Rotten Egg Smell From Washing Machine? Fix It

That rotten egg smell from your washing machine is almost always hydrogen sulfide gas, produced by bacteria thriving in warm, damp, dark places—usually the drain hose, the rubber gasket, or the detergent drawer. This recipe-style guide walks you through a thorough cleaning and maintenance routine that eliminates the odor at its source and keeps it from coming back. You’ll use common household ingredients and a few simple tools to restore your machine to a fresh-smelling state.

Ingredients

2 cups (480 ml) white vinegar
1 cup (200 g) baking soda
1/4 cup (60 ml) liquid chlorine bleach (optional, for white machines only)
1 tablespoon (15 ml) mild dish soap
1 old towel (for wiping)
1 soft-bristle brush or old toothbrush
1 microfiber cloth
Warm water (as needed)

Instructions

Inspect the drain hose. Pull the machine away from the wall and locate the drain hose (usually a corrugated plastic tube leading to a standpipe or sink). Check for kinks, clogs, or a sagging loop that traps water. If you see a low spot, reposition the hose so it drains freely—standing water in the hose is a prime breeding ground for odor-causing bacteria.
Clean the detergent drawer. Remove the drawer (most pull straight out; some have a release tab). Rinse it under warm water, then scrub all compartments with the soft brush and dish soap. Pay special attention to the fabric softener slot, which often holds residue. Rinse thoroughly and set aside to dry.
Wipe the door gasket. For front-loaders, pull back the rubber gasket (the seal around the door) and wipe away any visible mold, slime, or debris with a damp cloth and a little dish soap. Use the toothbrush to reach into crevices. Rinse with a clean wet cloth. Leave the door open to air dry.
Run a hot vinegar cycle. Pour the 2 cups of white vinegar into the detergent dispenser (or directly into the drum if your machine has no dispenser). Select the hottest, longest cycle (usually “heavy duty� or “whites�) and run it empty. The vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits and deodorizes the interior.
Follow with a baking soda cycle. After the vinegar cycle finishes, sprinkle the 1 cup of baking soda into the empty drum. Run another hot, long cycle. The baking soda neutralizes residual odors and helps lift any remaining grime.
Sanitize with bleach (optional). If the smell persists, run a third empty cycle using the 1/4 cup of liquid chlorine bleach, poured into the bleach dispenser (or directly into the drum for top-loaders). Use only if your machine is white or bleach-safe; never mix bleach with vinegar or baking soda in the same cycle. This step is especially effective for front-loaders with persistent mold.
Clean the outside and drum. Wipe down the exterior, the door glass, and the inside of the drum with a damp microfiber cloth. For stubborn spots, use a little dish soap. Dry all surfaces with a clean towel.
Leave the door open. After the final cycle, leave the washing machine door ajar (and the detergent drawer slightly open) for at least 30 minutes to allow the interior to dry completely. This is the single most important habit to prevent the smell from returning.

Tips

Substitutions: If you don’t have white vinegar, you can use 1/2 cup (120 ml) of lemon juice instead—it has similar acidity. For baking soda, you can use 1/2 cup (120 g) of washing soda (sodium carbonate) for a stronger alkaline punch, but it’s harsher on rubber parts.
Check the drain pump filter: Many front-loaders have a small access panel at the bottom front. Open it, place a shallow pan underneath, and unscrew the filter cap. Remove any lint, coins, or hair, then rinse the filter under warm water. Replace it securely. A clogged filter can cause water to back up and stagnate, producing that sulfur smell.
Use the right detergent amount: Overusing detergent leaves residue that feeds bacteria. Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dose, and for high-efficiency (HE) machines, always use HE detergent. Consider using less than the cap’s “max� line if your water is soft.
Common mistake: Don’t use fabric softener in a front-loader—it builds up on the gasket and drum, trapping moisture and odor. If you must use it, dilute it and clean the machine more often.

Serving Suggestions

This cleaning routine is best performed monthly for front-loaders or every 2–3 months for top-loaders. Pair it with a quick wipe-down of the door gasket after every wash and leaving the door open between loads. For a fresh scent, you can add a few drops of essential oil (like tea tree or lemon) to the baking soda cycle, but avoid oils that could damage rubber parts—use sparingly.

Variations

For top-loaders: Skip the gasket cleaning step. Instead, after the vinegar cycle, pause the machine and let it soak for 30 minutes before finishing the cycle. Also wipe under the agitator if removable.
For commercial washers: If you use a shared laundry room, run the vinegar cycle with an empty machine, then wipe the drum with a disinfectant wipe. You may not be able to leave the door open, so dry the gasket manually.
For pet odors: Add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of hydrogen peroxide (3%) to the baking soda cycle—do not mix with bleach. This helps neutralize ammonia-based pet smells.

Storage and Reheating

This is a cleaning routine, not a food recipe, so there’s no storage. However, the effects last about 3–4 weeks with normal use. To extend freshness, run a quick hot-water rinse (no detergent) once a week, and always leave the door ajar after each load. If you notice the smell returning sooner, check the drain hose and filter again—there may be a slow leak or buildup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my washing machine smell like rotten eggs even after cleaning? The most common culprits are a clogged drain hose, a dirty drain pump filter, or a sagging hose that traps water. If you’ve cleaned the drum and gasket but the smell persists, inspect the hose and filter—standing water there will keep producing hydrogen sulfide gas.

Can I use bleach instead of vinegar? Yes, bleach is effective at killing mold and bacteria, but it doesn’t dissolve mineral deposits like vinegar does. For best results, alternate: one month use vinegar, the next month use bleach (never together).

Is the smell dangerous to my health? Hydrogen sulfide in low concentrations is unpleasant but not typically harmful. However, if the smell is very strong or you experience dizziness or headaches, ventilate the area and stop using the machine until it’s cleaned. In rare cases, a sewage backup could be the cause—if the smell is accompanied by slow drainage, call a plumber.

How often should I clean my washing machine to prevent this? For front-loaders, clean monthly. For top-loaders, every 2–3 months is usually enough. If you live in a hard-water area or use lots of fabric softener, increase frequency.

What if my machine has a “self-clean� cycle? Use it! Run it with a washing machine cleaner or a cup of vinegar according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then follow up with a baking soda rinse. The self-clean cycle uses higher temperatures and longer agitation, which helps.

Can I use commercial washing machine cleaners instead? Absolutely. Look for products containing citric acid or enzymes. They work well, but they’re more expensive than vinegar and baking soda. Just follow the package directions—most require an empty hot cycle.

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