Most people don't take enough care of the cleanliness of their washing machines. There is a common belief that if you put laundry detergent mixed with water in it, you don't need to pay much attention to its maintenance.
Every household appliance, when new, works almost flawlessly. By the way, a washing machine also needs to be maintained frequently, not only to extend its service life, but also to prevent the formation of unpleasant odors. Their appearance neutralizes the effect of the washing powder.
The causes of a bad smell from the washing machine
Over time, dirt begins to accumulate in the appliance. Residues of detergents are deposited inside, accumulating undissolved detergents which subsequently begin to smell unpleasant and turn into mold. The smell from the washing machine is also influenced by poor-quality maintenance of the drum, which must be ventilated frequently.
Constant use of the washing machine leads to the accumulation of dirt, which is a suitable environment for the appearance of bacteria. The humidity inside the appliance favors their reproduction. Bacteria are indicated as the main causes of the appearance of a bad smell from the laundry room. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, it begins to seep into the clothes.
The main elements of the washing machine that are susceptible to contamination and deserve better maintenance are:
- The detergent drawer;
- The drum;
- The drum seal;
- The filter;
Experts recommend that appliances undergo a thorough cleaning at least three times a year. First of all, such preventive maintenance extends the life of washing machines. In addition, cleaning prevents the appearance of unpleasant odors.
There are also some specific signs of a washing machine malfunction that you should pay attention to. They are also among the most commonly cited reasons for the appearance of a bad odor from the appliance.
Some washing machines do not heat the water , as they have a technical problem, but before calling a technician, we can check if the washing machine is heating by running it empty at high temperatures and waiting 30 minutes from the start of the program to feel heat on the glass. If there is no heat, this leads to poor dissolution of the detergents. They, in turn, are deposited inside the appliance.
Another reason cited by washing machine maintenance specialists is the rubber seal. Quite a few appliances do not work effectively precisely because of its depreciation. Cleaning the seal does not solve the problem, when the bad smell has already appeared, our advice is to replace the rubber sleeve because it has leaked.
The maintenance of the drum and the seal is similar. You should not forget that their cleaning can be done with the appropriate washing machine cleaning products. Almost the same products are used to clean the drum and the rubber seal. For better results, it is recommended to frequently use washing machine descalers that are designed for this type of problem . They remove limescale and dirt from the inside of the appliance.
In addition, most washing machines have programs where you can run a special self-cleaning program and put the laundry in advance, or, if the washing machine does not have a "Self-Cleaning" program, put detergent in the drawer and run it at temperatures above 60 degrees for an hour and a half so that the detergent can interact with the deposits.
The program achieves a more thorough cleaning of the drum. After its end, you can start a shorter operating mode to completely rinse the dirt inside.
Last but not least, the appearance of a bad smell from the washing machine is also due to the filter. Quite often, color-absorbing wipes used in washing or shoe insoles and other objects accidentally get stuck there and prevent the water from draining completely.
