Does your washing machine smell like a wet dog? Do you clothes come out smellier than when they went in? Do you dishes smell worse than last night’s curry?

Smelly appliances are common and (fortunately) they are easy to fix. Here are our hints and tips to how rid your appliances of unwanted smells and how to keep them at bay.

Washing Machine

When you open the washing machine door and are hit with the smell of mould and damp rather than freshly cleaned clothes, it’s really not ideal! Smelly washers are common as they can be a breading ground for mould and bacteria. Here’s how to keep these nasty smells at bay:

• Regularly clean your washer with a cleaner and descaler. It will remove limescale and detergent build up to prevent smells and stop them from harming your machine. We recommend you do this at least once a month.
• Don’t leave clothes in the machine. Remove your laundry as soon as the cycle is finished to prevent mould and mildew growing on your clothing.
• Leave the door open after your wash to let some air get to your machine.

Dishwasher

A dirty dishwasher means dirty dishes! If yours is smelling like a dogs dinner, it’s time for a clean! Odours may have built up from food getting stuck in the machine. Give it a good clean inside including the filters and spray arms to remove any trapped food and hidden grime. To prevent these smells from returning, here’s what you need to do:

• Regularly clean your washer with a cleaner and descaler. Again, once a month is recommended.
• Remove food from plates and cutlery before putting them in the dishwasher.
• Regularly clean the filter.

Fridge

Lots of items go in and out of your fridge every day so it’s easy to forget that veg that’s past it’s use by date or leave leftovers in there for far longer than they should be! This can cause your fridge to have all sorts of unwanted smells. First, you’ll need to empty everything out of your fridge and give it a good clean. Here are some things you can do to ensure those smells remain gone!

• Check expiration dates regularly and chuck out anything that has past.
• Label leftovers and open sauces with the date they need to be chucked away.
• Use a fridge deodoriser to keep smells at bay.

Tumble Dryer

If you’re clothes and towels aren’t coming out the dryer as fresh as you hoped, it’s time for a clean! Wipe down the inside, the sensor and the heat exchanger and empty the water reservoir to get rid of the unwanted smell. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Clean the above components regularly.
• Clear the lint filter after every use and vacuum any left over inside the machine.
• Remove any trapped debris.
• Run smaller loads. Too-large loads take longer to dry and can lead to bacteria growth.

Be sure to regularly clean your household appliances to rid any unwanted smells and keep them working for longer! If you think your appliance may have developed a fault, head over to our Advice Centre for help with diagnosing and fixing the problem.

Tags: Appliance Odours, Household Appliances, Limescale, Smelly Appliances