There’s nothing more off-putting than opening your washing machine and being greeted by a musty or sour smell, even before your clothes are washed. The good news is that the smell is almost always treatable, and with the right routine you can prevent it from coming back.
Below is your full Hoover guide on identifying the causes, tackling the problem, and keeping your machine fresh.
Common caused of a washing machine smell
Before you start treating the smell and eliminating the odour, it's important to know what is causing it in the first place.
Bacteria and mould
When your washing machine’s drum, gasket or rubber seal, detergent drawer or any other internal parts hold moisture, residue and warmth, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, mould and mildew. This causes a musty, damp smell which can transfer onto your clothes.
Residue build up
Laundry detergent, fabric softener, hair, lint and dirt can all accumulate in the drum folds, the door seal, detergent tray and the internal hoses. This build up over can cause smells in your washing machine.
Drainage and plumbing issues
If your washing machine isn’t draining properly, or if the standpipe or filter has a blockage, water can stagnate and cause a bad odour. This standing water can allow mould and bacteria to grow, leading to unpleasant smells during and after wash cycles.
Low temperature washes
Running cool washes and eco cycles may save energy but they don’t always kill off bacteria or shift residue. Over time, that can contribute to drum smelling issues.
Leaving the door closed
After a wash, if you leave your machine door or drawer closed, it can mean that the moisture and warmth from the previous cycle can’t escape and fosters mould growth.
Types of washing machine smells and what they mean
Not all washing machine odours are the same and different smells often point to different underlying issues. Understanding what the smell indicates can help you diagnose the problem faster and apply the right fix.
Musty or damp smell
A musty, stale or “wet dog” smell usually indicates mould. This is typically caused by moisture sitting in the drum, detergent drawer, or rubber seal, allowing bacteria to grow. It could also be from consistent low temperature washing and keeping the door closed between washes can also contribute.
What it means:
Moisture is trapped somewhere in the machine, and bacteria or mould is starting to thrive.
How to fix:
Run a hot service wash, clean the seal and detergent tray, and ventilate the machine after each use.
Sour smell
A sour smell, similar to gone-off laundry or stale water, is often due to detergent or softener residue that has started to break down. This smell can cling to clothes even after washing.
What it means:
Product build-up is sitting in the hoses, tray or drum and has begun to ferment.
How to fix:
Clean the detergent drawer thoroughly, use less detergent, and run a high-temperature empty cycle with a machine cleaner.
Rotten egg smell
A strong sulphur or “rotten egg” smell usually isn’t coming from the washing machine itself, but from a blocked drain or plumbing issue, especially if the scent intensifies when water drains.
What it means:
Hydrogen sulphide gas (the sulphur smell) is being released from stagnant water trapped in the standpipe or drain.
How to fix:
Check that the drain hose is installed correctly, clean the standpipe, and inspect for blockages. If the smell continues, consult a plumber.
Sewage smell
If your washing machine smells like sewage or dirty drains, the problem is almost always linked to improper drainage or a backed-up waste pipe.
What it means:
Dirty wastewater isn’t moving through the plumbing system as it should.
How to fix:
Clear the drain pump filter, inspect the drain hose for kinks, and make sure the standpipe isn’t clogged. If the odour persists, professional help may be needed.
Burning smell
A burning smell during or after a cycle is not normal and should never be ignored.
What it means:
This could be caused by a worn belt, overheating motor, faulty wiring, or a foreign object trapped around the drum.
How to fix:
Turn off the machine immediately and unplug it. Do not continue using it. Contact a technician to inspect the appliance.
Metallic smell
A metallic or hot-metal scent sometimes occurs when coins, bra wires or other small metal objects are caught between the drum and the tub.
What it means:
There may be friction between a trapped object and the drum during spinning.
How to fix:
Inspect the drum carefully, check pockets before washing, and remove any obstructions. If the smell continues, get the appliance checked.
Steps to remove the bad smell from your washing machine
Let's tackle how you can clean and treat your machine to make the smell go away for good.
Empty & clean inside
Cleaning your washing machine may seem an obvious fix but remove any laundry and check for any loose coins or trapped debris. Wipe the door and seal thoroughly using a soft cloth and a gentle cleaning solution. It’s also a good idea to remove the detergent tray and soak it with bicarbonate of soda before scrubbing with a toothbrush and wiping with a damp cloth.
If your washing machine has a filter, make sure to empty and rinse the filter out to remove the possibility of stagnant water or trapped dirt.
Run a service cycle
Put on a wash cycle with no clothes in the drum and on the hottest setting which helps to kill any bacteria and clear residue. You can add in a washing machine cleaner to help the process. This ideally should be done once a month to prevent any smells forming.
Ensure ventilation
After every wash, remove your laundry as soon as you can, don’t let damp clothes sit in the machine. Leave the machine door slightly ajar so that moisture can escape and air can circulate inside the drum. If you notice condensation, use a dry cloth to wipe it away.
Tips to prevent washing machine odour
Once you have removed the smell, you’ll want to prevent its return. These habits help do just that.
· Monthly deep clean. Once a month run an empty cycle on a high temperature to help get rid of bacteria and residue.
· Use the correct detergent amount. Too much detergent or fabric softener can cause a build-up of residue. Always use the dose recommended in the machine’s manual
· Don’t overload. Overloading prevents proper rinsing and drainage, which can leave damp pockets and contribute to odour.
· Keep the inside dry and clean. After your wash cycle, wipe around the door seal and inside the drum if you notice any build-up or water.
· Check your drain and filter regularly. Every few months, it’s a good idea to check for blockages in the hoses, pipes or filter that might trap water.
· Research hard water areas. Hard water can contribute to a smelly washing machine drum. If you live in a hard water area, consider descaling your machine to remove limescale and odour-causing build-up.
What to do if the smell persists
If you have done all the above and you are still wondering how to remove a bad smell from your washing machine, here are some tips:
· Double check the drain. Stagnant water can cause sewer-gas or foul smells.
· Inspect the door seal. Sometimes the odour is trapped deep inside folds of the rubber gasket and needs more thorough cleaning.
· Consider a professional service. If the machine is old, has worn seals, or the hose/drainage pipe is scorched or blocked beyond DIY cleaning, a technician may need to investigate.
· Use a specialist washing machine cleaner. You can buy tablets or powders designed to go through the machine and clean pipes, hoses, drum, seals and remove odour-causing residues
Long-term care to eliminate washing machine odour
With the right care and a few simple habits, keeping your washing machine fresh and odour-free is completely achievable. Regular cleaning cycles, proper ventilation and monthly maintenance help stop smells from returning and keep your appliance running at its best.
If you’ve followed all the steps and the odour still lingers, it could be a sign of a deeper issue such as a blocked hose, worn seal or drainage problem. In that case, a professional inspection can help identify the cause and restore your machine’s efficiency.
By staying on top of maintenance and giving your Hoover washing machine the attention it needs, you’ll enjoy cleaner laundry, better performance and a fresher home, wash after wash.