Why Does My Washer Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

If your washer smells like rotten eggs, you might not trust it to clean your clothes. What’s worse is that this smell can linger.

We can help you get rid of the rotten egg smell once and for all!

In this article, we’ll talk about and answer the following:

Why does my washer smell like rotten eggs?
How do you fix a smelly washing machine?
What to do if your washing machine smells when running
Why your washing machine smells worse after cleaning
How to get rid of the smell in your washer when you’ve tried everything!

Why Does my Washer Smell Like Rotten Eggs?

There are two reasons your washer may smell like rotten eggs:

Bacteria growth due to not cleaning the machine
A natural gas leak

Natural gas leaks are dangerous, and you should contact the gas company immediately if you suspect this is happening.

However, it’s more likely that your washer smells because it needs to be cleaned. If you don’t regularly deep-clean your washer, bacteria, mold, and mildew can grow inside of it.

How do I Fix a Smelly Washing Machine?

We recommend trying a washing machine deodorizer. This is a quick and inexpensive way to rid your washing machine of foul smells.

Washer Deodorizer

Duracare Washing Machine Cleaner

From Amazon

Regularly cleaning your washing machine will stop it from smelling. It’ll also ensure your clothes are properly cleaned during each washing cycle.

To clean your washing machine:

Wipe the machine inside and out with a vinegar and water mixture. Simply mix half vinegar and half water together in a tub or spray bottle, and wipe down your entire appliance.
Don’t forget to check under the seal of front-loaders, and to clean the soap tray or agitator, depending on the type of machine you have.
If you need to get into any crevices, q-tips or an old toothbrush are great for this. Also check to see if any parts, such as the detergent tray, are easily removable, allowing you to get a better clean.
Run the machine on the hottest cycle with a homemade or store-bought cleaner. Always follow the instructions on your specific cleaner to get the best clean possible!
If the machine still smells, call a plumber to check the drain pipe. They can then clean the pipe as necessary to remove the smell. We don’t recommend doing this yourself unless you’re experienced in dealing with plumbing issues.

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Washing Machine Smells When Running

If your washing machine smells extra bad when running, this may be because:

The machine is dirty
The pipes need cleaning

As the machine runs, the smell may become worse due to the movement and added water.

You can clean your washer on your own using the steps above. However, we don’t recommend messing with the pipes unless you have plumbing experience.

Instead, hire a plumber to help.

Washing Machine Smells Worse After Cleaning

You know how, when you clean out a closet, the mess usually gets worse before it’s better? You have to drag everything out, sort through it, and before you know it the mess is everywhere!

This can also happen, sometimes, when cleaning your washer. As you scrub the appliance and the mess is lifted, the smell might hit you even worse.

It can even linger in the air afterward, or in the machine if it hasn’t been rinsed out thoroughly. Try checking for any visible mess in your machine and wiping it away if possible.

Then, run another clean cycle and see if that helps!

What to do When Your Washing Machine Smells and You’ve Tried Everything!

If your washing machine still smells and you’ve tried everything you can think of, here are some additional tips:

Check hidden crevices, such as beneath the seal, inside of the agitator, or the detergent tray. Make sure they’ve been thoroughly cleaned.
Hire a plumber to check the plumbing that connects to your machine—the sewage may be the culprit.
Keep the door to your machine open to allow it to dry out between loads. This will help to prevent mold and mildew so that your washer stays fresher, longer.
Call your gas company to ensure the odor isn’t caused by a natural gas leak.