Funky smelling clothes? We’ve all been there. You pull a freshly washed load of laundry from the machine, only to find that your clothes still have a musty or unpleasant odor. Frustrating, right? While you might blame your detergent or fabric softener, the culprit could actually be your washing machine itself.
In this article, we will explore five common issues that can affect your washing machine’s performance and lead to smelly clothes. By understanding these issues and taking proactive steps to address them, you can ensure your laundry always comes out fresh and clean. We’ll also give you some tips on how to keep your machine clean and knowing when to hire a washing machine cleaning service to help you out.
Let’s dive in!
Detergent Buildup: A Foamy Foe
One of the most common culprits of smelly clothes is detergent buildup. Over time, the use of detergent can lead to excessive suds, which can trap dirt and bacteria within the washing machine. This excess soap can also leave behind a film of soap scum on your clothes, making them feel stiff and smell less than fresh.
Signs of detergent buildup include:
- Residue on clothes: You may notice a white residue on your clothes after washing, even after rinsing thoroughly. This residue can often feel stiff and crunchy on your skin and can also leave dark marks on dark-colored clothing.
- Musty smell: Detergent residue can create a musty or unpleasant odor in your washing machine. This odor can then transfer to your clothes, leaving them smelling less than fresh even after washing. You might also notice a musty smell coming from the washing machine itself, particularly around the gasket or detergent dispenser.
- Reduced washing machine performance: Excessive suds can interfere with the washing machine’s ability to agitate and rinse clothes properly. The machine may struggle to spin the clothes, leading to longer wash cycles and increased energy consumption. In some cases, excessive suds can even cause the washing machine to overflow.
Preventing detergent buildup is key:
- Use the correct amount of detergent: Refer to the detergent packaging instructions for dosage recommendations based on load size and water hardness.
- Consider using a high-efficiency (HE) detergent: These detergents are specifically formulated for high-efficiency washing machines and require less detergent to achieve effective cleaning.
By using the correct amount of detergent and avoiding excessive suds, you can prevent detergent buildup and ensure your clothes come out clean and fresh.
Hard Water Issues: A Mineral Menace
If you live in areas with hard water, you might be experiencing more than just smelly clothes. Hard water contains high levels of minerals like calcium and magnesium. While these minerals may not seem harmful, they can cause quite an impact on your washing machine’s performance and the cleanliness of your laundry.
How Hard Water Affects Your Washing Machine:
- Mineral Deposits: Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits on the interior of your washing machine, including the heating element, pipes, and sometimes on your clothes too.
- Reduced Cleaning Effectiveness: These mineral deposits can interfere with the cleaning process, making it harder for detergents to effectively remove dirt and grime from your clothes.
- Detergent Buildup: Hard water can react hand in hand with detergents, leading to increased soap scum and reduced rinsing efficiency.
Dealing with Hard Water Issues:
- Water Softeners: Installing a whole-house water softener is the most effective way to address hard water issues. Water softeners remove minerals from your water supply, improving the performance of your washing machine and protecting your plumbing system.
- Using Water Softeners in the Washing Machine: You can also use water softening products directly in your washing machine. These products help to reduce the impact of hard water on your laundry.
- Consider Using a Water Softening Detergent: Some detergents are specifically formulated to work effectively in hard water conditions. These detergents contain ingredients that help to prevent mineral buildup and improve cleaning performance.
While it may be hard to directly address hard water issues due to your location, there are still options you can use to help improve the situation. Next, we will be talking about mould and mildew and how it could affect your washing machine.
Mould and Mildew Growth: A Silent Threat
Washing machines, with their warm, damp environment, can become breeding grounds for mould and mildew. These microorganisms thrive in moist conditions and can quickly colonise parts of your washing machine.
Common areas for mould and mildew growth:
- The gasket: The gasket is the rubber element that seals the washing machine door to prevent water from coming out. It is also a prime spot for mould growth due to the constant exposure to moisture and detergent residue.
- The detergent dispenser: The detergent dispenser tray can trap detergent residue and moisture, creating a perfect environment for mould and mildew to flourish.
- Inside the washing machine drum: Mould and mildew can also grow on the walls of the washing machine drum, especially if the machine is not properly dried and the drum remains humid after each wash. Eventually, you would also need to rely on a professional cleaning service to help take apart your washing machine to clean the drum’s internals.
Health Implications:
Mould and mildew exposure can have significant health implications, especially for individuals with allergies or respiratory sensitivities. These microorganisms can release spores into the air, which can be inhaled and trigger:
- Respiratory issues: Such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and asthma attacks.
- Allergies: Mould and mildew exposure can worsen allergies, leading to symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes. This can be especially worse for individuals with existing allergic issues.
- Skin irritation: Direct contact with mould or mildew can cause skin irritation, rashes, and itching.
Preventing Mould and Mildew Growth:
- Leave the door or lid open: After each wash cycle, leave the washing machine door or lid open to allow air to circulate and help the machine dry completely.
- Clean the gasket regularly: Wipe down the rubber gasket around the door with a clean cloth and a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
- Clean the detergent dispenser: Remove the detergent dispenser and soak it in a solution of warm water and vinegar. Scrub away any residue and rinse thoroughly before reinstalling.
- Run a monthly cleaning cycle: Run an empty wash cycle with hot water and a cup of white vinegar to help eliminate mould and mildew.
Loading Problems: Overloaded With Laundry
Overloading your washing machine will more than likely cause performance issues and affect the cleanliness of your laundry. When the washing machine is overloaded, clothes have less room to move in the drum and agitate properly. This can lead to:
- Inadequate Cleaning: Overloaded machines may not be able to effectively remove dirt, grime, and stains from your clothes. The clothes may rub against each other instead of moving freely in the water, hindering the cleaning process.
- Increased Wear and Tear: Overloading can put extra strain on the washing machine’s motor and other components, potentially leading to premature wear and tear.
- Musty Smells: Overloaded machines can trap moisture and create a damp environment, which can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew. This can result in musty-smelling clothes, even after washing.
Avoiding this issue is easy – just load your washing machine properly:
- Check the manufacturer’s guidelines: Refer to your washing machine’s manual for specific loading recommendations. Often there will be a limit indicated on how much you can place inside your machine.
- Leave space for clothes to move: Avoid overfilling the drum. There should be enough space for the clothes to move freely during the wash cycle, so you should wash your clothes in batches where possible.
- Distribute the load evenly: Avoid overloading one side of the drum. Distribute the clothes evenly to ensure proper agitation and prevent your washing machine drum from getting damaged.
Unlike the other issues, you can freely control how much laundry you wash at a time. So remember – don’t push your poor washing machine to clean more than it can!
How to Wash Your Washing Machine: Keeping Your Appliance in Top Shape
Like all appliances and technology, regular maintenance is needed to ensure optimal performance and prevent future problems. It goes without saying that without it, you’re more than likely to experience all the issues listed above. To help you out, here are some best washing machine cleaning practices to keep in mind:
- Regular Cleaning:
- Monthly Cleaning: Most washing machines nowadays have a self-cleaning function to clean out the tub or drum. Run a monthly cleaning cycle using hot water and a cup of white vinegar. This helps to remove detergent residue, mineral deposits, and bacteria.
- DIY Cleaning: Utilise a solution of white vinegar and water to clean the detergent dispenser, gasket, and other areas of the washing machine. You can also consider using anti-bacterial wipes to clean off areas which may have mould growth.
- Check and Clean the Filter: As you wash clothes over time, your filter will pick up and filter out stray threads and other elements in the drum. Regularly check and clean the lint filter to prevent clogs and ensure proper drainage.
- Inspect Hoses and Connections: Regularly inspect the water supply hoses and drain hose for leaks, cracks, or signs of wear and tear.
- Professional Cleaning Services: For a thorough and professional cleaning, consider searching out to a cleaning company that offers washing machine cleaning services like WonderKlean. Our experienced technicians will deep clean your washing machine, removing stubborn grime, mold, and mildew.
So it’s simple – take regular care of your washing machine and your washing machine will take care of your clothes for you. Show it the TLC it needs to provide you with fresh smelling clothes every time!
Keeping Your Laundry Fresh and Your Washing Machine Healthy
So we’ve given you several factors that contribute to smelly clothes after washing and why cleaning your washing machine regularly is important, including:
- Detergent buildup,
- Hard water issues,
- Mold and mildew growth,
- Overloading the washing machine
- Irregular washing machine cleaning
By understanding these issues and taking proactive steps to address them, you can ensure that your laundry always comes out clean, fresh, and odor-free.
Looking for a professional washing machine cleaner to take the hassle out of your hands?
If you’re looking for a professional cleaning service to deep clean your washing machine and ensure optimal performance, consider WonderKlean. Our expert team will run a thorough cleaning procedure to address all the issues covered above and get your machine running as good as new!
Contact WonderKlean today for a free quote and experience the difference a professional cleaning service can make.
