
There are many reasons why your laundry room might smell. It could be something to do with your washing machine, drainage issues, or even the laundry itself.
Washing machines can get dirty over time, with soap scum, mildew, lint, and mould building up in the crevices of the drum and the rubber seal. This can cause bacteria to form and create a bad smell. It's important to clean your washing machine regularly and remove any objects that might be trapped under the seal.
Drainage issues, such as blockages, leaks, or flooding, can also cause a sewage smell in your laundry room. This is because bacteria and microbes build up in the drains and create an unpleasant odour. Small laundry rooms are more prone to this issue, as the smell gets trapped in the space.
Finally, the laundry itself can be the source of the smell. Leaving dirty clothes in the hamper for too long can cause them to break down and start smelling due to the build-up of gases. Forgetting to remove clothes from the washing machine can also lead to the growth of mould and mildew, resulting in a stinky laundry room.
To prevent these issues, it's important to maintain good laundry habits, such as promptly washing and drying clothes, as well as regularly cleaning your washing machine and laundry room.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Cause of smell | Sewer gases, bacteria, mould, mildew, dirty washing machine, dirty laundry, leaks, flooding, blockages, poor ventilation, clogged vent pipes, clogged drain lines, water heater issues |
Solutions | Increase ventilation, clean the washing machine, sanitise the washing machine, clean the drain lines, examine pipes and drains, adjust the water heater, clean the ventilation system |
What You'll Learn
Dirty washing machine
A dirty washing machine can be a bit of an oxymoron. After all, it's constantly filled with warm water, soap, bleach, and other cleaning agents meant to get stains and smells out of your clothes. But, unfortunately, washing machines can get dirty and smelly, and this can cause your laundry room to smell too.
Washing machines can develop unpleasant odours for a number of reasons. One of the most common causes is mildew or mould, which can occur when there is a build-up of soap scum, dirt, body oil, hair, and detergent residue inside the machine. This build-up often occurs in the seals, gaskets, and dispensers of the machine, where it can be difficult to clean. Front-loading washing machines, in particular, are susceptible to mildew and mould because water can sit in the folds of the rubber door gasket, creating an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
Another cause of a smelly washing machine is using the wrong type or amount of detergent. High-efficiency front-loading machines, for example, require special high-efficiency detergents. If a regular detergent is used, there may not be enough water to flush away all the soap, and a layer of soap scum can build up on the drum, which then mixes with dirt and debris from your clothes. This scum, combined with the damp, warm environment of the washing machine, creates the perfect conditions for mildew, bacteria, and mould to grow.
To prevent your washing machine from getting dirty and smelly, it's important to clean it regularly. This includes cleaning the tub, gaskets, dispensers, and other surfaces. It's also a good idea to leave the door open between loads to allow the drum and gasket to dry out and to use the correct type and amount of detergent.
If your washing machine is already dirty and smelly, there are several ways to clean it. One method is to use a mixture of bleach, vinegar, and baking soda. First, remove and scrub all the soap, bleach, and fabric softener dispensers. Then, add bleach to the machine and run a wash cycle at the highest temperature, letting it sit for 30 minutes before finishing the cycle. Next, run a rinse cycle to remove any traces of bleach. Finally, mix baking soda and water and add this solution to the machine's detergent container, along with vinegar in the drum, and run another high-temperature cycle.
Another way to clean a smelly washing machine is to use a washing machine cleaner, such as Affresh tablets. These tablets are designed to clean the interiors of washing machines and can help minimise soap scum build-up.
By keeping your washing machine clean and well-maintained, you can help prevent unpleasant odours and ensure your laundry room stays fresh and inviting.
Poor ventilation
Laundry rooms can be a significant source of contaminants, especially if they contain a washer and dryer, which produce heat and humidity. The high humidity can lead to the growth of mould and mildew, which not only smell unpleasant but can also damage clothing, walls, and floors.
In addition, the off-gassing of cleaning detergents and other chemicals stored in the laundry room can contribute to poor air quality and unpleasant smells.
To improve ventilation in your laundry room, consider installing a ventilation fan. This is the best option to remove contaminants from your home. A two-speed fan is ideal, as it can run continuously at a low speed and switch to a higher speed when the room is occupied. If a two-speed fan is not an option, even a small, inexpensive single-speed fan will make a significant difference in reducing contaminants.
Another way to improve ventilation is to keep the door to the laundry room open, allowing air to circulate between the laundry room and the rest of the house. However, this may not be ideal if the rest of the home is not properly ventilated, as it will simply disperse contaminants into other areas.
Finally, if your laundry room has windows, opening them can help improve ventilation and allow fresh air to circulate, especially during pleasant weather. However, this may not be sufficient during harsh winter months or in areas with extreme temperatures.
Blocked drain pipes
- Clogged vent pipes: All drain systems must be properly vented to prevent sewer gases from seeping into the home. If the vent pipe is clogged, sewer gases will vent into the laundry room, and the odours will come from the walls around the vent pipe.
- Clogged drain lines: If there is a clog in the drain line, it allows water to back up in the machine, leading to bacterial build-up and unpleasant odours. Even partial clogs may create sewer smells due to bacteria build-up from clogged organic materials such as excess hair and soap scum.
- Improperly installed P-trap: The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe designed to trap and hold water, preventing gases and odours from the sewer from creeping up your drain. If the P-trap dries out, it can no longer effectively stop sewer gases from entering your laundry room.
- Leaking pipes: Leaking pipes can allow hydrogen sulfide to escape, causing a sewer odour. Loose-fitting pipes, perforations, and clogs containing strong chemicals can all contribute to leaking pipes.
- Natural gas leak: Although less common, a natural gas leak can also cause a rotten egg smell in your laundry room. Utility companies add the chemical mercaptan to odourless natural gas to give it a distinct smell so that you can easily identify leaks.
To address blocked drain pipes and the resulting odours, it is important to identify the specific cause and take appropriate corrective actions. In some cases, you may need to call a professional plumber for assistance.
Mould and mildew
To prevent and eliminate mildew in the laundry room, several measures can be taken:
- Control humidity levels: Keep the humidity in the laundry room below 50% to deter mould growth. This can be achieved by using a dehumidifier, opening a window, or installing a good ventilation system with a ceiling vent.
- Proper painting: If the laundry room has poor ventilation, use a semi-gloss paint with an anti-mould and mildew agent for the walls and ceiling.
- Washer care: Remove clothes from the washer immediately after the cycle ends and either hang them to dry or put them in the dryer. Leaving wet clothes in the washer can lead to mildew growth. Frequent cleaning of the washer and leaving the door open after each cycle can also help prevent mildew.
- Water connection maintenance: Regularly check the water connections to the washer for leaks, as hidden leaks can cause laundry room mould to grow in the insulation behind the drywall.
- Dryer maintenance: Keep the dryer lint filter clean and ensure proper venting to the outside with an approved rigid dryer duct. Regularly check the duct for lint buildup and secure attachment to the dryer.
If mildew is already present in the laundry room, it is important to take action to remove it and prevent further growth:
- Identification: Determine if it is mildew or black mould. Mildew will lighten or disappear when dabbed with a cotton swab dipped in chlorine bleach.
- Cleaning: Use a scrub brush and a solution of water and chlorine bleach to wipe down all surfaces, even those that don't show growth. Wear a mask and gloves to protect yourself from airborne spores.
- Weekly cleaning: After removing the mould, clean the laundry room weekly to remove potential food sources for mould spores.
- Replacement of affected materials: If mould has grown on wood trim, drywall, or insulation, these materials must be replaced to completely eliminate the mould.
- Ventilation: Open windows and use fans to improve ventilation and remove musty smells.
- Odour absorbers: Use natural odour absorbers like activated charcoal or baking soda to eliminate any remaining odours.
Sewer gases
There are several reasons why sewer gases may be leaking into your laundry room. One common cause is a dried-out P-trap. The P-trap is a U-shaped pipe designed to trap and hold water, creating a barrier that prevents sewer gases from entering your home. If the water in the P-trap evaporates, it can no longer block the gases, and you may need to simply run some water from the faucet to fix the issue.
Another possible cause of sewer gas leaks is an improperly installed washing machine. If the flexible drain hose is inserted too far into the drainage box, it can prevent the P-trap from functioning properly, allowing gases to seep into the room. In this case, you may need to adjust the drain hose or have the machine reinstalled by a professional.
Clogged drain or vent pipes can also lead to sewer gas leaks. Blockages caused by lint, debris, or soap scum accumulation can result in stagnant water, which can develop a foul smell. In addition, clogs can disrupt the proper flow of water, causing sewage odours to leak back into your laundry area.
If you suspect a sewer gas leak, it is important to address the issue promptly. Start by identifying the source of the smell and trying some basic troubleshooting steps, such as pouring water down the drain pipe to rule out a dried-out P-trap. If the problem persists, contact a professional plumber or sewer repair company to diagnose and resolve any complex plumbing issues.
Frequently asked questions
The laundry room can smell like sewage due to problems with drainage or ventilation. Bacteria and microbes build up and colonize, creating a terrible odour. Some causes of this bacterial build-up include blockages in your pipework and drainage system, leaky pipes, and flooding.
Regularly cleaning the washer and dryer components prone to mould and mildew buildup is essential. This includes the rubber door boot, drain pump filter, and dryer lint trap. Additionally, implementing preventive measures such as leaving the washer door open for ventilation and promptly removing wet laundry can help inhibit mould and mildew growth.
Dirty clothes left in the clothes hamper can start to smell due to the build-up of gases and the growth of mould and mildew. Another common reason is forgetting to remove clothes from the washing machine after the cycle ends.
To eliminate the odour, identify the source of the problem first. If the issue is with your washing machine, clean it with soap and water, sanitise it with bleach, and remove any build-up with vinegar. If the smell is coming from the drain, clean the drain line with baking soda and vinegar.