Appliance Spares
Musty, sour, rotten eggs or sewage: each smell points somewhere different. Work through them in order, easiest first.
Quick answer: A smelly washing machine means water and detergent residue are sitting somewhere and growing bacteria. Check the door seal, the detergent drawer, the drain pump filter, the drain hose, then your wash habits. Most smells clear with a clean. A pump that hums but won’t drain, or a seal that holds water, needs replacing.
What does the smell tell you?
| Smell | Likely source | Try first | If that fails |
|---|---|---|---|
| Musty, damp towel | Door seal fold | Clean and dry the fold | Door seal |
| Sour, slimy | Detergent drawer | Pull it out and scrub the cavity | Use less detergent and softener |
| Stagnant pond water | Drain pump filter | Clean the filter | Drain pump |
| Rotten eggs or sewage | Drain hose or the house drain | Check the hose height and standpipe | Hose or a plumber |
| Burning or electrical | Motor or wiring | Stop using it, unplug it | Call a repairer |
1. The door seal (2 minutes)
The bottom fold holds water between washes. A 2021 study found it was among the most contaminated spots in home machines. Wipe and dry it, and leave the door ajar.
2. The detergent drawer (5 minutes)
In the same study, the drawer chamber had the highest bacterial count of any spot tested. Pull the drawer right out and scrub the cavity, especially the roof where softener sprays.
3. The drain pump filter (10 minutes)
It’s behind the small flap at the bottom front of most front loaders. Lay a towel and a shallow tray down, pull out the emergency drain tube if there is one, then unscrew the filter slowly. Expect lint, coins, hair ties and smelly water.
4. The drain hose
If the hose is pushed too far into the standpipe, or there’s no high loop, dirty water and drain smells can come back. If the smell only shows near the standpipe, it may be the house plumbing.
5. Cold washes and too much detergent
Fine for clothes, but residue builds up. Run a tub-clean or hot empty cycle monthly and use the dose on the pack.
Smell tells you where to look. It doesn’t tell you how clean the machine is.
Pump hums but won’t drain?
Water left in the drum or a drain error code after cleaning the filter usually means the pump has failed. Shop drain pumps →
Frequently asked questions
Why does my front loader smell like rotten eggs?
Usually trapped water in the pump or hose, or sewer gas from the standpipe. Clean the filter, then check the hose.
Why do my clothes smell after washing?
Often a dirty seal or drawer, too much detergent, or clothes left wet in the drum too long.
Where is the drain pump filter?
On most front loaders, behind a small flap at the bottom front. Check your manual.
How do I know the drain pump has failed?
Water left in the drum, a hum with no draining, or a drain error after cleaning the filter.
Sources
- Jacksch S et al. (2021). Microorganisms. PMC8146927
More on washing machine smells and mould
- Washing cold saves up to 80% of the energy: do this once a month so your machine doesn't pay for it
- Mouldy laundry in a rental? Who fixes what, and the dryer fault soaking your walls
- Bleach and vinegar in the washer? The cleaning hack that makes chlorine gas
- How to remove mould from a washing machine door seal
Oz Appliance Spares ships from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Australian-owned since 2009. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
