If your top-load washer smells musty, remove the laundry and check for visible residue around the lid, tub rim, and dispenser. Letting the interior dry can help, but an open lid will not remove buildup or correct a drainage problem.
First distinguish a damp, stale smell from a burning smell or sewage odor. Stop using the machine if it leaks, will not drain, or has an unexplained burning smell. If you rent, report those symptoms to the property manager before attempting repairs.
Find the Source Before Adding Cleaner
Notice when and where the smell is strongest. Odor around the dispenser suggests checking that accessible area first. Odor mainly from wet clothes calls for reviewing laundry handling and detergent use. Odor near the standpipe, particularly during draining, may involve the installation or household plumbing.
Take note of any drain error, remaining water, or unusually wet laundry. These observations help distinguish a cleaning task from a problem that needs service. Do not identify mold or a particular organism from smell alone.
Clean Accessible Surfaces With the Washer Off
Turn the washer off and unplug it before hand-cleaning accessible parts. Keep water away from controls and electrical connections. Do not reach underneath an agitator, remove a cabinet panel, or force a component that the manual does not identify as removable.
Wipe the underside of the lid, tub rim, and reachable residue with a soft cloth using the cleaning method permitted in the owner’s manual. On a model with an agitator, clean only its accessible surface; a sealed or bolted assembly is not a routine removable dispenser.
For a removable dispenser, follow the release and washing directions for that exact model. Clean and dry it before reinstalling. For a fixed dispenser, use only the method specified by the manufacturer. Avoid flooding openings or pushing tools down an unfamiliar shaft.
Choose the Cleaning Cycle for Your Model
Empty the tub before using a washer-cleaning program. Follow the appliance manual and compatible cleaner label for the product, amount, placement, and cycle. Do not substitute an ordinary hot wash when the instructions call for a dedicated program.
Use one permitted cleaning method at a time. Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or another cleaning product. Do not add more cleaner because an odor is strong, and keep products away from children and pets.
Samsung’s odor guidance distinguishes routine maintenance from a procedure for existing mildew and also identifies detergent buildup, damp laundry, and drain-hose installation as possible contributors. Its product amounts and cycle instructions should not be transferred to another washer.
Afterward, follow the specified rinse and wipe-down steps. If visible residue remains, consult the instructions before repeating the treatment. Persistent odor is a reason to investigate the source, not to keep combining or strengthening cleaners.
Let It Dry Without Creating a Household Hazard
Remove laundry promptly and wipe away accessible moisture. If the manufacturer recommends leaving the lid open, do so only where children and pets cannot access the washer. An open appliance should not be accessible to a child who could climb or fall into it.
There is no fixed drying time that applies to every machine and room. Follow the manual and keep the laundry area appropriately ventilated. Do not bypass a lid lock or hold the lid open during a cycle.
Check Drainage Without Disconnecting Plumbing
If cleaning does not help, look for visible kinks in the accessible drain hose and compare its installation with the washer’s manual. Required standpipe height, insertion depth, and hose securing vary. Do not copy a measurement from a different brand or detach the factory hose holder.
A sewer-like odor can require a plumbing inspection. Do not pull the washer out if it risks straining hoses or electrical connections. If the standpipe backs up, water returns to the tub, or a drain error persists, contact the landlord, a plumber, or appliance service as appropriate.
Reduce the Buildup That Comes Back
Use the detergent type required by the machine and measure it for the load and water conditions. More detergent can leave more residue. Follow the model’s cleaning reminder or maintenance schedule rather than using a universal weekly or monthly treatment.
If only kitchen cloths retain a sour smell, the problem may need separate fabric care; see how to freshen sour-smelling dishcloths. For a front-loader, the door gasket and pump-filter checks differ from those on a top-loader.
Before requesting service, record the model number, odor location, any error message, and the cleaning steps already tried. Stop DIY work if accessing the suspected source requires removing panels, disturbing wiring, or working on the pump.