Smelly Washer Cleaner Review: Took 5 Treatments But Got Rid Of The Moldy Smell

by Traci
(Delaware)

Traci shared her Smelly Washer cleaner review, for cleaning and removing smells from her washing machine. She also compares her experiences with this product and Affresh washer cleaner.

Traci says:

I purchased this washing machine cleaner about 3 years ago, soon after we moved to a new apartment. My son was complaining about the towels smelling moldy.


No matter what I tried I couldn’t get rid of the smell. I tried everything I could think of but nothing worked. I couldn’t understand why the smell was there. It is not like I was leaving them sitting in stagnant water for days on end.

Then, I ran across a website selling a product called "Smelly Washer" and it made me remember when my friend had mentioned she has used this product before to solve the smell in her front loader. I asked her and she thought it would work on top loaders as well so I gave it a try.

The product was costly from the website I got it at originally, but I've since learned that Amazon has a much better price for it.


The first time I used it I didn’t notice any change in the mold. It took about 5 cycles with the product to get rid of the smell.

I have also tried Affresh washer cleaner too, but I didn’t like the tablet approach and it seemed to leave a grainy residue whereas the Smelly Washer did not. Plus I liked the scent
more with this product than with Affresh.

I now use this washing machine cleaner religiously every month to make sure the mold smell doesn’t return. Until I got the smell under control though I used it about once a week.

The best part of this product is that I now don't have to throw away anymore dishtowels or bath towels. I was spending so much money buying towels just to avoid having to smell the stench.

Now I just have to purchase this product and it saves me tons of money plus the embarrassment of having smelly moldy towels.

Taylor says:

Thanks Traci for your review of this product.

I read a bit more about it on Amazon once you sent in this review and when I looked it had 80 reviews, with an average rating of 4 stars. That's not too bad. I would love to hear from even more people who have used it to share how it worked for you, good or bad. You can share your reviews here for this or any other washing machine cleaner to tell me what you liked, or didn't about it and why.

I noticed it also had a similar product to remove smells from towels. Has anyone used this? If so, I would love to hear how it worked for you. You can share your laundry supplies review here.

In addition, you can share your tips for how to clean a washing machine here, or read other tips which have already been submitted.

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Smelly Washer Got Out Musty Odor In Machine Plus In Towels Too

by Jennifer
(Maryland)

Jennifer says:

I used this product to clean my front-load washing machine.

My front loader was smelling pretty musty and it couldn't have been getting my clothes very clean.

I followed the directions (1 cap full, let the cycle run for a couple minutes, stop the cycle, and let it soak overnight, finish the cycle).

It took about 3 rounds to get my washer clean, but it definitely worked.

I read where fabric softener contributes to the build up that causes the odor, so I started using distilled white vinegar instad of commercial fabric softener.

Now I no longer have problems with odor unless my husband forgets to put his load in the dryer.

It also works great on musty smelling towels and stinky clothes.

Some of my husbands shirts had developed a horrible odor when wet that was transferring to other clothes in the washer.

I tried everything -- borax, soaking in vinegar, air drying in the sun, Febreeze sport -- and nothing made a dent.

I finally decided to try the Smelly Washer and it worked like a charm in one 2 hour soak session.

It may seem a bit expensive, but you only use a capful at a time and one bottle is worth about 24 cleaning cycles.

I've had mine for at least a couple years, so it's really cost effective.

Taylor says:

Thanks for this review Jennifer.

Has anyone else used this product either for their machine or for clothes and towels with odors? If so, I'd love to hear what you think about it as well. You can share your review or experience here and I'll add it to the site.

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Comments for Smelly Washer Got Out Musty Odor In Machine Plus In Towels Too

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How to Use Smelly Washer Cleaner
by: Paul Flynn

Hello,

The area of worst buildup of odor-causing residue In any clothes washer is invariably just above the normal waterline where suds and soiled water splash up and can't get rinsed out. Cleaning cycles do not reach this "splash area".

When washing full loads the laundry comes in contact with this residue and the mold spores and bacteria transfer to the laundry to cause bad smell. This is the cause of intermittent odor in towels and other laundry.

I want to let users know the best way to clean any washing machine is to use a cleaner that can be used with laundry. The added bulk of the clothing will raise the water level to clean where cleaning cycles can't reach.

Smelly Washer Cleaner is also an amazing dishwasher cleaner. Just split 1 cap between the main dispenser, the pre-wash dispenser and the floor of the dishwasher so all the cycles get a dose of Smelly Washer Cleaner.

Washer must be dismantled and cleaned periodically
by: Washer dismantler

Clothes washers and dryers too must be completely dismantled and cleaned after a number of years.

They build up lint and mold after time that simply isn't removable by any cleaning methods other than to completely take them apart and clean every part.

I take the parts to the car wash and spray them with the high pressure washer, I then spray them down with a bathroom bleach cleaner and leave them out in the sun for a while.

You have no idea what can collect in a washer, the space behind the spider mount that holds the drum in front load washers is especially bad for collecting lint and mold. I think washer manufacturers leave this design flaw in on purpose to make you want to buy a new washer when they are still ok mechanically or only need simple bearing and gasket changes.

You can minimize these problems by routinely cleaning the lint filter on your washer. Running a cycle with no clothes and some bleach will also help to keep your washer sanitary.

Be sure to clean around the door seal of your front loading washer as well, stretch the seal inward and wipe out the crevices and make sure the small drain holes at the bottom are clear.

Try remove excess mud and dirt in the tub before putting them into your washer as well, the washer has a hard time dealing with excessive debris that won't dissolve completely in the wash cycle

Another important thing to do is leave the door or lid open on your washer when it's not in use so it can dry out.

Mold will grow everywhere, especially if you live in warm humid climates.

Another place that mold hides is in the water reservoir for your coffee maker. As soon as your coffee is brewed open the water reservoir lid and keep it open so it will dry out.

Air conditioners are another place mold hides, it's good to run it for a bit on fan only mode when you turn it off to dry out the condensor, this goes for your car AC as well.

The Best Way to Remove Washing Machine Odor
by: Paul Flynn @ Smelly Washer Inc

Thank you very much for your support.

Since creating Smelly Washer and Towel Cleaners in 2005 a host of corporate competitors now sell their version of washing machine cleaner. Whirlpool created a "clean" cycle to sell their washing machine cleaner and a cottage industry was born.

The fact remains.. the best way to clean any washing machine is to clean it while being used. The added bulk of laundry raises the water level to clean the "splash area" just above the normal waterline where residue becomes food for mold, mildew and bacteria to thrive in the washer's perfect growing environment. Depending upon past washing habits, this residue can get quite thick and take repeated efforts to clean. Intermittent odor after large loads is a sure sign of remaining residue.

After odor is gone control detergent and softener use to keep it away.

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