An unpleasant smell coming from the washing machine is the first signal of danger, problems and violation of the washing or operating rules of the washing machine. Let's consider the technical and operational reasons for the occurrence of an unpleasant “aroma” in an automatic washing machine.
Causes of unpleasant odor in the washing machine
- storing dirty laundry in a drum;
- clogging of the drain tank;
- room humidity;
- excessive use of detergents;
- stagnant dirt in the “folds” of the washing machine hatch;
- dirty laundry detergent tray;
- water that remains in the machine after washing;
- drain filter clogged with debris;
- the drain hose has expired;
- adhesion of dirt and plaque to machine parts;
- problems with sewerage, improper location of the washing machine;
- low-quality washing powder that rots on the walls of household appliances;
- contamination of the channel for supplying the washing mixture.
What are fungi and how do they appear? As you know, fungi and microbes are activated in a wet environment, this contributes to their proliferation. Fungi in themselves are not dangerous to human health, but they emit an odor, especially in unventilated and musty rooms, and also produce microtoxins, which, when they enter the body, have a bad effect on it.
For example, your child has allergic reactions, choking, or a cough that does not go away for a long time. This may be caused by fungi. One of the common factors causing fungal odors is moisture.Therefore, it would be better to place the washing machine not in a wet room - the bathtub, but in a dry one - in the kitchen.
Another factor in the occurrence of an “unpleasant odor” is the incorrect connection of the washing machine. It may be that water from the sewer gets inside the equipment, and thus contributes to the growth of fungi. If fungi have appeared in the washing machine, then after washing the clothes will not smell fresh.
Ways to remove unpleasant odors
It’s easier to maintain hygiene and preventive maintenance for an automatic machine than to try to remove fungal deposits in it using all sorts of methods. These microbes are very resistant to influence; they multiply not only in those places where we can see, but also inside in all details. These methods can be used both for prevention and for removing unpleasant odors.
- Once a month, turn the mode to 90 degrees. At high temperatures, the fungal microbe disappears; this action will not allow it to multiply.
- Reduce the use of liquid washing powders or dilute them in a lower concentration. A large amount of washing mixture settles on the walls of household appliances and becomes a source of mold.
- Treat your washing machine with citric acid at high temperature once every six months. Nowadays, there is a wide range of chemicals for removing fungus. Consult a household appliance store and find out everything about the details of your machine, which cleaner is suitable for the brand of washing machine.
- You can apply a mixture of copper sulfate (50%) to the rubber cuff and wash it after a day. If you thoroughly dry the centrifuge with a towel after each wash, it is unlikely that mold will grow there.
- Folk recipe: dilute vinegar with water by half in one liter and pour through a tray. Turn on the boiling mode. Clean the tray thoroughly.
- Check the washing mode to see if it is set correctly. Modern washing machines are designed for washing at low temperatures, and this promotes the growth of bacteria and the appearance of plaque on the walls of the machine. If you choose a 60-degree mode, there is no certainty that all bacteria will die and the washing machine can heat the water to this temperature. Some manufacturers create premium household appliances using minimal costs for heating water.
- If the above methods do not justify themselves, then call a technician, disassemble the machine and treat all parts with soda dissolved in water, or buy a special cleaning agent. The parts are also dried with an ultraviolet lamp. Do not forget to consult about cleaning the automatic machine, because the choice of cleaner can solely depend on the quality and brand of it. Use only certified and high-quality product!
Ten commandments for preventing washing machine hygiene
- The simplest rule is not to close the door after washing, leave it open to dry out the moisture. This action must be repeated with the washing powder tray. Stick it out.
- Wipe all rubber parts of the machine body with a towel. Don’t forget to look inside carefully to see if dirt has formed in the “folds” of the hatch, or if the tray is clean and dry, and what condition is the channel for supplying washing powder.
- We ventilate the room, make ventilation, install a hood. If available, install a radiator in the bathroom to dry the air.
- Never put dirty laundry in the machine drum; there is a clothes basket for that.
- The reason does not always lie in technology. Change the detergent or fabric softener you are using. If you have poured a large amount of liquid washing powder, an unpleasant odor may appear from the machine. Excessive use of detergents does not guarantee high-quality washing; the machine cannot cope with large amounts of foam. Sticking to parts occurs. Turn on the extra intensive rinse mode.
- If your household appliances have been in use for a long time, be sure to change the drain hose, which will be a source of unpleasant odors and bacterial growth.
- Make sure there is no water remaining in the tank after the washing process. Perhaps the cause of the unpleasant odor lies in the improper connection of the drain.
- A common cause of unpleasant odors can be an uncleaned filter. This is a part that is located on the front panel at the bottom of the washing machine body, 5–7 centimeters in diameter. A dirty filter media can also be a breeding ground for bacteria, creating a stink. If you unscrew the part yourself, water may pour out (about 500 grams). Call a technician to clean the filter because doing it yourself is dirty and troublesome.
- Sometimes the source of an unpleasant odor is a water heater, heating element, or more precisely, hair and pieces of garbage that rot and emit an unpleasant odor. It is recommended to pour three tablespoons of citric acid into the powder tray and turn it on at high temperature. There are cases where an unpleasant odor appears after cleaning a washing machine. These are the parts that have fallen behind the drum or heating element. In this case, perform preventative cleaning again.
- Place baking soda inside the drum. This method makes it possible to remove bad smells from the machine.
Thus, it is necessary to check the technical and operational factors for the occurrence of an unpleasant odor in the automatic washing machine.
If you have problems on the technical side, you should definitely contact a specialist in equipment repair. Perhaps he will help replace an unsuitable part, a cuff for the loading hatch, an old drain hose or tray, install a new pump, change the heater, and fix problems with the filter and sewerage.
