That rotten egg odor is unmistakable when we smell it; it’s a scent we recognize no matter where we are. However, it can be a surprise when you have a front load washer smell like rotten eggs. This can be caused by mold and low washing temperatures.
Front Load Washer Smell Like Rotten Eggs? Here’s How to Clear the Air.
Is it your clothes? The water? When you have a front load washer smell like rotten eggs it typically stems from bacteria. When comparing a front load vs. top load washer, front-loaders are more prone to moldy build up because the rubber gasket around the door is a favorite bacterial haven.
When your washer smells like eggs we’ll show you how to banish the smell with proper cleaning!
Why Your Front Load Washer Smells Like Rotten Eggs
Bacteria grow best in warm, moist environments, making front-loading washers prime bacterial real estate. When bacteria metabolize they create hydrogen sulfide gas, which is the source of the rotten egg smell in a front-loading washer. Here’s why a washer can be a bacterial breeding ground:
- Drain/venting problem: the drain from your washing machine may have a venting problem that should be assessed by a professional.
- Low washing temperatures: Habitually washing clothes at a low temperature creates the perfect warm environment for bacterial growth.
- Wrong detergent: using a non-HE detergent in a front-loading machine creates a soap sud buildup that hosts bacteria.
- Keeping the door on your washer closed: leaving the washer door closed preserves the warm, moist environment bacteria need to multiply.
How to Get Rid of Rotten Egg Odor in Front Load Washer
When your washing machine smells bad a proper cleaning and regular monthly cleanings should remove the odor once and for all. We suggest these cleaning tips when you have a front load washer smell like rotten eggs:
- Clean the door gasket of the washer with a cloth dipped in a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar or a 1:10 solution of bleach and water.
- Fill the bleach dispenser of your washer with bleach and run an empty cleaning cycle.
- Bleach alternative: Pour a washing machine cleaner or a ½ cup of baking soda mixed with 2 cups of distilled white vinegar in the tub of the washer and run an empty cleaning cycle.
- Leave the door open overnight and continue to leave the door open when the machine is not in use.
A front load washer smell like rotten eggs can be a thing of the past now that you know the causes and how to prevent them. And if you have a present need for a new washing machine, call Northeast Appliance for the best prices and service!
