Washing Machine - Laundry Room Smell / Odor

How to get rid of washing machine smell or laundry room foul odor. That STANK... has to go.

[lappinrappin]

In case others stumble upon this video be aware that if done incorrectly the instructions on this video will only yield temporary results. The key for me was to not shove the discharge hose all the way down the drain. In my case the discharge hose was IN the trap and would periodically push all water out of the trap. Sooo if you pour bleach down it and let it sit- sure it will work right now. But if you shove the hose way back down you will recreate the problem. The solution is to not show your hose all the way down. This will also eliminate mold and residue from it because it’s not in the water. It will fully dry out between washes.

Please think about the problem critically before thinking you solved it. I solved this on my own and then went searching for someone to explain the issue. That’s what lead me here.

[teslacybertruck]

There is a small door on the bottom left of the washer, and you'll see a small hose with a plug in it. You remove the plug and drain all that nasty water into a pan, that is where the smell comes from. I did it a couple days ago on my washer and the smell finally went away! I was concerned of having guests come over, since my house used to smell like poop because of it

[mattb]

I find that the smells come from the hoses and not the tub nor the drain in the wall. If you are doing laundry every week that water is flushed out. The whole point of that water is to stop sewer gases from coming up. Tubs dry out but the discharge hose and the hoses connected to the pump never dry out and mold. My washer smells and I was was replacing a part anyway so I ripped it apart to discover the smell. I smelled the discharge hose and it stunk, but it basically just connects to a hose connected to the pump and that hose smelled and so did the other. The washing bin itself had little to no odor. I spent $20 and an hour of my time and bought and installed 3 new hoses. All fixed. The problem with washing the hoses and not replacing them is how difficult they are to clean and since they are always damp, any bacteria in the hose grows back very quickly.

[BestoftheBest-ozei]

Wow, can't thank you enough. Our laundry room smelled horrid and I kept thinking it was the machine itself. Always kept the door & soap dispenser open and also wiped the gasket dry after each wash but it still smelled funky. Tried expensive washing machine cleaners which only masked the smell.

2 cups of bleach into the drain tube behind the washer and the smell was gone the next day.

[marczenkner]

Always love a simple and easily-explained solution to a problem. Thanks for taking your time to explain that.

[drmcki]

I hope it fixes my issue! I've cleaned the washer numerous times and always keep the lid up when not in use. My laundry room smells bad! Can't wait to smell the results!👍

[edwardtrickett]

I have a front loading washing machine, I am from the UK and they are more common here

Once a month, small amount of bleach in the prewash and main wash compartments of my machine

Hottest longest cycle possible

Then I put it on a cold 1 hour wash afterwards to make sure all the bleach is rinsed out

I then clean the pump filter on the bottom

I have had washing machines over 10 years old that don't have issues because I do this

is all you need, you don't need expensive washing machine cleaner

I live in a soft water area, if you live in a hard water area use a toilet cleaner designed to remove limescale, you only need a squirt, not much or you'll get too many suds

If I am using just bleach, I put my dish cloths in the machine too, it gets them wonderfully clean and the spinning action means that the outer drum gets a clean too with the bleach

Happy washing guys

[kimokahikolekalihi]

Never would have thought of that. Thanks! I'm gonna try it. Getting tired of the smell. I bought a washing machine cleaning product and it made no difference at all.

[rebeccadegracia]

Thanks, Doc! You saved us an expensive plumber visit! The smell is gone and I now have peace of mind.

[arielrodriguez]

Great video. My wife pointed out how after washing when the tub is empty there is like a mildew/sewer like smell. I will try the bleach method and leave the lid open for awhile after each wash. I had no idea the drain had a trap. Makes sense now, thank you!

[elainebenes]

Thanks Doc, thought it might have been the drain bleached it, but smell was still there, so thanks a million, your advice fixed the problem 🇦🇺

[szolina]

Great video, we actually have the same LG washer and dryer used in the video. After using many washer cleaning tablets and several 2 hour plus tub cleaning cycles. The bleach eliminated that funky odor immediately.

[scotsnead]

Yes, always lid up! I also use a quarter cup of 20 Mule Team Borax in every load keeps the machine and the drains smelling clean. Your clothes will be fresh too.

[IamthNight]

Thank you. The smell was making me paranoid.

[crystalblue]

Thank you, you were right on the money. The smell is completely gone from my laundry room now after pouring a cup of bleach down the drain pipe hole and letting it sit for a day, then doing a load of laundry.

[rolandwoltman]

Is it just me or isn't Doc's drain hose from the washing machine in to far? If it's reaching your p-trap it might be negating the standing water that keeps the sewer gas from entering your house Doc. You pouring the bleach in temporarily fixes that.

[loving_lioness]

This is the 1st time I've experienced this issue! I actually thought it was my neighbors laundry room that's back to back with ours. Thank you! I'll try it riiighhhht NOW! Will update in a day or 2!

[Cjsparkleslots]

THANK YOU!! We just about took our washing machine apart to look for mold underneath the drum! Who knew pouring bleach down the drain would be the solution?! So grateful I found your video.

[africanstar]

Omg!! Thank you so much! I was going crazy trying to figure out what was wrong.

[LLWW]

Have you seen people take apart their washing machines and see all the gunk under the drum?