Why this basket
- Which? and AEG both put a hot, empty maintenance wash first, at 60°C or above and ideally once a month. Which? says you do not need a special cleaner for it, while Hoover and Bosch say one helps, so the cleaner here is the cheap, optional part.
- Bosch says mould grows in the fold of the door seal and its smell passes to the clothes, and Which?, AEG and Hoover all add the detergent drawer. The next three roles follow their steps: warm soapy water on a cloth, a toothbrush, and a bicarbonate soak.
- For mould that soapy water leaves in the seal, AEG suggests soda crystals and says to wear rubber gloves and protective goggles while you use them, so those three share a bucket of their own.
- Which? says a smell that survives all this, especially an eggy one, may come from a partly blocked standpipe, which is the only job for the drain unblocker. Leaving the door and the drawer open after each wash costs nothing, and AEG, Samsung and Which? all recommend it.
The first deep clean
Check your manual first: many machines have their own drum clean or maintenance programme.
A washing machine cleaner for the empty hot wash
Dettol washing machine cleaner, 250 ml
4.5 on Amazon · 26,912 ratings · 5K+ bought last month · #3 in De-Scalers · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says a service wash at 60°C or higher is the core fix and that no cleaner is needed; Hoover says adding one helps. Dettol's listing says to pour it into the drawer of an empty machine, add no detergent, run at 60°C and repeat every two months. Plain hot washes can fill the months in between.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Clears a musty or mouldy smell from the machine(6 of 13 reviews)
- Worked where other washing machine cleaners had not(4 of 13 reviews)
- Simple: pour it in the drawer and run an empty hot cycle(4 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- One bottle is used up in a single cleaning run(2 of 13 reviews)
- Ground-in black marks on the rubber seal may stay(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
Microfibre cloths for the door seal
TDBS microfibre cloths, 40 cm (10)
4.6 on Amazon · 1,832 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #5 in Reusable Cleaning Cloths · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says to wipe the rubber seal with a microfibre cloth dipped in warm water and washing-up liquid. Bosch says to wipe it inside and out, because mould that grows in the fold passes its smell to the clothes. These are 40 x 40 cm cloths, ten to a pack, per the listing, so a fresh one for each clean.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- A generous size and soft to the touch(4 of 13 reviews)
- Soak up water well and dry surfaces cleanly(2 of 13 reviews)
- Good value for a multipack(5 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Red and green cloths can shed dye in the first washes(3 of 13 reviews)
- Thinner than some buyers expected(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- microfibre
- Care
- Machine Wash
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
A spare toothbrush for the seal and the drawer
Colgate Extra Clean toothbrushes (3)
4.6 on Amazon · 15,349 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #1 in Manual Toothbrushes · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Worth waitingon offer 8 of 21 days, not today
AEG, Hoover and Which? all name a toothbrush: for dried detergent in each section of the drawer, and for stubborn marks on the seal. Which? warns not to scrub the seal too hard, because it can lift away from the metal. This pack has three medium brushes, the listing says, so one can live with the cleaning things.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Good value for a pack of three(8 of 13 reviews)
- Handy to keep as spares or in a travel bag(3 of 13 reviews)
- Medium bristles clean well and the handle is comfortable(3 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- The bristles can feel too firm for some(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 21 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 8 of them.
Also recommended on: guests staying over.
Bicarbonate of soda to soak the drawer
Dri-Pak bicarbonate of soda, 500 g
4.4 on Amazon · 5,743 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #16 in Storage & Organisation · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Always "on offer"26 of 26 days
Hoover suggests soaking the detergent tray in bicarbonate of soda before scrubbing it with a toothbrush and wiping it with a damp cloth. AEG says to rinse each compartment under hot running water, about every two months. This is a 500 g box of Dri-Pak bicarbonate of soda, per the listing.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- A versatile staple for all sorts of cleaning jobs(4 of 13 reviews)
- Added to the wash, whites come out brighter(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 26 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 26 of them, including today.
Also recommended on: a deep clean before Christmas, dog smell in the house, fruit flies in the kitchen.
If mould stays in the seal
AEG's step for stubborn mould. Check your own machine's manual first.
Soda crystals for stubborn mould in the seal
4.6 on Amazon · 4,356 ratings · 4K+ bought last month · #11 in Powder Detergent · recorded 27 Sept 2026
For mould that stays in the rubber seal, AEG suggests sodium carbonate crystals, which help dissolve stubborn mould and soap residue. This is a 1 kg bag of soda crystals, and the listing names cleaning and deodorising the washing machine among its uses. It also says the crystals can set solid, and that pressing the pack loosens them.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Handles lots of cleaning jobs around the house(3 of 13 reviews)
- Cheap for what you get(4 of 13 reviews)
- Works well for cleaning out the washing machine(2 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Rubber gloves for the soda crystal clean
Marigold Extra Life gloves (L)
4.7 on Amazon · 4,624 ratings · 6K+ bought last month · #3 in Household Cleaning Tools · recorded 27 Sept 2026
AEG says to wear rubber gloves and protective goggles when cleaning mould from the seal with soda crystals, bleach or dishwasher cleaner. Marigold Extra Life are reusable rubber gloves; this listing is size large, so check the size before you order.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Outlast cheaper gloves, so worth paying a little more(4 of 12 reviews)
- Comfortable to wear and keep a good grip(5 of 12 reviews)
Watch out for
- With heavy daily use the rubber wears through in weeks or months(2 of 12 reviews)
Our summary of the 12 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Weight
- 50 g
- Material
- Cotton
- In the box
- Gloves
- Care
- Hand Wash
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 26 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 24 of them, including today.
Also recommended on: bathroom mould, a cat bringing in mice, dog hair everywhere, moving-out cleaning.
Goggles for the soda crystal clean
Blackrock vented safety goggles
4.4 on Amazon · 1,207 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #2 in Goggles · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Goggles are the other half of AEG's advice for this job. Blackrock's goggles have a soft PVC frame that sits close to the face, an adjustable elastic strap and a polycarbonate lens, and are tested to EN 166, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Comfortable, snug fit that adjusts to different faces(8 of 13 reviews)
- Seal round the eyes so spray does not get in(4 of 13 reviews)
- Basic but good value for occasional jobs(4 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Can mist up during longer jobs, despite the vents(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 3 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 3 of them, including today.
Also recommended on: a deep clean before Christmas, bathroom mould.
If it still smells
Only if the steps above have not cleared it.
A drain unblocker for the standpipe
Mr Muscle drain unblocker gel, 500 ml
4.5 on Amazon · 3,385 ratings · 10K+ bought last month · #3 in Drain Openers · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Which? says a smell that carries on may mean a partial blockage in the standpipe the machine drains into, and suggests a drain unblocker to clear it. Mr Muscle's gel is one dose per 500 ml bottle and safe for all pipe types, the listing says. Follow the label's instructions and safety advice.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Clears slow or blocked sinks, baths and shower drains(6 of 11 reviews)
Our summary of the 11 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 4 of them, including today.
Can wait
- Water softener tablets for every wash. Which? lists limescale as one cause of smells in hard water areas, because it can block pipes and let soap scum build up. The hot wash and the seal come first; the hard water page covers softening.
Skip it
- SkipUndiluted bleach in the drum or on the sealWhich? says undiluted bleach is caustic enough to damage the rubber door seal and the parts that hold the drum together.
- SkipExtra fabric conditioner or scent to cover the smellHoover says too much detergent or fabric softener causes a build-up of residue, which is one of the causes of the smell.
- SkipA stiff grout brush for the door sealWhich? warns that scrubbing the seal too hard can lift it away from the metal. A toothbrush, used gently, is what the makers name.
Quick questions
Why does my washing machine smell?
Usually detergent residue, damp, mould in the door seal or too few hot washes, AEG says. Which? adds wet clothes left in the drum, so take them out within a couple of hours, and limescale in hard water areas. Bosch says washing machines are not self-cleaning and need a regular maintenance wash. An eggy smell can mean a partly blocked standpipe.
Do I need a washing machine cleaner?
No, but it can help. Which? says you do not need to buy any washing machine cleaning products to stop the smell. Hoover says a cleaner can be added to the empty hot wash, and Bosch recommends one every three months. If you use one, follow its label: Dettol's says every two months, at 60°C, with no detergent.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Run a hot empty wash once a month, as Which?, AEG and Hoover suggest. Bosch says at least every three months, and Samsung says to run its drum clean every 40 washes or when the machine asks. Samsung also says to clean the drain pump filter at least five or six times a year, and AEG says to clean the drawer every two months.
Can I use bleach to clean a washing machine?
Not undiluted. Which? says undiluted bleach can damage the rubber door seal and the parts that hold the drum together. AEG lists thick bleach, soda crystals or dishwasher cleaner for mould on the seal, with rubber gloves and goggles, so check your own machine's manual before using any of them.
Where is the filter on a washing machine?
Usually behind a small cover at the bottom front. AEG says it is usually in the lower right corner. Switch the machine off first, put a shallow bowl or oven tray under the filter to catch the water, then clear out fluff and objects and rinse the filter under a running tap. Samsung says to do this at least five or six times a year.
Sources: Which?: How to clean a smelly washing machine (checked 27 September 2026); AEG: Washing machine emits an unpleasant smell (checked 27 September 2026); Hoover: How do I get rid of the smell in my washing machine? (checked 27 September 2026); Samsung UK: Washing machine maintenance tips (checked 27 September 2026); Bosch: Cleaning a washing machine door seal (checked 27 September 2026); Bosch: Clothes smell bad (checked 27 September 2026); Bosch: Cleaning a washing machine (checked 27 September 2026).
