How to clean the inside of your washing machine and get rid of the musty smell forever

We have all experienced this situation: you take your supposedly clean clothes out of the washing machine, bring them close to your face, and... they smell musty. Or worse, like mold. It is very frustrating to waste water, electricity, and detergent only to end up with clothes that smell worse than before washing them.

At Net i Pulit, we encounter this problem constantly, both in private homes and rental apartments we clean. The reality is that the washing machine is the appliance that accumulates the most water and, paradoxically, the one we least often clean on the inside.

Today, we will explain step by step how to leave your washing machine looking brand new, without using harsh chemicals that damage the internal mechanisms.

Why does your washing machine smell musty?

Before getting down to work, we need to understand why this happens. Mainly, there are three culprits:

• Excess soap and fabric softener: Residues accumulate in invisible pipes and form a paste where bacteria happily grow.

• Always washing in cold water: Short programs at 20°C or 30°C are great for saving energy, but they do not kill bacteria.

• Slamming the door shut: The worst mistake. If you close the door right after taking out the clothes, the residual moisture cannot escape and creates the perfect ecosystem for mold.

Step by step: How to deep clean your washing machine

You don't need expensive products. With what you have at home and a little dedication, you'll have it ready in half an hour.

1. The door seal (The mold nest)

This is where hair, tissue remnants, and stagnant water accumulate, eventually turning black.

• The trick: Mix equal parts water and white cleaning vinegar. Soak a cloth with this mixture and tuck it right inside the fold of the rubber seal. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

• Afterward, remove the cloth and scrub with an old toothbrush. Dry it very well with paper towels or a dry cloth.

2. The detergent drawer (Where the clog begins)

Remove the drawer completely (they usually have a small plastic tab in the center to release them).

• Submerge it in a basin with hot water and a splash of vinegar.

• While it softens, take the opportunity to clean the slot in the washing machine where the drawer fits; it usually has remnants of black fabric softener stuck to the ceiling.

3. The filter (The great forgotten one)

Usually, it is located at the bottom right of the appliance. Pro tip: Before opening it, place an old towel on the floor and have a shallow container handy (like a baking tray or a soup bowl), because dirty water will come out.

• Unscrew the filter, take out any coins, bobby pins, or clothing remnants caught inside, clean it under the tap, and screw it back on tightly.

4. Cleaning the drum and internal pipes

This is the step that will eliminate the odor at its root.

• With the washing machine completely empty, put half a cup of baking soda directly inside the drum.

• Add a good splash of cleaning vinegar to the detergent drawer.

• Run a long cycle, the hottest your machine allows (minimum 60°C, ideally 90°C). The boiling water mixed with the ingredients will break down the grease and kill the hidden bacteria.

Daily maintenance to prevent the bad smell from returning

To avoid having to do this deep cleaning every month, apply these three simple habits:

• Leave the door ajar: Always, without exception, after every wash. Do the same with the soap drawer.

• Wipe the seal: It takes 5 seconds to dry the fold of the rubber seal when taking out damp clothes.

• Adjust the doses: Adding more fabric softener won't make your clothes smell better. Use only the recommended amount.

Need professional help cleaning your home or business?

These tricks work wonders for domestic maintenance. But if you manage a very large home, tourist apartments, or need your office to always be spotless and odor-free, time is money.

At Net i Pulit, we take care of professional cleaning so you don't have to worry about a thing. Visit our homepage and discover our maintenance services for individuals and companies.