add the cleaner your owner's manual names for the cycle.
LG also says to run the Tub Clean cycle once a month, and its door gasket page specifies diluted oxygen bleach for the gasket.
Follow your manual for chemical choice. Whirlpool explicitly names affresh or liquid chlorine bleach for its Clean Washer cycle, while LG specifies oxygen bleach for gasket cleaning.
Habits That Stop the Smell from Coming Back
Whirlpool says wet clothing left in the wash basket can lead to mildew and odor, and LG says to open the door and dispenser so moisture can evaporate, especially in hot, humid weather.
- Unload laundry immediately: Unload the washer as soon as the cycle ends so damp laundry does not form mildew.
- Prop open the door and dispenser: Leave the door open until the interior gasket dries completely, and leave the soap drawer pulled open to ventilate.
- Keep children out of the tub: LG warns to take caution not to let children get into the tub to play.
- Measure HE soap per package directions: Add only the amount of High Efficiency detergent the detergent manufacturer recommends.
- Maintain the drain pump filter: Remove foreign objects from the drain pump filter so water does not remain in the drum.
When the Smell Stays After Several Clean Cycles
If the smell continues after you clean the gasket, the dispenser and the drain pump filter and run multiple tub clean cycles, LG says service is required.
Contact the equipment manufacturer or schedule an appointment with a qualified appliance service technician.
Common questions
Why does my washer smell bad?
A washer smells bad because of detergent residue, trapped moisture from a closed door and dispenser, lint and hair caught in the rubber gasket, or a clogged drain pump filter. Whirlpool and LG name undissolved detergent and skipped monthly clean cycles as sources of odor, and Whirlpool adds wet laundry left in the drum.
Why does my washer smell moldy?
A moldy smell points to mold in the door gasket, which LG says can form when the door stays closed and the moisture from washing cannot dry. LG also says lint and hair in the groove at the six o'clock position can retain water and cause mold and odor.
How do I stop my washer from smelling?
To stop a washer from smelling, clean the door gasket (LG specifies diluted oxygen bleach), clean the detergent dispenser drawer, and run the monthly Clean Washer or Tub Clean cycle with the cleaner your owner's manual names. After every cycle, unload wet clothes immediately and leave both the door and dispenser drawer open so the machine dries completely.
What detergent should I use to prevent washer odor?
Use High Efficiency (HE) detergent in the amount the detergent manufacturer recommends. Whirlpool says non-HE detergent can leave a film residue that can cause odor, and LG says cold-water washing may leave detergent undissolved.
How do you clean mold out of a front-load washer door gasket?
To clean mold from a door gasket, remove foreign objects from the bottom groove at the six o'clock position, mix 5 grams of oxygen bleach into 5 liters of warm water, and scrub the rubber boot while wearing rubber gloves. Wipe the gasket and door glass dry with a clean towel, as documented by LG.
What should I do if my washer keeps smelling after I clean it?
If your washer still smells after multiple tub cleans, contact a professional appliance technician or the manufacturer for service. LG troubleshooting guidance states directly that service is required when odor persists after multiple clean cycles.