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Remove wet laundry promptly, leave the washer door or lid open between loads, and leave the detergent drawer open if your model allows it. Use the detergent type and amount specified for your washer, then run its designated cleaning cycle on the schedule in the owner’s manual. These habits help the drum and other damp areas dry and limit residue that can contribute to musty odors.
Why does a washing machine smell musty between loads?
Moisture and detergent or softener residue can linger in the drum, dispenser, or—on front-loaders—the folds of the door seal. A closed washer stays damp longer, while wet clothes left inside add more moisture. Samsung also lists a dirty pump filter and drain-hose setup among possible odor contributors. The exact cause and cleaning procedure depend on the washer model.
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What to do after every load
- Take clothes out promptly. Do not leave damp laundry sitting in the drum.
- Let the washer air out. Leave the door or lid open between loads. LG and Samsung also advise leaving the detergent drawer open so moisture can evaporate, if your model permits it. Whirlpool says leaving the door open helps avoid odor-causing residue buildup.
- Wipe the front-loader seal. If you have a front-load washer, dry moisture on the door and gasket, checking the folds where water can collect. Follow the manual for cleaning the seal.
Use detergent correctly and clean the washer regularly
Use the detergent type required by your washer, including HE detergent where specified, and measure the amount recommended for the load. More detergent is not necessarily better: excess detergent or softener can leave residue associated with odor. Follow both the washer manual and the detergent label.
Run the washer’s own Clean Washer, Tub Clean, or Self Clean cycle according to the owner’s manual. Recommendations vary by manufacturer and model: Whirlpool recommends its Clean Washer cycle approximately once a month, while Samsung describes Self Clean as generally about monthly or every 30–40 loads. These are manufacturer maintenance recommendations, not a guarantee that a particular interval will prevent every odor.
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A washer-cleaner tablet is an optional choice only if the washer’s instructions allow it. Whirlpool names affresh, and Samsung gives Tide Washing Machine Cleaner as an example; placement and cycle instructions can differ. Put a cleaner in the dispenser only if the specific instructions say to. Do not add laundry to a cleaning cycle that the manual says must run with an empty washer. Whirlpool also does not recommend vinegar as a washer-cleaning product, citing possible component damage over time; that is Whirlpool’s guidance, not a universal rule for every brand.
Where to check if the smell persists
- Detergent drawer: Check for moisture or residue and clean it as directed for your model.
- Front-load door seal: Inspect the folds for trapped water, residue, or visible mold; use the manufacturer’s cleaning method.
- Pump filter: Samsung identifies an unclean front-load pump filter as a possible odor source. Access and cleaning steps vary, so use the manual.
- Drain hose and washer setup: Samsung lists drain-hose setup and leveling among issues worth checking when odor remains. Follow its model-specific troubleshooting instructions.
- Use and dosing: Confirm that wet clothes are not being left in the drum and that you are not using too much detergent or softener.
If mildew odor or visible mold remains after several cleaning attempts, Samsung advises contacting support. Consult your washer maker’s troubleshooting guide for persistent odor rather than repeating a cleaning method that is not specified for your model. Burning or sulfur/sewage smells are not ordinary musty odors and need their own troubleshooting path.
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Choose a cleaning method that matches your washer
Washer makers do not give one universal cleaning recipe. Before using a cleaner, bleach, or other product, check that the owner’s manual permits it for your model and cycle. Follow the specified placement and cycle, and do not combine bleach with other cleaners or chemicals. Manufacturer procedures for routine maintenance may also differ from those for visible mold.
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- TIME-RELEASE DEEP CLEAN. Affresh tablets are scientifically designed to deliver extended cleaning action throughout the wash cycle, helping power away bacteria, grime and soap scum deep inside the washing machine’s pump, drum and filter to help optimize performance.
- STINKY PET ODOR? Affresh washing machine cleaner helps remove residues that can trap odors from pets, sweat and mildew that can transfer onto clothes and sheets.
- ONE TABLET, ONCE A MONTH. Avoid the twice-monthly cleaning cycles of other appliance cleaners and cut your machine cleaning maintenance time in half.
- TRUSTED BY APPLIANCE EXPERTS. Backed by over 100 years of appliance innovation, affresh is the washing machine cleaner brand recommended by Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana.**
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