Quick answer
What the smell is tells you the cause. Musty or mildew smell comes from detergent and fabric residue in the door gasket, detergent drawer and drain pump filter, most often in front-loaders; clean them, run a hot cleaning cycle, and leave the door open. A rotten egg or sewage smell usually comes from the drain: a dry or missing trap at the standpipe, or a drain hose sealed into it. A burning or electrical smell means stop the washer and unplug it. HomeAdvisor puts typical washer repairs at $125–$450. Call (888) 217-0236 to reach an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP; the line is answered 24/7.
Follow the short menu, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for a few seconds while it connects; stay on. If it does not connect, call once more: companies taking calls change minute to minute.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed November 4, 2026· Next review May 2027
A washer that makes clean clothes smell, or fills the laundry room with an odor, has a cause you can usually find by the kind of smell.
What the Smell Means
| Smell | Likely cause | First step |
|---|---|---|
| Musty, mildew | Residue in gasket, drawer, filter | Clean them; run a hot cycle |
| Rotten eggs or sewage | Drain trap or standpipe | Check the drain; see sewer smell in laundry room |
| Sour clothes | Overloading, too much detergent, damp loads left sitting | Smaller loads, less soap, unload promptly |
| Burning or electrical | Belt, motor, pump or wiring | Stop and unplug |
Clean Out a Musty Washer
- 1The door gasket on front-loaders: pull back the folds and wipe out the black residue and lint. If it is mold, see mold in a washing machine.
- 2The detergent drawer: remove it and wash it, including the slot it sits in.
- 3The drain pump filter, behind the small panel at the lower front: put towels down and clean it.
- 4Run a hot cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner, or the clean-tub cycle.
- 5Leave the door and drawer open after each wash so they dry.
Use HE detergent in the measured amount; too much leaves residue.
Talk to an appliance repair technician
One call reaches an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP, answered 24/7.
Rotten Egg or Sewage Smell
That is usually sewer gas, not the washer. The standpipe the drain hose goes into needs a working trap with water in it, and the hose needs an air gap so it does not siphon the trap dry. See drain smells like rotten eggs.
What a Repair Costs
HomeAdvisor puts typical washer repairs at $125–$450. See washer repair.
The Call
Call when the smell is burning, or cleaning does not clear a musty smell. (888) 217-0236 is answered 24/7 and connects you to an appliance repair company taking calls in your ZIP for washers, dryers, ovens, stoves, cooktops and freezers. Follow the short menu, enter your 5-digit ZIP and stay on while it connects; if it does not connect, call once more.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my washing machine smell like mildew?
Detergent, fabric softener and lint build up in the gasket, drawer and filter, and stay damp between washes. Front-loaders are most prone to it.
Why does my washer smell like rotten eggs?
Usually sewer gas from the drain, such as a dry trap or a drain hose sealed into the standpipe with no air gap. Sometimes it is bacteria in the drum.
Why does my washer smell like burning?
A slipping belt, a failing motor or pump, or something caught in the drum. Stop the washer and unplug it.
Sources
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
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