When you put your clothes in the wash, you expect them to come out smelling clean and fresh. Unfortunately, sometimes things can get in our water supply, turning what should be an everyday chore into a batch of rotten eggs. Or, at least, it will smell like rotten eggs.
You may have experienced this with your washer. It can be quite a jarring experience. So, what is it that causes our washers to smell like rotten eggs? Here, we will go over why your washing machine smells like rotten eggs and what you can do to solve this problem.
- Stuck in The Seal
This one might seem silly, but it is much more common than you think. Front-load washing machines have a seal around the door to ensure that water doesn’t get out during the washing cycle. Things can get stuck in that seal. For example, a small rag or a sock could get stuck. They won’t affect the actual operation of the machine, but they can lead to a rotten egg smell from washer. The longer they remain stuck, the more they accumulate mold and mildew, which can wind up smelling terrible.
If you have this problem, simply remove the stuck item, and give your door and the seal a thorough rinse. Most front loaders come with the recommendation that you leave the door open in between loads to avoid a buildup of mold and mildew.
- Low Temperatures
If you wash every load in cold temperatures, you might eventually notice that your washer smells like eggs. A cold wash is conducive to bacteria, mildew, and mold growth.
The solution for this one is simple: when you are washing your whites, wash them in a hot setting!
- The Wrong Stuff
There is a reason that front loaders recommend using HE laundry detergent. It’s suitable for your clothes and perfect for a washing machine. When you use the wrong laundry detergent in a front loader, you risk having a buildup of soap and suds, which is an ideal place for mildew and mold to grow.
To fix this problem, clean your washing machine and use the recommended laundry detergent.
- Clogs
Washing machines make our life relatively easy, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t come with their flaws. It is possible for the drain in your washing machine to get clogged, which could be what is causing the smell of rotten eggs. Once the drain is clogged (generally with a sock or other small item), there is nowhere for the buildup of bacteria, mildew, and mold to go.
To fix this, you must locate the drain (usually in the back) and dig around to see if it is clogged. If so, remove the guilty culprit and run a cleaning cycle to help eliminate any bacterial growth in the washing machine.
- Washers Get Dirty, Too
It’s like that some people don’t know this, but washing machines get dirty as well. It’s counterintuitive, considering its primary purpose is to clean, but if you don’t regularly maintain your washing machine, you might have some foul-odored laundry loads. Dirt, soap, and bacteria build up over time, causing your washing machine to become dirty.
How you fix this will depend on the type of washing machine you have. If you have a front loader, there should be a cleaning cycle that you can run. Afterward, you will want to leave the door open to let the washing machine air out.
For a top loader, you will want to put it on its hottest setting. Once it has filled a bit, you will want to pour some bleach into the washing machine. Run two cycles of this, then leave the door open for a couple of hours before using the machine again.
There is also the possibility that your washing machine smells like eggs for other, bigger reasons. For example, the smell of rotten eggs is one of the signs of hard water. If you are unsure, you should contact an experienced professional.
If you have more questions, please contact Rainsoft today.
