How to clean a stinky washer and dryer?
Dryer smells when dryer is running stinks like old wet towels. Washer smells like mildew. Both I keep clean but the smells are coming after t he wash runs and thru the vents.
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Hi Adriana, have you cleaned the dryer vent lately? This link may help:
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/appliances/cleaning-your-dryer-duct-34795673
For your washer is it a front loader or top loader?
Cleaning Your Dryer Duct
washer is a front loader
Why your washing machine smells, and how to clean it
When we think of washing machines, we think of clean, fresh-smelling clothes. Laundry is supposed to have a comforting aroma—one that’s so well-loved that there are even colognes designed to mimic its scent.
But what do you do when your front-load washer, well... stinks?
Before you resign yourself to a musty, mildewy, sour-scented existence, consider this: Your washer probably isn’t defective—it just needs some TLC. A few simple steps could help eliminate that stench forever.
That’s right, my friends: It’s all smooth, fresh-smelling sailing from here on out. Grab your hampers, keep your heads high, and scrub stinky clothes from your life for good.
Why your front-loader stinks
I took an in-depth look at the relative performance of front- and top-load washers, and found that front-loaders are superior in virtually every way. That came as no surprise, since front-loaders are designed not only to be more efficient, but also to be gentler on clothes while cleaning them better.
But it's that efficiency part that can cause some headaches when it comes to smell. See, high-efficiency front-loaders use a lot less water than their top-load counterparts, since they fill just the bottom of the wash tub with water. Since the drum rotates on a horizontal axis, your clothes tumble through the water, eliminating the need to fill the tub up all the way.
That's all fine and dandy if you use high-efficiency detergents, but when you douse your laundry with the wrong kinds of soap and softeners, the smaller amount of water can’t fully rinse them away. The drum ends up getting coated with a layer of soap scum, which is itself peppered with debris and dirt from your clothing. In the heat and damp of your washer, this scum makes a happy home for mildew, bacteria, and mold.
The stinky situation is compounded by the fact that front-load washers use a rubber door gasket to keep water from leaking out. Dirt, soap, and bits of fabric can get trapped under the gasket, creating yet another breeding ground for nasty smells.
How to get rid of that smell
1. Bring out the baking soda.
Your first inclination may be to reach for the bleach, but I prefer to use something a little gentler. I suggest mixing 1/4 cup of baking soda with an equivalent amount of water. Add this solution to your machine’s detergent container.
2. Bring out the vinegar.
Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum, then run a normal cycle at high heat—without any clothes, of course.
The baking soda and vinegar should break up any residue stuck to your drum and kill any mold that might be present. They’ll also help remove any foul odors.
3. Scrub away any remaining grime.
If stubborn spots remain, attack them with the rough side of a kitchen sponge and a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part water. Ta-dah, good as new!
You can repeat this cleaning method once a month for maintenance if you’d like, or try some other odor prevention techniques.
How to keep your front-loader fresh
Your washer is finally free of nasty odors, and you want to keep it that way. But how?
If you own a front-loader, you should always use detergents made for high-efficiency machines. Normal detergents simply produce more suds than your front-loader can handle; less suds means less scum for stinky lifeforms to cling to. Liquid fabric softener is also off-limits for front-loading washing machines, so do yourself a favor and ditch it.
Once you’ve got the soap situation under control, it’s time to make sure the drum doesn’t stay damp for long periods of time. Always remove your laundry promptly after the cycle ends, and be sure to leave the door open when it’s not in use, so the moisture can escape.
You can also run a fan in the room where your washer lives to improve airflow, and consider investing in a dehumidifier. Remember: You don't want bacteria or mold to feel at home here, and nothing invites bad smells quite like wet, stagnant heat.
3. Clean the gasket.
Even with the correct detergent and anti-humidity efforts, there's no guarantee your washer drum won't develop some mold-friendly buildup. The rubber seal around the doors is especially problematic, so you should regularly remove any debris you see trapped in the gasket and wipe it down with a cleaning solution made of one part white vinegar and one part water.
Finally, be sure to dispose of any lint that may have accumulated in your machine’s drain trap filter. Once a week should do the trick.
1. Bring out the baking soda.
Your first inclination may be to reach for the bleach, but I prefer to use something a little gentler. I suggest mixing 1/4 cup of baking soda with an equivalent amount of water. Add this solution to your machine’s detergent container.
2. Bring out the vinegar.
Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum, then run a normal cycle at high heat—without any clothes, of course.
The baking soda and vinegar should break up any residue stuck to your drum and kill any mold that might be present. They’ll also help remove any foul odors.
3. Scrub away any remaining grime.
If stubborn spots remain, attack them with the rough side of a kitchen sponge and a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part water. Ta-dah, good as new!
You can repeat this cleaning method once a month for maintenance if you’d like, or try some other odor prevention techniques.
How to keep your front-loader fresh
Your washer is finally free of nasty odors, and you want to keep it that way. But how?
1. Break up with your old detergent.
If you own a front-loader, you should always use detergents made for high-efficiency machines. Normal detergents simply produce more suds than your front-loader can handle; less suds means less scum for stinky lifeforms to cling to. Liquid fabric softener is also off-limits for front-loading washing machines, so do yourself a favor and ditch it.
2. Keep the drum dry
Once you’ve got the soap situation under control, it’s time to make sure the drum doesn’t stay damp for long periods of time. Always remove your laundry promptly after the cycle ends, and be sure to leave the door open when it’s not in use, so the moisture can escape.
You can also run a fan in the room where your washer lives to improve airflow, and consider investing in a dehumidifier. Remember: You don't want bacteria or mold to feel at home here, and nothing invites bad smells quite like wet, stagnant heat.
3. Clean the gasket.
Even with the correct detergent and anti-humidity efforts, there's no guarantee your washer drum won't develop some mold-friendly buildup. The rubber seal around the doors is especially problematic, so you should regularly remove any debris you see trapped in the gasket and wipe it down with a cleaning solution made of one part white vinegar and one part water.
Finally, be sure to dispose of any lint that may have accumulated in your machine’s drain trap filter. Once a week should do the trick.
How to Get Rid of Odor in a Dryer | Hunker
How To Clean A Smelly HE Washer » Housewife How-Tos®
See full list on housewifehowtos.com
Online, there are a lot of tips, some repeated here. Make sure the bottom part of the washer is cleaned out every 3 months or so. It's kind of a water trap (not the gasket area). If you do not have the manual that came with your appliances, look online, most all are there.
Hi Adriana - This is a great step-by step article on how to clean your washing machine and get the stinky smells out - regardless of whether it's HE, top or front loading. Hope this helps and happy laundry day! Hugs, Holly
https://pinkfortitude.com/clean-your-washing-machine/
PS - We have a FREE eBook with recipes for all of my homemade and all-natural cleaners. You can download it here --> https://pinkfortitude.com/thank#GreenClean
I like using the tide wash machine cleaner. And be sure all old lint is out of your dryer.
Certain front load washers have Recall on their door gaskets and I would certainly look into that.
My front load has a Cleaning Cycle and I alternate what I use in there between bleach, vinegar and peroxide. I clean it about every 20 loads.
Yes, hand clean the gasket.
The dryer’s front panel, taken off, will reveal lint that missed the trap.
The lint trap should be taken out an a fine hose extension on a shop vac will find more missed lint.
I would run a bleach cycle
Make shure to leave the washer door open after the wash is done to dry out get a product called Afresh and follow directions so you could clean the washer the dryer try soaking a towel in some baking soda mixed in water then throw it in the dryer and let it dry in there see if that helps
The dryer I'm not sure but an empty cycle with bleach or vinegar will help out the washer. If it's a front loader, you'll need to prop it open between uses.