Easy Steps to Keep Your Washing Machine Fresh and Odor-Free

Our washing machine is supposed to make things cleaner, so there’s nothing more frustrating than opening the door and being greeted by a musty, “wet sock” smell.

In the UAE, heat and humidity can make this even worse. Moist air, closed bathrooms, and tightly sealed apartments create the perfect environment for mold, mildew, and bacteria to grow inside your washer – especially in the drum, rubber door seal, and detergent drawer.

The good news? With a few simple habits and a basic monthly routine, you can keep your washing machine fresh, hygienic, and running efficiently for years. As AFRA, a brand designed for everyday UAE households, we’ve put together some easy, practical steps you can follow.

1. Understand Why Your Washer Smells

Before fixing the problem, it helps to know the cause. Most odors come from:

Moisture that never fully dries

Detergent and softener residue stuck inside the machine

Dirt, skin cells, and oils washed off from clothes

Mold and bacteria growing on the rubber seal, drum, filter, and detergent drawer

Low-temperature washes, leaving wet laundry inside for too long, and closing the door immediately after use all make things worse. Once you know this, the solution is simple: reduce residue and keep things dry.

2. Let Your Washing Machine “Breathe” After Every Wash

The easiest and most effective step you can start today:

After a wash, leave the door slightly open

Pull out the detergent drawer a little

If possible, keep the bathroom/laundry room door open for a while

This allows air to circulate and moisture to evaporate instead of being trapped in a dark, sealed space – which is exactly what mold loves.

Think of it as letting your washer “dry off” just like your clothes.

3. Remove Wet Clothes Promptly

We all do it sometimes: start a cycle, get busy, and only remember hours later. But leaving wet clothes inside is one of the fastest ways to create a musty smell.

Get into this habit:

As soon as the cycle ends, take the clothes out

If you can’t be nearby, use the end-of-cycle beeper or set a timer on your phone

For AFRA front-loaders, you can plan loads when you know you’ll be at home to empty them

Your clothes stay fresher, and your machine doesn’t become a mini sauna full of damp fabric.

4. Give the Rubber Door Seal Some Attention

If you have a front-load washing machine, the rubber gasket around the door is a common odor hotspot. Water, hair, lint and detergent collect in the folds and quietly grow mold.

Once a week (or at least every couple of washes):

Gently pull back the rubber seal.

Wipe inside with a soft cloth and warm soapy water.

Dry it with a towel or tissue.

If you spot dark spots or slime, clean more frequently until it’s gone. This one step can dramatically reduce that “old damp towel” smell.

5. Run a Monthly “Self-Care Wash” for Your Machine

Just like your clothes, your washing machine needs its own wash now and then.

Once a month:

Run an empty hot cycle (60°C or higher if your machine allows).

Use:

A washing machine cleaner, or

A mix of baking soda in the drum and a little detergent in the drawer (if your manual allows this).

This hot maintenance wash helps:

• Break down detergent residue
• Wash away hidden dirt
• Kill odor-producing bacteria and mildew

Many modern machines even have a dedicated “Drum Clean” or “Tub Clean” program. If your AFRA model has this feature, make use of it regularly.

6. Use the Right Detergent – and Less Than You Think

It’s easy to think “more detergent = cleaner clothes,” but in reality:

Too much detergent leaves sticky residue on the drum and inside pipes.

That residue traps dirt and feeds bacteria, leading to smells.

In high-efficiency front-loaders, overdosing is a common cause of bad odor.

Follow these tips:

Use a HE (high-efficiency) detergent if recommended by your machine’s manual.

Stick to the measuring lines on the cap – don’t pour “by feeling.”

If your area has hard water, you may need the recommended medium dose, not maximum.

Your clothes will rinse better, and your machine will stay cleaner inside.

7. Clean the Detergent Drawer and Filter Regularly

Two places most people ignore (until there’s a problem) are:

The Detergent Drawer

Every 1–2 months:

Pull out the drawer completely (if your machine allows).

Soak it in warm soapy water.

Scrub away any slime or mold.

Wipe inside the drawer compartment too.

Let it dry fully before putting it back.

The Filter / Drain Pump

Many washers have a small filter near the bottom front:

Switch off and unplug the machine.

Place a tray or towel under the filter cover (some water will come out).

Open the cap and remove lint, coins, hairpins etc.

Clean the cap and housing, then close it securely.

A clean filter not only reduces odors but also helps your machine drain properly and perform better.

8. Don’t Be Afraid of the Occasional Hot Wash

In the UAE, many people wash at 30–40°C to protect fabrics and save energy – which is good. But never using hot water can encourage bacteria to accumulate over time.

You don’t have to wash everything hot, but try:

Washing towels, bedsheets and gym wear at 60°C occasionally.

Alternating between cool and warmer washes during the month.

This helps kill germs on fabrics and inside the drum.

9. Keep the Area Around the Washer Dry and Clean

A fresh washer in a damp, moldy corner still won’t smell pleasant.

Wipe up any spills or leaks around the machine.

Make sure hoses aren’t dripping.

Avoid stacking wet mops, buckets or soggy rugs right next to the washer.

If your washer is in a closed bathroom, try using the exhaust fan regularly.

Lower humidity around the machine means less mold inside it too.

10. When to Call a Technician

If you’ve:

Cleaned the seal

Run hot maintenance cycles

Cleaned the detergent drawer and filter

Ventilated the machine regularly

…and the smell still keeps coming back, there may be a deeper issue:

Hidden buildup inside pipes

Poor drainage

A partial blockage

Damaged seal or internal part

In that case, it’s worth calling a professional technician to check the machine, especially if it’s older or heavily used.

Final Spin: Treat Your Washer Like Part of the Laundry

Your washing machine is doing hard work for you almost every day. Treating it like part of your laundry routine – not just the tool – makes a big difference.

A quick wipe, leaving the door open, a monthly hot clean and correct detergent use can:

Keep your washer fresh and odor-free

Help your clothes come out smelling truly clean

Extend the life of your AFRA washing machine

Small habits. Big impact. And a fresher laundry day, every day.