Problem Overflow

Smoke, smells and damp getting into your apartment, and how renters stop them.

Drain & sewer smells

The washing machine or its drain pipe smells

Easy · About 20 minutes

Where I am
Clean clothes come out smelling a bit sour, or the laundry area has a drain smell.
Where I want to be
A washer that smells like nothing.
What's in the way
Damp soap and lint build up inside, and the standpipe may be dry.

Try this first, free: Leave the washer door or lid open between loads so it can dry out.

The fix

  1. Wipe the rubber door seal on a front loader with a damp cloth, and rinse the detergent drawer.
  2. Run an empty hot cycle with a washing machine cleaner, following the label.
  3. Use only the recommended amount of detergent. Extra soap leaves residue.
  4. If the smell comes from the wall pipe behind the washer, pour a pitcher of water down it. The trap may be dry.

What this won't fully fix: A cleaning cycle clears the machine. If the smell comes from the wall pipe, it's the building's drain.

Safety first: Never mix bleach with vinegar or other cleaners. Use one at a time. If the smell stays, tell the landlord.

What to get

Washer cleaner on Amazon Microfiber cloths on Amazon

These open an Amazon search, so you can pick the one that fits. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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