Clean a Musty Washing Machine: Causes and Steps

A musty washing machine odor usually comes from moisture and residue left inside the appliance—not from freshly cleaned laundry. Detergent, fabric softener, body oils, soil, lint, and hair can collect in damp areas and create a stale or mildew-like smell over time.

Cleaning the places where buildup tends to hide, then improving a few everyday laundry habits, can resolve many washer odors. Check your owner’s manual before you begin because cleaning cycles, accessible parts, and approved products vary by model.

What Causes a Washing Machine to Smell Musty?

Because a washer is repeatedly exposed to water and damp fabrics, moisture can remain inside between loads. Residue can hold onto that moisture and contribute to stale or musty odors.

Common sources of buildup include:

Excess detergent that does not rinse away completely
Fabric softener residue
Body oils, soil, lint, and hair from clothing
Debris caught in the drum, dispenser, gasket, or filter
Water remaining in parts of the drain system

The smell may be strongest in areas that stay wet or receive limited airflow. These often include the drum, the rubber door seal on a front-load washer, the detergent dispenser, and parts of the drain system.

Check Common Trouble Spots Before Cleaning

Before running a cleaning cycle, inspect the areas where residue and trapped water are most likely to collect. This can help you remove obvious debris and recognize signs that need more than routine cleaning.

Inspect the drum and door area

Look inside the drum for visible residue, lint, hair, or small objects. On a front-load washer, gently pull back the accessible folds of the rubber door gasket and check for moisture and debris. Wipe out what you find with a soft cloth.

Remove and inspect the detergent dispenser

If the dispenser drawer and inserts are removable, take them out according to your model’s instructions. Check for dark, slimy, or hardened residue. Inspect the dispenser housing too, since laundry products can collect behind the drawer.

Check the drain pump filter, if accessible

Some washers have a user-accessible drain pump filter. Check the manual to see whether your model has one and where it is located. At this stage, look for signs of a blocked filter or drainage problem; save detailed filter cleaning for the instructions below.

Standing water in the drum, slow draining, or a sewer-like odor can indicate a drainage or plumbing issue rather than ordinary washer buildup. Cleaning alone may not solve those problems.

Gather Supplies and Review Care Instructions

Your owner’s manual and the cleaner product label should control which cleaning method and products you use. Many machines have a tub-clean or clean-washer cycle, while others specify a particular empty cycle or cleaner.

For many washers, you may need:

A soft cloth or microfiber cloth
A soft brush, such as an old soft-bristled toothbrush
Warm water
A washer cleaner or other manufacturer-approved cleaning product
Towels and a shallow pan, if cleaning an accessible drain filter

Do not mix cleaning products. In particular, never combine bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaners. Use one approved cleaning method at a time and follow all label directions.

How to Clean a Musty Front-Load Washing Machine

Front-load washers can retain moisture around the door gasket and dispenser. Cleaning those areas before running the machine’s maintenance cycle is often helpful.

Clean the door and gasket

Open the door and wipe the inside of the glass. Carefully pull back each accessible gasket fold and remove moisture, lint, hair, and residue. If your manual permits it, use a soft brush with warm water on stubborn deposits.

Avoid sharp tools or aggressive scrubbing. Damaging the gasket can cause leaks.

Clean the detergent drawer and housing

Remove the detergent drawer and removable inserts as directed by the manufacturer. Rinse them with warm water, use a soft brush to remove residue, and dry them before reinstalling.

Wipe inside the drawer housing as far as you can safely reach. Do not force parts apart or pour excess water into the dispenser area.

Run the approved cleaning cycle

Select the tub-clean, clean-washer, or similar maintenance cycle if your washer has one. Otherwise, use the recommended empty hot cycle for your model. Add only the approved washer-cleaning product and use it as directed.

After the cycle, wipe remaining moisture from the drum, door glass, gasket, and dispenser. Leave the door and detergent drawer open long enough for the interior to dry.

How to Clean a Musty Top-Load Washing Machine

Top-load washers can also develop buildup, particularly around the upper tub edge, under the lid, and near dispensers. Depending on the model, residue may collect around a center agitator or impeller.

First, check the basket for debris and wipe visible residue from the lid, tub rim, and dispenser areas. If the washer has a center agitator or impeller, clean around it without removing components unless the manual specifically instructs you to do so.

Next, run the washer’s cleaning cycle or the manufacturer-recommended empty cycle with an approved cleaner. When the cycle is complete:

Wipe the underside of the lid.
Wipe the top edge of the tub, where splashes and residue can remain.
Clean detergent, bleach, and fabric-softener dispensers as allowed by the manual.
Leave the lid open when safe and practical so the tub can air out.

Check the Filter, Hoses, and Exterior

Some odor sources are outside the wash basket. Inspecting accessible components can uncover residue, drainage concerns, or conditions that need service.

Clean an accessible filter carefully

Only clean a drain pump filter if your manual identifies it as user-accessible. Before opening the panel, follow your manual’s instructions for powering down the machine and managing any residual water.

Place towels and a shallow container below the access area, since water may drain out. Remove lint and debris, reinstall the filter securely, and make sure the access cover is properly closed.

Look over hoses without unnecessary disassembly

Check visible inlet and drain hoses for kinks, leaks, crushing, or obvious damage. Do not disconnect hoses or attempt internal plumbing repairs unless you have appropriate instructions and service guidance.

A persistent sewer smell, drainage issue, or leak may come from the household drain connection or an appliance problem rather than residue inside the washer.

Wipe exterior surfaces

Use a damp cloth to remove detergent spills and residue from the washer exterior, lid or door area, and control panel. Avoid soaking controls, vents, or electrical areas.

Habits That Help Prevent Musty Washer Odors

Once you clean a musty washing machine, simple routines can help keep odors from returning.

Habit	Why it helps
Remove laundry promptly	Damp clothes left in the drum add moisture and can transfer odors.
Use the recommended detergent amount	Too much detergent can leave residue behind.
Limit fabric softener use	Excess softener may leave a film in the drum and dispenser.
Leave the door, lid, and dispenser open between loads	Airflow helps damp interior surfaces dry.
Run periodic cleaning cycles	Regular cleaning removes residue before odor becomes noticeable.

Pay extra attention if you wash mostly in cold water, use many liquid laundry products, or frequently wash heavily soiled loads. These habits can make routine cleaning more important.

When Cleaning Is Not Enough

A thorough cleaning can address many common washer odors, but it cannot correct every cause. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified appliance technician if:

The odor returns soon after cleaning.
The washer drains slowly or leaves water in the drum.
You notice a persistent sewer-like odor.
There are visible leaks, unusual noises, or error codes.
The washer needs model-specific repair or internal service.

These signs can point to a clogged or damaged drain component, a plumbing concern, or another issue that needs proper diagnosis.

Keep Your Washer Clean and Dry Between Loads

Musty washer odors are often manageable with targeted cleaning and better drying habits. Focus on the places where moisture and residue collect, including the drum, gasket or lid area, detergent dispenser, and any accessible filter. Then use your washer’s approved cleaning method and allow the interior to air out.

If the odor persists alongside drainage, plumbing, or performance problems, seek professional help instead of repeatedly adding cleaning products. A clean, dry washer is more likely to keep the appliance and your laundry smelling fresh.

Why Your Washing Machine Smells Musty and How to Clean It