LG Washer Smells Bad? Here's How to Remove Mold and Odor

Does your LG washer keep leaving a bad smell on your laundry?
I know it is frustrating when clean laundry picks up a musty smell. I would start by asking you to look for damp residue around the tub, seal, drawer, and drain, as trapped moisture and too much detergent can make the smell return.
A full size portable washer that gets your laundry moving again while the main machine is out of action. Plugs into any tap, no plumbing needed.
Pros:
- Handles a real 17.8 lb load, not just socks.
- Hooks to a kitchen tap in minutes.
- Keeps laundry going during a repair.
Cons:
- Needs floor space near a sink.
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What Removes Odor From an LG Washer?
Start with the easiest checks. To clean a smelly LG washer, air the tub, wipe damp areas, run the cleaning cycle, clear old water, and reduce detergent buildup.
However, these checks show how to get rid of mold when the LG washer smells like mildew, and where to look if it smells like rotten eggs.
Check for Water Left in the Tub
Also, standing water can make the LG washer smell like rotten eggs. If the manual shows a user accessible pump filter, unplug the machine, prepare for water, and clean it as directed.

However, straighten the drain hose and check for a reachable blockage. If the smell is strongest at the wall drain or other fixtures, ask a plumber to inspect the household drain.

These drain path is also worth your attention as you compare each result.
Let the Drum Dry
Before moving on, take wet laundry out of the LG washer soon after the cycle. Wipe visible moisture and leave the door or lid open when the machine is unused, as long as children and pets cannot get inside.
In many cases, a closed damp tub lets a mildew smell return quickly. Giving it time to dry can clear a light odor and slows new growth.
The simple signs around this damp tub is easy to miss while you work through the list.
Reduce Soap Buildup
So, use the detergent type and amount listed for the LG washer. Too much soap leaves a film that traps lint, moisture, and odor.
However, if the drawer is stuck, wet, or leaving soap behind, follow the full steps for an LG washer that is not dispensing detergent. That guide explains how to clean a smelly washer drawer without forcing it.
The LG may gives you a useful clue around this detergent buildup during a careful check.
Clean the Empty Tub
At this point, run the LG cleaning cycle with an empty tub and only the cleaner or bleach amount allowed in the manual. If there is no named cleaning cycle, follow the model's regular cleaning directions.
Before you begin, never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or another cleaner. Extra product does not clean better and may leave more residue.
There is usually a few clues around the LG cleaning cycle before the next test.
Inspect the Door Seal for Residue
In many cases, use a soft cloth and a cleaner approved for the LG washer. Wipe reachable seal folds on a front loader, or the tub rim, lid, and reachable wash plate area on a top loader.
At this point, wear gloves and never scrape a seal with a sharp tool. A cracked or deeply molded seal should be replaced by a technician.
Conclusion
Use what the LG washer is doing to choose the most useful check and get a fresher tub.
- Check for Water Left in the Tub
- Let the Drum Dry
- Reduce Soap Buildup
- Clean the Empty Tub
- Inspect the Door Seal for Residue
Clears the detergent sludge and limescale that clogs drain pumps and makes a washer smell. Run one before you start pulling the machine apart.
Pros:
- Targets the buildup behind drain faults.
- One tablet a month keeps it clear.
- Works in front and top loaders.
Cons:
- Heavy buildup may need two runs.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
| ROVSUN 17.8LBS Portable Washing Machine | Check Price |
| Zyro Washing Machine Cleaner Tablet | Check Price |
| Portable Washing Machine, Mini Washer | Check Price |
LG Washing Machine Still Not Working?
Start with what your washing machine is doing. Use our diagnostic tool, answer a few easy questions, and get the solution.
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Written by
Muhammad Ali is an Electrical Engineer and Appliance Repair Specialist from Canada, who has been helping people fix their appliances since 2020.