There’s something deeply frustrating about pulling freshly washed clothes out of the machine, only to be hit with a wave of musty, sour stench.
It doesn’t just ruin your mood, it clings to your fabrics, making your entire laundry effort feel pointless.
If you’ve noticed a lingering odour coming from your washer, you’re not alone.
This is one of the most common complaints from households across the UK, especially in homes where the washing machine gets heavy use or sits in a tight, poorly ventilated space.
And no, you don’t need to call a plumber or replace the machine just yet. What you need is to understand why that smell appears, and more importantly, how to get rid of it, for good.
While there could be plenty of reasons as to why your washing machine drain smells, we have narrowed down the 5 most effective ways to fix it.
Let’s get started.
1. Start by cleaning the drain filter
The drain filter sits quietly behind a small flap at the bottom of most front-loading washing machines. It’s easy to forget it’s even there, until your washer starts to smell like something died inside it.
The filter’s job is to catch lint, fabric strands, coins, hairpins, and whatever else you unknowingly wash with your clothes.
But over time, this trap starts to clog. What’s worse, the debris in there stays wet. That standing moisture becomes a petri dish of bacteria, mould, and mildew, which eventually starts releasing that foul, damp odour.
Whirlpool UK reports that over a quarter of washing machine odour cases are directly tied to clogged washing machine filters.
The issue isn’t just the smell. It also puts pressure on your drainage pump, which can reduce efficiency or even trigger error codes.
Here’s how you fix it.
- First, unplug the machine.
- Open the bottom access panel, usually at the front, and place a towel or shallow tray underneath, because water will spill out.
- Twist the filter cap slowly, let the water drain, then pull the entire piece out.
- You’ll likely find a collection of lint, murky water, and maybe a stray sock.
- Rinse the filter under hot water, scrub off anything stubborn, then wipe the inside of the compartment before reinserting it.
Doing this once every couple of months keeps the drain flowing and prevents trapped moisture. If you’re also a pet owner or do heavy laundry often, make this a monthly habit.
Also Read: Washing Machine Repair Guide
2. Run a hot empty wash with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
It’s no secret that modern households lean towards cold washes. They’re more energy-efficient, they’re gentler on clothes, and they save money.
But here’s the catch: cold water doesn’t dissolve detergent residue very well.
Over time, this leftover residue combines with body oils, dirt, and moisture to form a greasy film inside your drum, hoses, and pipes. This is where bacteria settle in. It also leaks to the washing machine drum not spinning properly.
A study from the University of Leeds found that machines running below 40°C showed significantly higher microbial buildup, up to 62% more, than machines that regularly ran hotter cycles. So if your machine hasn’t seen a hot wash in months, it’s probably due for a purge.
The fix is simple, natural, and surprisingly effective.
- Pour 250ml of white vinegar directly into the drum.
- Then add two heaped tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda into the detergent drawer.
- Set your washer to a 90°C cycle (or the hottest your machine allows) and let it run empty.
- The vinegar kills bacteria and dissolves limescale, while the soda neutralises odours and clears out residue.
Once the cycle is done, you’ll likely notice the drum smells noticeably fresher. This isn’t a once-and-done fix, though. Repeat it every month or two, depending on how frequently you use your machine.
3. Inspect and clean the drain hose
If your washer still smells despite a clean filter and a hot cycle, the problem might lie deeper.
The drain hose runs from the back of your machine to the household plumbing, and it’s one of the most neglected components.
It’s also one of the easiest places for water to stagnate and bacteria to thrive. Especially in UK homes where space is tight, hoses are often bent or looped incorrectly, causing water to sit inside the line instead of draining completely. Over time, that leads to trapped smells that creep back into your drum.
- Start by pulling the machine out carefully and unplugging it.
- Locate the hose at the back and disconnect both ends, where it meets the washer and where it drains into the wall or under-sink pipe. If water spills out, that’s a sign your hose wasn’t draining fully.
- Flush the hose using your garden hose or a power spray from the sink. If you notice gunk or buildup, soak the hose in a warm vinegar solution and use a long bottle brush or pipe cleaner to scrub it clean.
- Once it’s rinsed and dried, reinstall it properly.
- Make sure the hose loops up and over before connecting to the drain pipe. If it drops straight down without a loop, water will always pool at the bottom, and so will the smell.
This step takes a bit of effort, but it’s one of the most effective long-term fixes you can do.
4. Clean the door seal and the detergent drawer
You wouldn’t wash your dishes and then leave soggy food in the dishwasher tray for a week. But that’s exactly what happens when you ignore the detergent drawer and rubber door seal on your washing machine. It also leads to leaking water in washing machines, which is a problem of its own.
These are high-moisture zones that trap detergent residue, fabric softener, and lint—and they’re often the first places mould begins to grow.
To clean the detergent drawer, pull it out completely.
- Check your manual if it feels stuck.
- Soak it in warm, soapy water with a splash of vinegar.
- Use a toothbrush or bottle brush to get into the corners. Don’t forget to clean the cavity it slides into; it’s often caked with residue.
- Next, focus on the door seal. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then use a soft cloth or toothbrush to scrub around the entire gasket.
- Pay close attention to the inner folds—this is where grime hides. You might even find black spots or slime, which is early-stage mould.
- Wipe it dry and leave the door open to air out when you’re done.
This process doesn’t just kill odours, it also keeps your clothes from smelling like mildew straight out of the wash.
5. Let your machine breathe
Finally, let’s talk about something so basic it’s often dismissed as unnecessary: airflow.
The vast majority of washing machine smells don’t come from what’s inside the drum, they come from what’s left behind after the cycle ends. Damp air. Warm temperatures. Sealed doors.
These are the perfect conditions for microbial growth. And if you shut your machine tight after every wash, you’re trapping that environment in and giving bacteria the green light.
Mould spores can start forming in as little as 48 hours when conditions are right. That means even if your washer is spotless inside, keeping the door sealed shuts in the moisture that bacteria thrive on.
Here’s what to do:
- Leave the machine door slightly open after each wash.
- Pull out the dispenser drawer so it can dry.
- Wipe down any visible water in the drum or seal.
- If your laundry room is humid or windowless, consider placing a small moisture absorber or dehumidifier nearby.
If your washing machine’s drain smell is persistent, you can also consider using a commercial drain odour eliminator. These products are specifically formulated to target and neutralise unpleasant odours originating from the drain system.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application, and use these products as a supplementary measure to your regular cleaning routine.
Conclusion
A smelly washing machine isn’t a freak incident.
It’s usually the result of skipped maintenance and everyday habits that encourage mould, mildew, and bacteria to flourish. But the good news is, you can fix it without a technician, expensive chemicals, or replacing your unit.
Maintaining a fresh-smelling washing machine drain is essential for a clean and inviting laundry space.
Most importantly, when your laundry room is performing well, you’re also automatically more efficient.
This is why for any appliance repairs, you can reach out to Georgi’s Services at 07729 435106, and we would love to give you a price estimation, regardless of whether you are in our service area.
We highly recommend checking out our prices.
And if you need a washing machine repair right away, you can contact us.