Cheap cleaner for washing machine smell

1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup vinegar with a small load setting of hot water.

White vinegar. Run your cycle or clean cycle with two cups. Link attached also adds baking soda. I have done both ways it works. Hope this helps

http://laundry.reviewed.com/features/why-your-washing-machine-smells-and-how-to-clean-it

I would go with the white vinegar.

Once you get your washer clea, leave the door open after each load so it can dry out inside. That will prevent smells.

After finishing the laundry, leave the door open so the inside will air dry. Works for me.

Run it through a full cycle with vinegar.

When I got my new front load washer, the delivery man told me he uses powered Tang (yes the astronauts drink) in his washer once a month. He said to run it on the tub clean cycle. I keep the door open when the washer isn't being used and don't have a problem. I've never tried the Tang, but I guess it's worth a try.

Front loaders have a rubber “flap” around the opening that gets grungy inside.

I put 1/2 cup of borax in my front loader with my towels once a month, keeps the machine nice and clean.

The smell usually comes from under the rubber flap around the inside of the door if the machine is a front loading one. If that isn't cleaned, all the other cleansers in the washer full of water probably won't help much.

I use vinegar in every load instead of fabric softener, and leave the door open when I'm done. I've never had a problem with smell.

I misstated that placement of the rubber flap; the flap is in the opening of the machine itself. If you lift it up, you will see what I am talking about. Yukkie.

Here is a step by step way to clean it from right here on Hometalk: https://www.hometalk.com/posts/clean/appliances/how-to-clean-your-washing-machine-using-vinegar-and-baking-soda-21697626