A musty, sour washer smell usually comes from trapped moisture mixed with detergent residue. Front-load and high-efficiency washers are especially prone to it because they use less water and can stay damp between loads.
These steps apply to LG, Samsung, GE, Whirlpool, and similar front-load and HE top-load washers.
Does this affect you?
Odor often starts in the door gasket, detergent drawer, drum, drain pump filter, or drain hose. Mold and bacteria feed on leftover detergent and fabric softener residue in damp areas.
Fast fixes and daily habits
- Leave the door and detergent drawer open between loads.
- Wipe the rubber door gasket after washing, especially the lower fold.
- Use HE detergent in HE machines and use less than the maximum line.
- Run a hot empty Tub Clean or Clean Washer cycle monthly with a washer cleaner tablet or white vinegar if the manual allows it.
- Move wet laundry out within 30 to 60 minutes when possible.
Clean the detergent dispenser drawer
- Pull the drawer out, pressing the release tab if needed.
- Soak it in warm water with dish soap for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Scrub compartments and the rear channel with an old toothbrush.
- Rinse and let it dry completely.
- Repeat monthly or every couple of months.
Unplug the washer before opening the drain pump filter access. Keep towels and a shallow pan ready because residual water can pour out and may still be warm.
Clean the drain pump filter
- Open the lower front filter door on front-load models.
- Drain water slowly into a shallow container.
- Remove the filter and clear lint, hair, coins, and gray residue.
- Rinse the filter and wipe the housing.
- Reinstall tightly and run an empty hot cycle.
A humid laundry closet or basement can keep the washer damp. Leave the room door open or use a dehumidifier if the smell keeps returning.
If the drawer, seal, drum, and pump filter are clean but odor remains, mold may be deeper in the drain hose or standpipe. At that point, a technician or plumber can inspect the drain path.
Sources
- LG Electronics – Washer Odor: Causes and Cleaning Cycle (2025)
- Whirlpool – How to Clean a Front-Load Washer (2024)
- Samsung Support – Preventing Washing Machine Odor (2025)