Why Does My Washer Smell?
A musty washer is common in humid places like Brandon. Most of the time you can fix it yourself in an afternoon.Last updated November 12, 2026 · Written for Brandon, FL households
Washer odor usually comes from damp residue in the door gasket, detergent drawer, drum or pump filter. Clean those, run the cleaning cycle, use less HE detergent and leave the door open between loads. If it keeps coming back, the washer may not be draining fully.
Why washers start to smell
Washers stay damp, and residue from detergent, fabric softener and body oils builds up where you can't see it. In a humid place like Brandon, the inside of a closed washer stays damp even longer. Front-loaders get it worst in the rubber door gasket. Top-loaders get it under the agitator and around the tub.
How to get rid of it
- Wipe the door gasket on a front-loader, pulling back the folds. Remove hair, lint and any slime.
- Clean the detergent and softener drawer. Pull it out if your model allows.
- Run the washer's cleaning cycle with a washer cleaner, or the hottest cycle with nothing inside.
- Clean the drain pump filter on a front-loader. Trapped lint and debris rot there.
- Leave the door or lid open between loads so the drum can dry.
- Use HE detergent and less of it. Extra detergent leaves residue that feeds the smell.
When it's a repair
If the smell comes back quickly, the washer may not be draining completely and is leaving water in the tub or pump. A sewer smell can also come from the house drain, not the washer. If you think water is sitting where it shouldn't, see washer repair in Brandon.
Common questions
Why does my front-load washer smell like mildew?
Water and residue trapped in the door gasket and drum. Wipe the gasket, run a cleaning cycle and leave the door open.
Why does my washer smell like sewage?
Often it's the drain line or standpipe in the house. A plumber can check the drain and trap.
How often should I run a cleaning cycle?
Many manufacturers suggest about once a month. Check your manual.
Related help
Still not working?
If the checks above didn't fix it, an independent technician who covers Brandon can diagnose it.