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To get rid of a musty washer smell, empty the machine and run its designated Tub Clean or Clean Washer cycle with only a cleaner permitted by your model’s manual. Clean accessible residue from the drawer, gasket and filter area as instructed, then leave the door and dispenser open to dry when it is safe to do so. If the smell remains after repeated, correctly performed cleaning cycles, contact the manufacturer or an appliance repair service.
Why a washing machine can smell musty
A washer odor is often associated with trapped moisture or residue, but smell alone does not prove that mold is present. Manufacturer guidance identifies several things to check:
- Wet laundry left in the drum after a cycle.
- A closed door or lid and detergent dispenser that keep moisture from drying out.
- Too much detergent or fabric softener, which can leave residue.
- A dirty drawer, gasket or other accessible area.
- Poor draining. LG notes that a clogged drain-pump filter can leave water in the drum and contribute to odor over time.
See LG’s odor and buildup troubleshooting guidance and Whirlpool’s washer odor troubleshooting page.
How to clean the washer safely
- Empty the washer. Remove laundry and visible debris. Run the cleaning cycle with no clothes inside; LG specifically cautions against leaving laundry in the drum during Tub Clean.
- Check the model’s instructions. Find the owner’s manual or manufacturer support page for the exact maintenance-cycle name, cleaner, placement and settings. Product chemistry and directions differ by brand and model.
- Run the designated cleaning cycle. Use the compatible washer cleaner according to both the manual and cleaner label. LG’s instructions give different placement directions for powder, liquid and tablet cleaners. Whirlpool documents its own Clean Washer procedure using an affresh washer-cleaner tablet or liquid chlorine bleach. Do not treat one brand’s procedure as a recipe for another.
- Clean accessible parts as directed. Remove residue from the detergent drawer and inspect the door gasket. If the manual permits, clean the drain-filter area; LG advises removing debris from the filter opening with a soft-bristle brush. Do not force parts apart or attempt unsafe disassembly.
- Let the machine dry. When the location and household safety allow, leave the door or lid and dispenser open after cleaning so moisture can evaporate.
LG’s LG Tub Clean instructions and Whirlpool’s Whirlpool Clean Washer instructions illustrate why checking the specific model matters.
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Which cleaner should you use?
There is no universal cleaner recommendation for every washer. LG’s current odor guidance recommends an oxygen-based drum cleaner and warns that chlorine bleach or acidic cleaners used on its Tub Clean cycle can discolor or corrode the washer interior. Whirlpool’s Clean Washer guidance describes a brand-specific procedure that uses affresh washer cleaner or liquid chlorine bleach. These directions are not interchangeable: follow your washer’s manual and the cleaner label, and never mix cleaning chemicals.
Do not assume vinegar, bleach or a tablet is safe for your model just because it is used in another washer’s procedure. For an LG washer, see LG’s musty-odor guidance; for a Whirlpool washer, use the model’s instructions alongside Whirlpool’s odor-removal procedure.
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How often to clean, and when to get service
Maintenance intervals can vary by model. LG recommends running Tub Clean monthly; Whirlpool recommends monthly Clean Washer maintenance. For an existing musty smell, LG’s cited tub-clean page advises running Tub Clean weekly for three consecutive weeks. If the smell persists after multiple properly performed cycles, LG advises requesting service. A persistent odor after following the model’s instructions is also a reason to contact the manufacturer or a qualified appliance repair service rather than continuing to guess at cleaners or disassemble the washer.
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- STINKY PET ODOR? Affresh washing machine cleaner helps remove residues that can trap odors from pets, sweat and mildew that can transfer onto clothes and sheets.
- ONE TABLET, ONCE A MONTH. Avoid the twice-monthly cleaning cycles of other appliance cleaners and cut your machine cleaning maintenance time in half.
- TRUSTED BY APPLIANCE EXPERTS. Backed by over 100 years of appliance innovation, affresh is the washing machine cleaner brand recommended by Whirlpool, Maytag, and Amana.**
How to keep the smell from returning
- Use detergent made for your washer type and follow the detergent maker’s amount guidance; excess detergent can leave residue.
- Remove wet laundry promptly when the cycle ends.
- Where safe, leave the door or lid and detergent dispenser open between loads to let moisture evaporate.
- Clean the detergent drawer regularly and inspect accessible gasket and filter areas as the manual directs.
- Run the manufacturer’s maintenance cycle at the interval specified for your model.
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