Washing Machine - Laundry Room Smell / Odor

How to get rid of washing machine smell or laundry room foul odor. That STANK... has to go.

[@lappinrappin]

In case others stumble upon this video be aware that if done incorrectly the instructions on this video will only yield temporary results. The key for me was to not shove the discharge hose all the way down the drain. In my case the discharge hose was IN the trap and would periodically push all water out of the trap. Sooo if you pour bleach down it and let it sit- sure it will work right now. But if you shove the hose way back down you will recreate the problem. The solution is to not show your hose all the way down. This will also eliminate mold and residue from it because it’s not in the water. It will fully dry out between washes. Please think about the problem critically before thinking you solved it. I solved this on my own and then went searching for someone to explain the issue. That’s what lead me here.

[@teslacybertruck750]

There is a small door on the bottom left of the washer, and you'll see a small hose with a plug in it. You remove the plug and drain all that nasty water into a pan, that is where the smell comes from. I did it a couple days ago on my washer and the smell finally went away! I was concerned of having guests come over, since my house used to smell like poop because of it

[@marczenkner9667]

Always love a simple and easily-explained solution to a problem. Thanks for taking your time to explain that.

[@Cjsparkleslots]

THANK YOU!! We just about took our washing machine apart to look for mold underneath the drum! Who knew pouring bleach down the drain would be the solution?! So grateful I found your video.

[@BestoftheBest-oz4ei]

Wow, can't thank you enough. Our laundry room smelled horrid and I kept thinking it was the machine itself. Always kept the door & soap dispenser open and also wiped the gasket dry after each wash but it still smelled funky. Tried expensive washing machine cleaners which only masked the smell. 2 cups of bleach into the drain tube behind the washer and the smell was gone the next day.

[@mattb6999]

I find that the smells come from the hoses and not the tub nor the drain in the wall. If you are doing laundry every week that water is flushed out. The whole point of that water is to stop sewer gases from coming up. Tubs dry out but the discharge hose and the hoses connected to the pump never dry out and mold. My washer smells and I was was replacing a part anyway so I ripped it apart to discover the smell. I smelled the discharge hose and it stunk, but it basically just connects to a hose connected to the pump and that hose smelled and so did the other. The washing bin itself had little to no odor. I spent $20 and an hour of my time and bought and installed 3 new hoses. All fixed. The problem with washing the hoses and not replacing them is how difficult they are to clean and since they are always damp, any bacteria in the hose grows back very quickly.

[@kimokahikolekalihi]

Never would have thought of that. Thanks! I'm gonna try it. Getting tired of the smell. I bought a washing machine cleaning product and it made no difference at all.

[@elainebenes3068]

Thanks Doc, thought it might have been the drain bleached it, but smell was still there, so thanks a million, your advice fixed the problem 🇦🇺

[@arielrodriguez6980]

Great video. My wife pointed out how after washing when the tub is empty there is like a mildew/sewer like smell. I will try the bleach method and leave the lid open for awhile after each wash. I had no idea the drain had a trap. Makes sense now, thank you!

[@rebeccadegracia8778]

Thanks, Doc! You saved us an expensive plumber visit! The smell is gone and I now have peace of mind.

[@loving_lioness3518]

This is the 1st time I've experienced this issue! I actually thought it was my neighbors laundry room that's back to back with ours. Thank you! I'll try it riiighhhht NOW! Will update in a day or 2!

[@drmcki64]

I hope it fixes my issue! I've cleaned the washer numerous times and always keep the lid up when not in use. My laundry room smells bad! Can't wait to smell the results!👍

[@edwardtrickett6064]

I have a front loading washing machine, I am from the UK and they are more common here Once a month, small amount of bleach in the prewash and main wash compartments of my machine Hottest longest cycle possible Then I put it on a cold 1 hour wash afterwards to make sure all the bleach is rinsed out I then clean the pump filter on the bottom I have had washing machines over 10 years old that don't have issues because I do this Bleach..... is all you need, you don't need expensive washing machine cleaner I live in a soft water area, if you live in a hard water area use a toilet cleaner designed to remove limescale, you only need a squirt, not much or you'll get too many suds If I am using just bleach, I put my dish cloths in the machine too, it gets them wonderfully clean and the spinning action means that the outer drum gets a clean too with the bleach Happy washing guys

[@szolina2228]

Great video, we actually have the same LG washer and dryer used in the video. After using many washer cleaning tablets and several 2 hour plus tub cleaning cycles. The bleach eliminated that funky odor immediately.

[@IamthNight]

Thank you. The smell was making me paranoid.

[@crystalblue7701]

Thank you, you were right on the money. The smell is completely gone from my laundry room now after pouring a cup of bleach down the drain pipe hole and letting it sit for a day, then doing a load of laundry.

[@LafemNikita1]

Thank you thank you for this easy fix. Simple and straight to the point.

[@rolandwoltman7835]

Is it just me or isn't Doc's drain hose from the washing machine in to far? If it's reaching your p-trap it might be negating the standing water that keeps the sewer gas from entering your house Doc. You pouring the bleach in temporarily fixes that.

[@africanstar651]

Omg!! Thank you so much! I was going crazy trying to figure out what was wrong.

[@BrendanEvan]

Going to try this tonight! Thanks for the advice

[@LLWW]

Have you seen people take apart their washing machines and see all the gunk under the drum?

[@firstklasshealthandwellnes1077]

That is EXACTLY our issue! Thanks!

[@johnroe2002]

Great advice loop on pipe with water in it acts like trap to stop smells from drains but must clean every one or two months for stagnnent water when on holiday or infrequent usage, bless the man for his excellent advise 😀

[@pameladavis4030]

WoW. Tried this and it is on point. Thanks for sharing.

[@justinfisher5175]

Also make sure the washer filter near the pump is clean especially front loaders

[@aranda2307]

Looks like your problem might be that you have more than the required 8 inches of washer tubing into the drain stand up pipe. Creating a back flow

[@jericc758]

Great video. Simple explanation and to the point. Thank you

[@scotsnead8972]

Yes, always lid up! I also use a quarter cup of 20 Mule Team Borax in every load keeps the machine and the drains smelling clean. Your clothes will be fresh too.

[@batgirl1119]

OMG! i wish i found this video earlier! the last two days i was trying to figure out whats wrong. I cleaned the machine, cleaned the filter. And never thought about its the drain behind!! Thank you!

[@Bostero79]

We don't have an old home, it's a 2008. I have the worst smell in my laundry room after someone takes a shower and the bathrooms are on the other side of the house, it's not every time but lately just about. If I run a load of laundry the smell goes away but then usually the next time someone showers the smell is back so I have to run a load of laundry again. I've poured bleach down there and it helps but it's not a permanent fix.

[@sheilagoode8820]

It worked!! Thank you for taking the time to post this 😘

[@nataliakerr5]

Hi Doc, my washer's drain pipe drains directly into a little sink next to it, so it doesn't look moldy or anything. The smell is still there! Could it be something else?

[@Sheltieshangrila]

Thank you for such an easy explanation

[@collinscisco7770]

Most machines are growing mold inside under the tub. How do you clean that.

[@djonederisrael5792]

Thank you so much Doc!!!

[@juanmaelmejor]

It worked wonders! Thank you👌🏻

[@ced.e.2277]

Thanks Doc

[@lisaj5107]

Thank you!!! Will try this today!

[@virgil3241]

How often should you do, as it smells, or regularly so the smell never happens, like once a week or something?

[@terrigable434]

My odor is coming from the water that expells from the machine after the wash cycle. It drains right into a "slop sink". That is the only time I smell rotten eggs.

[@Permaculture1957]

I have a septic system, so I would rather not use bleach. Any alternatives? Vinegar?

[@vivekdesai8500]

Thank you!

[@stevegaines1]

My washer drains into my slop sink. And there is no elbow pea trap. The sink drains straight to the hole in the floor. It only stinks when we do laundry. Never during a shower. So what's the fix there?

[@smurfcity]

Trying this now. If this works you are officially a life saver

[@sweetjoroyster794]

A big thank you!!

[@jamiethornington6963]

I could not figure it out for the life of me thanks so much I’ve done two or three loads with bleach trying to get rid of the smell 👌

[@lilliebrintley9584]

Thanks so much!!!

[@vincentdsouza6440]

Thank you sir

[@fatima4499]

Okay thank you so much!😀

[@raysmith9186]

we have washtubs and the hose empties into the tubs the tubs have a trap located under the tubs what can we do to help eliminate the smell is it coming from hose or water standing in the trap located under the tubs

[@patrickly8547]

Thanks!

[@tamara3825]

Thank you

[@Pristinedeals]

Can this be done even with outside temperatures freezing?

[@kimg2153]

Any alternatives for people with septic systems?

[@cosmicdebris2174]

Thank you, youre a good guy

[@jamesschrom317]

We have a Whirlpool Cabrio top loading and there is no door on the bottom right or left side. Is the filter some place else?

[@fifastud13]

i leave a funnel in there to keep it easy and mess free

[@mickie4445]

Going to definitely try this. My wash room has a light nasty sewerage smell when the wash is in use

[@ErnestoMartinez-dm5yp]

I’m your 300 k subscriber congratulations

[@Seattle_Slew]

I hope irt works, thank you!!

[@TheCoolVivie]

I did that because the smell was bad, but didn't solve the problem. We moved the hose to the utility sink to see if there's a difference, but not. Washer is clean, any suggestions?

[@gregdavidson5898]

You said pour the bleach down the hole "on TOP of the hose"? So you are not pouring the bleach INSIDE the hose or inside the drain of the hose? Isn't that where the build up is or is it on TOP of the hose? TIA

[@cherie1651]

Thank you. I have the exact same machines as you have. Eager to try this fix. Thank you. I was thinking I had to take the washer apart to find old fabric threads, etc...collected somewhere.

[@n8ball058]

What about a fishy smell? Anyone experience this in their laundry room?

[@mustafaazam3308]

Thank u

[@cathyzimmerman9467]

Thank you - I love you if this works lol. You have changed my life :)

[@kevinbriegel7292]

Thanx dude!

[@chelseadonae8601]

Omg thank you!!!! You’ve solved my major stinky problem!!

[@HowTowithDoc]

Don't pull out the hose... you'll puke a little. :)

[@hijiSuru]

What do you mean "let the bleach sit" on the tube for a day? Does that mean you don't do any laundry for that day?

[@stephaniefrusher1042]

Not my problem, I do laundry everyday...so now what?

[@drewking5122]

For the bleach do I do it everyday or do I just do it once a day

[@elaprovechado]

Laundry tech for 20 years that drain hose its way to deep into that drain pipe

[@streetglidesteve]

I hope your right. I don't feel like taking apart my machine like in other video's

[@rjkmannusaf0166]

As a family we were talking about the smell and my daughter mentioned that there’s a trap or a door on the back of the washer and the water sitting there we didn’t think about checking the hose. I am try it I will let you know how I do...

[@2012puddles]

Sorry Doc.......that did not work!!! I tried multiple times with the bleach and I still have the stank!!!! Any other suggestions?

[@sheilamartinson6736]

I’d have a hard time pouring anything back there that I can’t see or tell where it’s going🤷🏻‍♀️

[@jaydowwg8150]

What about vinegar??

[@Kittyhammertoe100]

Thk u

[@maryjayne8746]

Cannot use bleach with my septic field it messes with the tank.

[@chrismv9203]

I’m going now!

[@TLMP2010]

What is the problem if you have a smell coming from your drain tubes but you don't have a washer and dryer connected? We have been here for a couple of years and we always did our Landry at the Laundromat. So,what could be the problem if there is no washer or dryer connected?

[@HowTowithDoc]

It leads to the sewer and gases are coming into the house due to the water drying out of the tubes. Just cap them off with duct tape as a temp easy fix.

[@TLMP2010]

@@HowTowithDoc O ok thanks so much! So if capping off the tubes is a temp fix, what will I need to do eventually to prevent the smell from continuing?

[@alexandermilentis2130]

giggles01 you have to first understand how the system works. Drains usually have what is called a P-trap. Just google it for a picture. What this does is, instead of the water going straight down to the sewer pipe, a bit of water gets stuck in the "P" part of the tube. This is a good thing because that water acts as a barrier to block the sewage gas from backing up. If you don't use the drain, the water from the "P" evaporates and you lose that barrier. You don't really want to do the "permanent" option which would be removing that part of the drain that connect to your sewer pipe, because then if you ever want to sell your house or use a washing machine you'd have to get that re-installed. I guess the better temporary fix is to buy a cap that fits over it so you can actually seal it off.

[@littlemissy8356]

I tried that. It didn't work.

[@eugenegutierrez5106]

I’ll try this method along with pouring bleach inside the washing machine.

[@keepitrealpeepz01keepitrea41]

Are has been smelling like rotten eggs after washing clothes. We have tried everything but this. Hope it works.🙏 hope it’s nothing more serious

[@saycheese1832]

Keepitrealpeepz01 Keepitrealpeez01 hello, did it work?

[@tjwilliams7566]

Top man

[@fenixrebornmusic818]

😆 “you only do laundry a couple times a week” says the dude with no kids 😆 try every day my man hahhaa

[@aaronmoore1210]

That’s exactly what the problem was! Smell was gone in MINUTES!!

[@guccifitmerite]

Thank you, I am getting bleach ASAP.

[@ItsEmilyFuller]

Where does the bleach go when you pour it in?? It seems like you are pouring it into the wall?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Yes, there is a drain tube there that becomes a stinky mess over the years. Pretty nasty.

[@alexandermilentis2130]

Emily Loderup lol

[@justinfisher5175]

BE CAREFUL! do not poor right over the tube if the entire opening isn’t “open” some of it may go behind the wall Instead

[@jeremyc1430]

Its not the hose, I smell it as soon as I open it. I don't close it all the way. It's always cracked with the drawer pulled out.

[@justinfisher5175]

Jeremy C don’t crack it leave it open completely and use “washer cleaner” the affresh tabs

[@popcorngirl321]

I just tried it, I'm hoping it works.

[@devondriawalker36]

I just moved in my trailer I don’t have a washer and dryer yet but it smells really bad any idea what I should use?

[@yamiiwater9467]

Mine used to smell ugly too. I trew everything out, in and out. And the things i couldnt throw I washed them. Like i clean the restroom with alcahol. And i put fabric febreez everywhere. I hope the smell goes away.

[@eeyoreyeen]

They removed dislikes i cant tell if it works or not!! Comments are not accurate

[@HowTowithDoc]

It works but you also may need to treat your main drum as well.

[@timmark4190]

Why did you go for the top loader?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Small laundry room.

[@ryanhardy9484]

But the inside of my washer stinks?

[@ryanhardy9484]

@@HowTowithDoc Let it fill with water too?

[@HowTowithDoc]

Yes, run an empty cycle and NEVER leave the washer door closed. Always leave it open so it can dry.