A smelly washing machine is a bit like a smelly fridge, first you need to work out what is causing the smell and then you have to get rid of both the cause and the lingering odour.

Smelly causes

Working out what sort of smell it is, is the first step. Is it a chemical smell or a more organic smell? A chemical smell will probably be coming from the washing machine motor and other mechanical parts and may be the result of lubricant oil leaking from the motor or other moving parts. A musty or organic small means that there is a build-up of general grime inside the machine itself.

Smelly fixes

Again – just like with fridges – vinegar and bicarbonate of soda can be your best friends when cleaning up a smelly washing machine. To clean your washing machine, add two cups of white vinegar and two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to an empty washing machine and then run it through a full wash cycle on the hottest temperature setting. If it looks like you have some sort of lubricant leak or electrical problem, you will need to call a technician.

If this still doesn’t clear up the smell you will have to call in the professionals and get a washing machine repair or appliance repair service to take a look at it for you.