Maytag Washer Smells Bad? Here's How to Remove the Odor

Does your Maytag washer smell bad when you open the door or lid? When it smells like mildew or rotten eggs, the odor can transfer to clean laundry, but you can usually remove the source with a careful cleaning.

I would start with the damp areas you can see, then check whether old water is staying in the machine. If you are wondering how to get rid of mold, these steps also help stop it and the odor from coming back.

How to Clean a Maytag Washer That Smells Bad

To clean a smelly Maytag washer, air the tub, wipe away residue, run its cleaning cycle, clear standing water, and use the correct detergent amount.

Unplug the washer before cleaning around a seal, filter, or hose. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or another cleaner, and use only a product approved in your washer manual.

Remove Wet Laundry and Air the Washer

Take clothes out soon after a cycle ends. Wipe up visible moisture and leave the door or lid open when the washer is not in use, as long as children and pets cannot get inside.

A closed, damp tubs gives mildew a good place to grow. Letting the inside dry may remove a light musty smell after a few washes.

Wipe the Tub, Seal, and Lid Area

Use a soft cloth and the cleaner recommended in the manual. On a front loader, gently wipe all reachable folds of the door seal. On a top loader, clean around the tub rim, lid, and reachable parts of the agitator or wash plate.

There is often small bits of lint and detergent hiding in these damp edges. Wear gloves, and replace a cracked or badly molded seal rather than scraping it with a sharp tool.

Run the Washer Cleaning Cycle

Run the washer's cleaning cycle with an empty tub and the approved amount of washer cleaner or bleach listed in the manual. If your model has no named cleaning cycle, use the cleaning directions Maytag provides for that model.

Extra cleaner do not remove extra mold. Too much can leave fresh residue, so measure it and run any rinse the instructions call for.

Clear Old Water From the Drain Path

Water left in a filter, hose, or tub can turn stale and make the washer smell like rotten eggs. If your manual shows a user-accessible pump filter, unplug the washer, prepare for water, and clean the filter as directed.

Check the drain hose for a kink or blockage too. A hoses that cannot drain well may leave dirty water behind. If the odor is strongest at the wall drain or appears at other fixtures, ask a plumber to check the household drain.

Use Less Detergent and Keep the Dispenser Clean

Use the detergent type and amount listed for your washer and load. Too much soap builds a film that traps lint and moisture.

If the drawer is stuck, holds water, or leaves soap behind, follow the full cleaning steps for a Maytag washer that is not dispensing detergent. Keeping that area dry between loads helps stop mold returning.

Conclusion

If you were unsure how to clean a smelly washer, start with a dry tub and clear drain path. Remember these five steps:

• Remove wet laundry and air the washer
• Wipe the tub, seal, and lid area
• Run the washer cleaning cycle
• Clear old water from the drain path
• Use less detergent and keep the dispenser clean