Why does my washing machine smell?

Wondering what's going on in there?

Where washer smells come from, in plain English

A washer smell almost always comes from one of three places: soap and dirt left damp inside the washer, the drain behind it, or the water coming in. The kind of smell points to which one.

Each number matches a step below.

The door seal. On a front-loader, the rubber seal (the door gasket) holds a little water after every wash. Hair, lint and soap collect in its folds.
The detergent drawer. Soap and softener leave a sticky film in the drawer and the slot behind it. Mold grows in that film.
The drum and the pump filter. Cold washes and too much soap leave a film inside the drum. Front-loaders also have a pump filter at the bottom front, where dirty water sits.
The drain. Dirty water goes out the drain hose into a pipe in the wall, the standpipe. Under it, a U-shaped bend (the trap) holds water that blocks sewer gas. A vent pipe lets air in so the trap stays full.
The water coming in. Hot and cold water come in through hoses at the back. If the water itself smells, the washer will too.

So the kind of smell points to the cause:

Musty or moldy: the seal, the drawer, a film inside, or a washer that never dries out. Usually a free fix.
Sewer: the drain. The hose may be pushed too far in, a trap may have dried out, or a vent may be blocked.
Rotten eggs: gas in the air, sulfur in the water, or drain water. Check the air first.
Burning: something rubbing too hard. Smoke or a hot plug means turn off the breaker.

Gas or water? Natural gas has no smell. Gas companies add one that smells like rotten eggs, and it hangs in the air even when no water runs. Sulfur in water (hydrogen sulfide) smells the same, but it comes out with the water. It's strongest at a faucet or when the washer fills. That's why the questions check the air first, then a glass of water away from the washer.

Water left in the drum, or it won't spin? See our guide to a washing machine that's not spinning or draining. Water heater trouble too? See a water heater that's not making hot water or a water heater that's leaking.

Smell sewage around the house, not just the washer? See our guide to a house that smells like sewer. Only the water smells like rotten eggs? See water that smells like rotten eggs. Water on the floor? See a washing machine that's leaking.

Who to call

Rather not do it yourself? Call a plumber.

That's a fine choice. Maybe you're busy. Maybe you're selling the house and just want it done right. A plumber can fix a drain or vent that makes the washer smell. For a moldy door seal, call an appliance repair tech.

$50–$250Plumber's service call

$230–$600New door seal

Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair.

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What to say

Calling a pro? Here's what to say.

A few lines to read when they pick up, and the questions to ask before anyone comes out.

Before you call

Under a year old? Call the maker first.

Store protection plan? Call them first.

4.5 stars or more, and works on your brand.

Say this

Hi. My washing machine smells bad, even after I clean it. When's the soonest you can get here? And what's your fee for the visit? Does it go toward the repair?

Always ask

What's your fee to come out, and does it go toward the repair?
Do you work on my brand, and can you bring the likely part on the first visit?
Will you tell me the full price before you start any work?

Watch out if

They push a brand-new appliance on the first visit for a small problem.
They won't give you a price before starting.
They want you to pay for parts before they've found the problem.

Feeling pushed to decide on the spot? You can say no and hang up. You owe nothing for a phone call.

Know what's wrong before they come

Answer up to 5 quick questions. We'll give you the words a pro uses.

Answer the questions →

More of a list person?

Common symptoms, causes, tests and costs

Find the row that sounds like your washer. The quick test is something you can check yourself in a few minutes.

What you notice	What it probably is	Quick test	Do it yourself	With a pro	Verdict
Musty smell; black spots, slime or hair in the door seal	Mildew in the door seal	Pull back the rubber seal and look in the folds	Free	$230–$600	FIXSee the answer: Mildew in the door seal
Slime or mold in the detergent or softener drawer	Gunk in the detergent drawer	Pull the drawer out and look in it and in its slot	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Gunk in the detergent drawer
Musty smell; the door stays shut, or wet clothes sit inside	Moisture trapped inside	Leave the door open for a day, then sniff	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Moisture trapped inside
Musty smell; heavy pours, regular detergent or softener every load	Too much soap, or the wrong kind	Check the bottle for the HE logo, and how much you pour	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Too much soap, or the wrong kind
Musty smell; mostly cold washes; the cleaning cycle is rarely run	A film of soap and dirt inside the washer	Run the cleaning cycle empty, then sniff the next day	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: A film of soap and dirt inside the washer
Front-loader; water left in the drum, or the smell comes back soon after cleaning	Clogged drain pump filter	Open the small door at the bottom front	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Clogged drain pump filter
Water left in the drum after the cycle ends	The washer isn't draining all the way	Look in the drum after a cycle ends	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The washer isn't draining all the way
Still smells after 2 or 3 cleaning cycles	Mold the cleaning cycle can't reach	Run the cleaning cycle 2 or 3 times	Pro job	$50–$600	CALLSee the answer: Mold the cleaning cycle can't reach
Sewer or rotten-egg smell in the drum; the hose goes deep into the pipe	The drain hose is pushed too far into the pipe	Pull the washer out and see how far the hose goes in	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The drain hose is pushed too far into the pipe
Drain smell in the room, even with the washer off	A dried-out drain trap	Pour a gallon of water down the drain and wait a day	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: A dried-out drain trap
Sewer smell keeps coming back; the drain gurgles as the washer empties	A missing trap or a blocked drain vent	Pour water down the drain. Does the smell come back within days?	Pro job	$50–$250	CALLSee the answer: A missing trap or a blocked drain vent
Water backs up out of the drain pipe or a floor drain	The house drain is clogged	Watch the drain pipe during Drain and Spin	Pro job	$100–$800	CALLSee the answer: The house drain is clogged
Rotten-egg smell in the air near a gas appliance, even with the washer off	You may have a gas leak	None. Leave the house	Pro job	$50–$250	CALLSee the answer: You may have a gas leak
Only the hot water smells like rotten eggs	The water heater is making the smell	Smell a glass of hot and a glass of cold water at a sink	Pro job	$50–$350	CALLSee the answer: The water heater is making the smell
Hot and cold water both smell like rotten eggs at a sink	Sulfur in your water supply	Smell a glass of hot and a glass of cold water	Pro job	$50–$250	CALLSee the answer: Sulfur in your water supply
Smoke, sparks, or a hot, scorched or melted plug or outlet	An electrical problem	None. Turn off the breaker, then unplug it	Pro job	$50–$130	CALLSee the answer: An electrical problem
A warm or rubber smell from a washer with fewer than about 20 loads	New washer smell	Count the loads it's done	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: New washer smell
Burning smell; something caught in the seal, the filter or the drum	Something stuck and rubbing	Look in the door seal, the drum and the pump filter	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: Something stuck and rubbing
Burning rubber smell with a packed or very heavy load	The washer was overloaded	Run Rinse and Spin with half the load	Free	Not needed	FIXSee the answer: The washer was overloaded
Hot or burning smell with a normal load; may hum, won't spin or won't drain	A worn belt, motor or drain pump	Run Rinse and Spin with half a load. Does the smell come back?	Pro job	$85–$700	CALLSee the answer: A worn belt, motor or drain pump

2026 U.S. averages, rounded. Pro prices include parts and labor. Most repair companies charge $60–$150 to come out, and many put that toward the repair. Nights, weekends and big cities cost more. See all repair prices

Want proof it's working?

The overnight test

This tells you whether the smell is inside the washer or in the drain behind it.

Run the cleaning cycle with the drum empty, using the cleaner your manual names.
Wipe the door seal and the drum dry. Leave the door or lid open overnight.
The next day, sniff the drum. Then sniff the pipe the drain hose goes into.

The smell is gone: it was buildup inside. Keep the door open and run the cleaning cycle once a month.
The washer smells fine, but the pipe smells: it's the drain. Pour a gallon of water down it.
It still smells inside after 2 or 3 cleaning cycles: take the questions at the top.

Not sure it's safe to keep running?

Turn it off right away if…

You smell rotten eggs in the air near a gas dryer, water heater or furnace, even with the washer off. Leave the house and call the gas company from outside.
You see smoke or sparks, or smell burning or hot wires.
The plug, cord or outlet feels hot, or looks scorched or melted.
Dirty water backs up out of the drain pipe, a sink or a floor drain.
A burning-rubber smell comes back with a normal load.

To turn it off, press Power or Cancel. If there's smoke or the plug is hot, turn off the washer's breaker first, then unplug it.

Got a big repair quote?

Should you repair it or replace it?

Most washer smells cost nothing to fix. The bigger bills are a new door seal, about $230–$600, a drain pump, about $150–$400, or a motor, about $300–$700. Ask yourself three things:

How old is it? The date is on the model sticker.
Is it under warranty? Most new washers have at least a 1-year warranty. Call the maker first.
The half rule. If the repair costs more than half the price of a new washer, get a replacement price too.

Example: a $250 door seal on a 4-year-old washer is worth doing. A $600 motor on an 11-year-old washer is worth comparing with a new one.

Ran into a word you don't know?

Washer smell words, explained

Tap through these before you go looking. The drawings show roughly what each part looks like.

Front-load washer: A washer with a round door on the front.
Top-load washer: A washer with a lid on top.
Door seal (door gasket): The rubber ring around a front-loader's door opening. It keeps water in, and it can hold mildew in its folds.
Detergent drawer: The pull-out drawer on top where the soap and softener go. Pros call it the dispenser.
Cleaning cycle: A setting that cleans the washer itself. It may be called Clean Washer, Tub Clean or Self Clean.
HE detergent: Detergent made for high-efficiency washers. It makes fewer suds.
Pump filter: On front-loaders, a filter behind a small door at the bottom front that catches socks, coins and lint.
Drain hose: The gray hose from the back of the washer to the drain.
Standpipe: The pipe in the wall or floor that the drain hose hooks into.
Drain trap (P-trap): A U-shaped bend under a drain. The water it holds blocks sewer gas from coming up.
Drain vent: A pipe that lets air into the drains, usually out through the roof. It keeps water flowing and the traps full.
Floor drain: A round drain in the floor of some laundry rooms and basements. It has a trap too.
Water heater: The tank that heats your home's water.
Anode rod: A metal rod inside a water heater's tank that protects it from rust. With some water, it can make a rotten-egg smell.
Hydrogen sulfide: A gas in some water, mostly well water, that smells like rotten eggs.
Breaker: A switch in your electrical panel that turns off power to one circuit. The washer's may be labeled Washer or Laundry.
Drive belt: A rubber belt that lets the motor turn the drum. A slipping belt can smell like burning rubber.
Drain pump: A small pump at the bottom that pushes the water out.
Model number: A code on a sticker under the lid, on the door frame or on the back. You need it to order the right part.

Still have questions?

Questions people ask most

Is a washing machine that smells an emergency?

A smelly washer usually isn't an emergency, but a rotten-egg smell near a gas appliance, smoke or a burning smell is. If the air smells like rotten eggs near a gas appliance, leave and call the gas company from outside. If you see smoke or smell burning, turn off the washer's breaker and unplug it. Mildew and drain smells can wait for the weekend.

Who do I call for a smelly washing machine?

Most washer smells are a free fix you can do yourself, so try the cleaning steps first. A washer repair company handles burning smells and mold that won't go away. A plumber handles sewer smells from the drain. The gas company handles a gas smell. Your water company, or a well pro, handles water that smells at every tap. Under a year old? Call the maker first.

Why does my washing machine smell like rotten eggs?

A rotten-egg smell from a washer usually comes from sulfur in the water, or from drain water flowing back into the washer. The sulfur is most often in the hot water, from the water heater. If it's worst while the washer fills, smell a glass of hot and a glass of cold water at a sink. If it's worst while it drains, check the drain hose and pipe (Minnesota Department of Health; Samsung). If the smell is in the air near a gas appliance, even with the washer off, treat it as a gas leak and leave.

Why does my washing machine smell like sewer?

A sewer smell usually means the drain hose is pushed too far into the wall pipe, a drain trap dried out, or the drain or vent is blocked. It's often worst while the washer drains (Samsung, Sears). Pour about a gallon of water down the pipe first. If the smell keeps coming back, call a plumber.

Why does my washer smell like mildew?

A mildew smell comes from moisture and soap left in the door seal, the detergent drawer or the tub. It's often because the door stays shut between loads (Whirlpool, LG).

Why does my washing machine smell like burning?

A burning or burning-rubber smell usually means a part is rubbing too hard. It may be an overloaded drum, something stuck, a worn belt, or a motor or pump that's wearing out (Fix.com, LG). If you see smoke or the plug feels hot, turn off the washer's breaker, then unplug it. New washers can smell warm for their first loads (Samsung, LG).

How do I get rid of the smell in my washing machine?

To get rid of a washer smell, run the cleaning cycle with the cleaner your manual names. Then wipe the door seal, clean the detergent drawer and leave the door open to dry (Maytag, Samsung).

How often should I clean my washing machine?

Run the cleaning cycle about once a month, or every 30 loads, whichever comes first. That's what Maytag says. LG says once a month, and Samsung says every 30 to 40 loads. Clean the detergent drawer about every 30 cycles too, Whirlpool says.

Can I clean my washing machine with vinegar?

Some makers allow vinegar and some don't, so check your manual first. Samsung allows vinegar in its Sanitize cycle on some models. Maytag names affresh or 1 cup of bleach. LG names an oxygen-based cleaner without chlorine. Never use vinegar and bleach together. Health Canada says bleach reacts with acids like vinegar.

Why do my clothes smell bad after washing?

Clothes usually smell after washing because they sat wet in the washer, or the load was too big to rinse well. Or the washer itself needs cleaning (Samsung, Whirlpool).

Why do front-load washers smell?

Front-load washers smell more often because the door seals tight and keeps moisture in. In a Consumer Reports survey, 17 percent of front-load owners reported mold or mildew, against 3 percent of top-load owners. Leaving the door open between loads helps (LG, Whirlpool).

Why does my washing machine still smell after cleaning?

A washer that still smells after a cleaning cycle often has a clogged pump filter, water left in the drum, or a smell coming up the drain. In that last case, the smell isn't from the washer at all. On a front-loader, clean the filter (LG, Samsung, Whirlpool). Pour about a gallon of water down the drain pipe too (Sears Home Services). Still smells after 2 or 3 cleaning cycles? Mold may be where the cycle can't reach, and LG says that needs service.

How we built this

The questions follow the order an appliance tech checks a smelly washer: the kind of smell, a gas safety check, the door seal, drawer and pump filter, how the washer gets used, the water coming in, the drain behind it, and the parts that can run hot. Each answer makes some causes more likely and others less likely.

Prices are 2026 national averages from published repair-cost guides, rounded. Your local prices will differ.

How we make money: some links go to parts stores that pay us a small commission, and some pro listings pay us when you call them. Verdicts come from the diagnosis, not from who pays more.