Quick answer: A mildew smell comes from damp residue — detergent, fabric softener, lint and body soil — in four places: the door gasket, the detergent drawer, the drain pump filter and the outer tub you can’t see. Clean all four, run a tub-clean cycle with washer cleaner or chlorine bleach, and leave the door open between loads. If the smell is strong, LG recommends running tub clean once a week for three weeks in a row.
Where the smell actually comes from
| Spot | Why it smells | Washer type |
|---|---|---|
| Door gasket (the rubber seal) | Water and lint collect in the fold, especially at the bottom | Front-load |
| Detergent / softener drawer | Undissolved product grows mold in the channels | Both |
| Drain pump filter | Trapped lint and standing water | Front-load |
| Outer tub and drum | A film of residue builds up where you can’t see it | Both |
| Clothes left in the drum | Wet laundry starts to mildew within hours | Both |
Front-loaders smell more often because the airtight door traps moisture. Top-loaders get it too, usually from the dispenser and the underside of the agitator or rim.
The 45-minute deep clean
Do these steps in order, then run the tub-clean cycle last so it flushes out what you loosened.
1. Door gasket (front-load)
- Remove anything stuck in the groove at the bottom (coins, hair ties, socks).
- Mix about ¾ cup (177 ml) of liquid chlorine bleach in 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water — LG’s ratio. Wear gloves.
- Wipe the gasket surface, then pull back the lip and clean underneath it all the way around.
- Never use undiluted bleach on the gasket; LG warns it degrades the rubber over time.
2. Detergent drawer
Pull the drawer out (most have a release tab), soak it in hot water for 10 minutes and scrub the channels with an old toothbrush. Wipe the cavity it slides into; mold often hides on its ceiling.
3. Drain pump filter (front-load)
Drain the water and rinse the filter. Full steps in our drain pump filter guide.
4. Run the tub-clean cycle
Use your washer’s Tub Clean, Clean Washer or Self Clean cycle with the drum empty.
- Use a washer cleaner (tablet or powder) following its package, or liquid chlorine bleach in the bleach compartment per your manual.
- Whirlpool warns against thickened, splash-less or easy-pour bleach in this cycle because it can over-suds.
- If your washer has no cleaning cycle, run the hottest, longest cycle with the largest load size.
5. Dry it out
When the cycle ends, wipe the gasket and drum with a dry towel and leave the door and the detergent drawer open.
Vinegar vs bleach vs washer tablets
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Washer cleaner tablets or powder | Monthly maintenance; easy dosing | Follow the package; some brands are bleach-based |
| Liquid chlorine bleach | Killing mildew in a smelly washer | Diluted only on the gasket; plain (not thickened) in the cleaning cycle |
| White vinegar | A milder gasket wipe if you dislike bleach | Never in the same session as bleach — the combination releases toxic chlorine gas |
Habits that keep the smell away
- Leave the door open between loads. Whirlpool and LG both recommend it so moisture can evaporate.
- Move clothes to the dryer right away. Wet laundry left in the drum is the fastest route to mildew.
- Use HE detergent and measure it. Too much detergent leaves residue that feeds odor.
- Go easy on liquid fabric softener. It coats the drum and drawer; use half the dose or switch to dryer sheets.
- Run a tub clean monthly, and clean the gasket, drawer and filter at the same time. LG recommends a monthly routine.
- Wash on warm or hot sometimes. Running only cold, short cycles lets residue build up.
When the smell won’t go away
If the odor survives three weekly tub-clean cycles:
- Check the drain. A standpipe or floor drain without water in its trap can push sewer smell back into the laundry room. Pour a bucket of water into the floor drain and check that the standpipe has a trap.
- Check for a slow leak under the washer that keeps the floor damp.
- Inspect the outer tub. Heavy buildup behind the drum may need a technician. LG suggests requesting service at this point.
FAQ
Can I use vinegar and bleach together?
No. Mixing them releases chlorine gas. Use one, rinse with a full cycle, then use the other another day if you must.
How often should I clean my washer?
Monthly for a full tub clean, and wipe the gasket after heavy loads like towels or pet bedding.
Why does my washer still smell after cleaning?
Usually the gasket fold or the drawer cavity was missed, the drain filter wasn’t cleaned, or the door stays closed between loads. Repeat the full routine weekly for three weeks.
Do top-load washers get mildew too?
Yes, but less often. Focus on the dispenser, the rim under the lid and running a monthly clean cycle.
