Why Does My Washing Machine in Walnut Creek, CA Smell Moldy?

A musty smell is one of the most common complaints about washing machines. Many homeowners in Walnut Creek experience this issue. Whilst it is unpleasant, it is rarely due to a failure of the washing machine itself.

Most commonly, this is caused by moisture getting trapped in the washing machine. Water, soap and lint build up and cause mould and bacteria to grow. Most commonly this can be easily resolved, taking around an hour. This guide covers why your washing machine is smelling mouldy, how to clean it and when to call out a technician.

Quick Answer: Mould grows in the drum, door seal and drain. To combat this issue, run a hot wash and wipe the door seal. Ensure the door is left open after each wash.

Why Is My Washing Machine Smelling Mouldy?

The washing machine provides the perfect environment for mould to grow. It is warm, dark and moist. After every wash, a little water is left in the machine. This plus any leftover soap and body oil from your clothes creates a breeding ground for mould.

This can leave your towels, bed-linen and gym clothes smelling. Many people will increase the amount of soap they are using. However, this usually makes it worse!

Common Causes

Most machines will be experiencing a combination of these issues.

  • Door Seal: Front loaders have a rubber seal which collects water, hair and lint.
  • Too Much Soap: Excess soap can leave a film on the drum.
  • Fabric Softener: Thick and sticky. Can cause build-up in the dispenser.
  • Closed Door: No air can enter the drum so will be left damp.
  • Dirty Drain Pump Filter: Can cause a smell as lint, coins and old water can build-up.

Identifying What Is Causing The Smell

Not all bad smells will be due to mould. The below table can help identify the issue.

Smell Likely Cause First Step
Musty (like a damp basement) Mould in the door seal or drum Wipe the door seal and run a hot wash
Sour (like expired milk) Build-up of soap and softener Reduce amount of soap used and clean the dispenser
Rotten Egg / Sewage Drain issue or standing water Check drain filter and hose
Burnt / Electrical Motor or belt issue Unplug the washing machine
Important: If there is a burnt smell, this will not be mould. Unplug the washing machine and have a technician come out to check.

Why Front Loaders Can Smell

Front loading washing machines are efficient and clean well, however they can trap moisture. They have a rubber seal and after every wash will trap a small amount of water. The door is often closed straight after. This can cause black slimy build-up in the folds of the seal.

Top loaders can also suffer from this. Mould can get trapped under the agitator and between the inner and outer tub. The high efficiency machines do not rinse as well so soap can become trapped. If your front loader is still smelling after a few good cleans, you may want to consider front loader washing machine repair in Walnut Creek. A technician can check to see if water is trapped.

Walnut Creek Specific Issues

Many homes in Walnut Creek have hot dry summers and a wet winter. If there is a long period of rain, the air can become more humid inside. This can cause the washing machine to take longer to dry. This can cause issues with machines in garages, laundry rooms and condos where there is little air flow.

Low usage can also be an issue. If the drum is sitting closed and damp for days it can create the perfect environment for mould to grow. Usually, the ventilation and how you use the door will be the main issues causing the mouldy smell in your washing machine.

Tip: After a rainy week, leave the door open and detergent drawer open for a full day. If possible have a cracked window or little fan in the laundry room.

How To Clean A Mouldy Washing Machine

No special products are needed. Check your manufacturers manual for information. Some machines have a cleaning cycle built in. A few do not recommend using vinegar.

  1. Wipe The Door Seal: Lift up the rubber seal and wipe away any slimy build-up, hair and lint with a cloth and warm soapy water.
  2. Clean The Soap Dispenser: Soak in hot water and clean the hole with an old toothbrush.
  3. Hot Wash With Vinegar: Pour 2 cups of white vinegar into the empty drum and run on the hottest and longest cycle.
  4. Hot Wash With Bicarbonate Of Soda: Pour half a cup of bicarbonate of soda into the drum and run another hot wash.
  5. Clean The Drain Pump Filter: Most front loaders have a small panel on the bottom front. Place a towel down as water will come out.
Safety Note: Never mix bleach and vinegar as it creates a toxic gas. Use either one or the other. Rinse in between.

Tips For Prevention

Whilst a one off deep clean will not prevent this issue from happening again, a few simple changes can really help.

  • Open the door and drawer after each wash.
  • Use the correct amount of soap. Usually less is needed if using HE soap.
  • Avoid using liquid fabric softener or only occasionally.
  • Run a hot wash cycle every couple of months.
  • Wipe the door seal at the end of the day.


This issue can happen with other appliances.
Regular servicing can also help avoid small issues becoming larger. If your laundry still feels damp after a wash, your dryer may be struggling. Consider dryer repair.

When Cleaning Does Not Help

Sometimes after a good clean the smell remains. This is usually a sign of a deeper issue. Water can become trapped in the hoses or outer tub. Your drain pump may not be emptying fully.

If there are other signs of an issue, such as leaking, not draining quickly, loud noises or clothes not cleaning properly, a technician can open up the machine and identify the issue. Many homeowners will look into washing machine repair in Walnut Creek at this point. Generally, if the washing machine is under 10 years old and the cost of repairs is less than half the price of a new one, it makes sense to repair.

How To Fix The Smell Completely

Whilst it is annoying to have a mouldy smelling washing machine, it isn’t due to anything you have done. Washing machines have water in them and mould will grow where there is moisture. Simply wiping the door seal, having a hot wash and leaving the door open will resolve the issue for most people.

If the smell is not going away, having a quick inspection can save you a lot of guess work. Most washing machine repair in Walnut Creek CA will be due to an issue with the filter, hose or seal. Often this will be a small job.

Washing Machine Still Smells After Cleaning?

If your washing machine is still smelling mouldy, Zuta Appliance Repair can come out and check the drains, pump, hoses and seals. We can offer same day or next day service in Walnut Creek. Contact us today and we can fit you in at a convenient time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mould can hide in places that are hard to reach, such as the outer tub, the hoses or the drain pump. Leftover soap can also bring the smell back. If a deep clean does not help, a technician should check inside the machine.
A small amount is mostly a nuisance. It can bother people with allergies or asthma, and damp clothes with a musty smell may irritate skin. It is best to clean the washing machine and fix the cause soon.
Once a month works for most homes. Wiping the door seal each week is a good idea too. Households that wash a lot of sports gear or run many loads may need to clean it a bit more often.
Either can work, but never use them together. Some manufacturers warn that vinegar can wear down rubber seals over time, and others say bleach is too harsh for certain parts. The manual will say what your brand recommends.
Yes. A technician can clean or replace the drain pump, hoses and door seal, and check for standing water. For appliance repair in Walnut Creek when a smell will not go away, Zuta can take a look.

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These guys are great! We have a very old Maytag dryer that is still running. There were a couple of minor problems with it and they fixed it quickly. It wasn't cheap, but reasonable for prices these days. They arranged the proposal, I think it was $85 which goes toward the repair if you choose them. They came out saw the issue and ordered the parts then came as soon as the parts came in, about 3-4 days later and quickly repaired. the repair tech called before arriving and was very sweet and polite.
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My almost new Miele washer dies, family is slightly panicking, and I call the top referral on chatGBT, Zuta Appliance Repair, in Berkeley. They were quickly up to speed on the call, the woman was knowledgeable, got me scheduled easily, and answered all my questions without needing to be prompted, including pricing. Mark shows up on time, texted when he was a few minutes out, and from the very beginning I liked him, intelligent, friendly, and gave me great advice. He was clearly interested in saving me from unnecessary expenditure, and was very open to giving advice as to how I could trouble shoot it, offering to come back if necessary. Miele is a difficult company to deal with, and Mark was detailed in his instructions all of which made sense and were easy to follow. And here’s where Mark and the Zuta really showed themselves. I still needed help after trying to make the initial fixes, so, I'm calling for more help, more tech support, cause my family now needs laundry done, and instead of getting tired of me, they're answering texts and offering more help. I call the shop,...again, she remembers me by name, and the job, she's super friendly, tells me that Mark is going to be in touch, there are several back and forths, every time we talk she remembers me, and has all the details in mind. She clearly cares, follows through with everything she says, always when she said she would. Mark calls me, and walks me through the next phase of fixes. Mark's on long days, calling me on a Saturday, not trying to get off the phone, very positive, clearly cares, and his advise is solid and very clear. I can’t over emphasize how grateful I am to have him and the shop being so supportive, with my family looking at me,...big question marks in their eyes. This goes on for more than a week, Mark continues to call me when I’m needing advice and he’s even getting on the phone with Miele (1hr hold times average) and getting info for the fix that I’m trying to do, they're not charging me for all this, I’m stunned, I haven’t had this kind of interaction with a business since…. there were Pterodactyls flying the skies. So today, after work Mark calls me again, and this time I find the problem, texting him pics, and he’s looking at them and giving me a whole new slew of advice. Again, at no charge, by this point in the process I spent $85 total, for the initial service call. Zuta appliance is the best service experience I’ve had in years, I feel like paying them for the time they didn’t charge me, just on principle and good manners. I will never look for another appliance repair again, can’t overstate how much I recommend this shop.
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Our dryer had been out of commission since before the holidays. I thought I would get around to trying to fiz it myself but it became clearer it wasn’t gonna happen. In the middle of disassembling and reassembling the whole house, it occurred to me that the ability to do laundry without having to dry everything on the line outside would probably be really helpful! I called Zuta, and they happened to have a same day opening due to a cancelation. Bo showed up, tested the unit to make sure it even needed to be fixed, and then went to work! With all the work we’re doing here, the working conditions were far from ideal, but Bo got it done with limited space to work with. I kid you not, the man is a master of his craft! All while being so incredibly friendly and professional. He gave me a lot of really helpful advice to take into account going forward, and left me with a machine running as good as new. If Zuta’s techs are all even half as awesome as Bo, I’ll happily call them the next time something comes up!
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