Can a washing machine make a foul odor?

Question

In my bathroom, where we have our washer and dryer there is this foul pungent odor and I don't know where it is comming from. Nothing in the apartment, especially the bathroom has anything in it and it smells really bad? Anyone else had this before or know what it could be??

Answer 1

yes washing machine can make foul odor

Answer 2

The best Advice I can give you is to leave the door or or lid open!
New washers often give off an odor described as a burning match or electrical smell. This is normal and is caused by the "wearing in" of clutch shoes and the heating of new paint on the motor windings.
Older washer odors are usually caused by leaving the washer lid closed when not in use. This does not allow air to circulate and dry out the moisture remaining in tub area. The air and moisture mixture becomes stagnant and creates an odor. When washer is not in use, leaving the lid up/open for air circulation will help prevent odor.
To get rid of odors inside of washer follow the steps listed below:
Fill the washer with hot water; set at regular speed & longest time.
Add 3/4 cup of Calgon Clothes Detergent. (Baking soda can be substituted)
Allow washer to complete entire wash and rinse cycle.
If odor lingers, repeat entire process.

Answer 3

All the advice you've been given so far about using baking soda and/or vinegar along with hot water and running the washing machine is good advice. However one other thing you might want to check for is to make sure there are no small items (ie. socks) that have gotten stuck way up underneath the rim, close to the lid. You can also get soap scum buildup and other laundry debris caked up along there pretty badly and if there's enough of a buildup it can really smell bad. Good luck!

Answer 4

yes if the water drain is blocked it will get nasty. you might have to pull the washer out and turn off the water to it and disconnect the drain line and run a snake down it. or put some drain cleaner in it, do not put the drain cleaner in the washer, just down the drain behind the washer, to save yourself the grief of moving the washer you could put a pound box of baking soda in the washer with some old towels and run the washer on hot. see if that gets rid of the smell, it also could be that the washers pump is getting weak and not all the water is draining out of the washer under the tub.

Answer 5

Have you checked behind the washer and dryer? Try putting alot of vinegar and hot water in your washer and run it through a full cycle. If this doesn`t help try putting bleach and hot water and do the same! You might want to check the drain where your washer emptys out...Good Luck! When you finish your wash do you leave your washer lid up? Do this and see if that helps the odor.

Answer 6

most likely its mold from water that leaked and rotted the wood under it or the walling behind it. It could also be a belt that is burning. Try this, Run an empty load with the hottest water and a gallon of bleach. If that gets rid of the smell it was mold in the washer. If not, its something behind or under it.

Answer 7

depends on the foul odor of where it may be coming from. it could be coming from a drain some where in there whether its in the drain of the machine or tub or sink you have to sniff and find. or if it's more like a dead animal it could be in the machine some where. again sniff and find. if it's a drain clorox may work or vinegar.

Answer 8

Check the hoses to make sure there are no leaks or standing water behind. Try running a cycle or two of vinegar water and baking soda water to kill any mildew that might be in the tub.

Answer 9

It could be the washer. We have a high efficiency washer and the gasket can smell, so we have to leave the door slightly ajar so it will dry. Or, it could be a dead mouse. Yuck!

Answer 10

It may be the drain or sewer, if you'll pour a little baking soda into all the drains in the house and wash it down with water(flood it down the sewer) it will stop the smell.