Washing Machine Smells Like Mildew? The Cleaning Cycle That Works
A mildew smell comes from damp, soap film and a closed door. Wipe the seal, run a hot cleaning cycle, then keep a monthly tablet routine so it stays gone.
By Jamilur Rahman Updated November 5, 2026 · 7 min read
- Time
- 30 min + 1 cycle
- Cost
- Under $20
- Difficulty
- Easy
In this guide
Quick answer
A mildew smell comes from damp, soap residue and bacteria in the door seal, detergent drawer and drum. Wipe the seal, clean the drawer and run an empty hot cleaning cycle; a washer cleaner tablet dissolves the film a wipe cannot reach and turns that cycle into a one-step monthly habit. Leave the door ajar after every load.
Free fix vs. permanent fix
Wipe, scrub and run a hot empty cycle
- Wipe every fold of the door seal with soapy water
- Scrub the detergent drawer and its slot
- Run the hottest, longest cycle with nothing inside
- Leave the door and drawer ajar after every load
How long it lasts: The smell fades for a few weeks. It returns if the drum stays damp or the film builds up again.
Washer cleaner tablets, once a month
The slimy film inside the drum, hoses and pump is what feeds the smell, and you cannot scrub it by hand. A tablet in a hot empty cycle dissolves it, and one tablet a month is easier to keep up than a home mix.
What to get: Washing machine cleaner tablets
How long it lasts: A month at a time. It is a routine, not a one-off, and it only works alongside a dry drum.
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What you'll need
-
Warm water and dish soap
For the seal and the drawer
Free -
Rubber gloves
For the bleach wipe; open a window
You have it -
Old toothbrush
For the drawer slot and seal folds
You have it - Our pick Illustration
Washer cleaner tablet
One per hot empty cycle; match your washer type
- Illustration
Detail brush set for seals and drawers
Only if an old toothbrush will not reach the seal folds
- Illustration
Washer door stopper
Only if you keep forgetting to leave the door ajar
Why it happens
Water trapped in the door seal
Front-load washers hold a ring of water in the rubber folds after each load. With the door shut it never dries, and mildew grows there first.
Too much detergent or softener
Extra soap does not rinse out fully. It leaves a slimy film on the drum and hoses that feeds mildew. High-efficiency washers need far less soap than many people use.
Cold, short washes and a closed door
Cold water does not break down body oils and soap film, and a closed, wet drum stays damp for days between loads.
A dirty drain filter or hose
Lint, hair and old water collect in the pump filter and drain hose. That gives off a rotten-egg or sewer-like smell that no drum scrub removes.
Try this first (free)
Do these in order, starting with the simplest.
-
Wipe the door seal and glass
Tool used: Warm water and dish soapPull the rubber seal back and wipe every fold with warm water and a little dish soap. For black spots, wipe with a cloth dipped in about 1 cup of bleach per gallon of water. Wear gloves, open a window and rinse with a damp cloth. Never mix bleach with another cleaner.
-
Clean the detergent drawer
Tool used: Old toothbrushPull the drawer out, soak it in hot water and scrub it with an old toothbrush. Wipe the empty slot too, since mildew often grows at the back.
-
Run a hot cleaning cycle with nothing inside
Tool used: Washer cleaner tabletUse the Tub Clean or Clean Washer cycle if you have one. Add one washer cleaner tablet, or whichever cleaner your manual names, and no clothes. With no special cycle, run the hottest, longest one. Use only one cleaner per cycle.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Washer cleaner tablet · One per hot empty cycle; match your washer type
-
Clear the drain pump filter
Many front-loaders have a small filter behind a panel on the lower front. Put towels and a shallow pan down, turn it open slowly and clear lint, hair and coins. Check your manual first.
-
Dry it out after every load
Tool used: Washer door stopperWipe the seal and leave the door and drawer open a crack. A stopper holds the door if you keep forgetting, but shut it when kids or pets are near, since an open drum is a climb-in hazard.
IllustrationCheck price on AmazonTool for this step
Washer door stopper · Only if you keep forgetting to leave the door ajar
-
Use less soap, and wash hot sometimes
Measure HE detergent to the line and skip extra softener. Run a hot cycle or the tub-clean cycle about once a month.
When free fixes aren't enough
If the smell is gone after the cycle and stays gone with the door ajar, you are done. It usually returns within weeks when the film in the drum, hoses and pump builds back, especially with cold washes or extra soap. A tablet run once a month keeps that film from building, and it is easier than mixing your own. A tablet will not fix a rotten-egg or sewer smell, though. That points to the drain, not the drum.
Buy the fix
Still stuck after the free fixes? These are the products we would look at.
| Pick | Product | Fixes | Who it's for | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best pick | Washing machine cleaner tablets | the film inside the drum and hoses that feeds the smell | Anyone whose washer smells even after a wipe-down, or who wants a simple monthly routine. | Check price |
| Budget pick | Small detail brush set for seals and drawers | slime in the seal folds and the detergent drawer slot | People who scrub the seal and drawer every few weeks. | Check price |
| Upgrade pick | Washer door prop or stopper | a closed, wet drum that never dries | People who forget to leave the door ajar. | Check price |
Washing machine cleaner tablets
Fixes: the film inside the drum and hoses that feeds the smell
Look for: Works in your type of washer, front load or top load; Pre-measured tablets, one per cycle; Safe for high-efficiency washers.
- Who it's for
- Anyone whose washer smells even after a wipe-down, or who wants a simple monthly routine.
- Honest downside
- Your manual names a different cleaner. Follow the maker's advice and never mix cleaners.
Small detail brush set for seals and drawers
Fixes: slime in the seal folds and the detergent drawer slot
Look for: Narrow bristles that reach into rubber folds; Stiff but not wire, so they will not tear the seal.
- Who it's for
- People who scrub the seal and drawer every few weeks.
- Honest downside
- An old toothbrush does the job for you. This is only a convenience.
Washer door prop or stopper
Fixes: a closed, wet drum that never dries
Look for: Holds the door a few inches open; Fits your door and the wall or cabinet beside it.
- Who it's for
- People who forget to leave the door ajar.
- Honest downside
- You have small children or pets. An open drum is a climb-in hazard, so keep the door shut when no adult is near.
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How we picked: How we picked: this page is based on washer manuals and care guides from the makers, which describe cleaning cycles and cleaner use, plus problems owners report in reviews. We do not test products by hand.
Front-load or top-load: where the smell hides
Front-load: check the rubber door seal, the detergent drawer and the lower drain filter. Most of the smell comes from these.
Top-load: the problem is usually the underside of the agitator or the outer wall of the tub, which you cannot see. A hot tub-clean cycle with a cleaner reaches those spots. Prop the lid open between loads.
Never mix these cleaners
Bleach mixed with vinegar makes chlorine gas. Bleach mixed with ammonia makes a toxic gas too. Use one cleaner per cycle, run a plain rinse cycle before switching to a different one, and ventilate the room. Always read your manual first.
What to skip
Scented drops and masking sprays
Scent beads, sprays and extra softener cover the smell for a day while the mildew keeps growing. Skip scrubbing the drum with steel wool, since it can scratch the surface and leave more places for residue to cling.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean my washer with vinegar and baking soda?
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Why does my washer smell like rotten eggs?
Why does it still smell after I cleaned it?
Related problems
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