My washing machine has an odor. What would cause this?

Question

It is about 5 years old, and occasionally it has an odor kind of like rotten eggs. I run vinegar and bleach though a cycle, and it seems to help, but the odor eventually comes back. It does not last more than a day (usually) and is not a constant odor. Any clues?

Answer 1

if you go to local hardware store they sell these order bags fill with rocks  that absorb odor. they work well in damp area ie: behind washer & dryer, under fridge. also this can be cause by allowing washes clothes to sit in washer in heat and get smelly.  try running an empty small load with baking soda dumped in it.

good luck hope this helps you

Mom of 4 I do Lots and Lots of laundry

Answer 2

You could have something blocked in your inlet or outlet pipes, if so you will have to turn off the water at the back, then unscrew them from the back and give them a rinse under the cold water tap, then s***w them back, turn your water back on and give your machine a rinse through on a quick short wash without anything in it, Or perhaps check your filter and give that a clean out, hopefully this will do the trick, another thing is leave the door slightly open while not in use, as this will keep a bit of air going around it, i leave mine open all the time just a little bit and i do not get any odor smells.

Answer 3

I suspect your drain is more of the culprit than the machine itself. There is a check valve somewhere very close to the water inlet on the pump of the machine and it either has gotten a piece of debri that is keeping it from completely closing or it could be damaged. At any rate a handyman or spouce could locate the checkvalve and take it off for a visual inspection and eleminate it first.