When your washing machine drain smells like rotten eggs, inspect the water inlet and drain hose.
Bad water can have an offensive odor that will linger in your washer.
If your water source is open, small animals like rodents and reptiles can find their way into the water and drown. If left there, these animals will rot and begin to smell.
Untreated water can also have a bad smell due to the different particles in them.
But there are other reasons which we have explained in this article, alongside solutions to the problems.
Washing Machine Drain Smells Like Rotten Eggs – Explained
The smell of hydrogen sulfide gas is what many people refer to as rotten eggs smell. It is caused by bacteria metabolism and can be found in sewers, sinks, and drain pipes.
If your washing machine drain smells like rotten eggs, it’s mostly because of mold build-up, grime, mildew, or decomposing soap, which gives off this gas.
Doing your laundry with a smelly drain can be a hell of an experience.
If you’re lucky to notice the smell just before putting your clothes in the washer, you’d be glad you did, but if you only get to notice after you’re done washing, it may ruin your entire week.
One of the reasons for the stench in your washing machine’s drain is a blocked drain.
Debris from washed clothes can form a thick build-up and block the drain if you don’t have any routine maintenance practices to clear them out.
Apart from these, there are other reasons why your washing machine drain smells like rotten eggs:
Reasons Why Your Washing Machine Drain Smells Like Rotten Eggs
1. Washing At Low Temperatures With Small Detergent
Constantly washing at low temperatures with small detergent can cause an unpleasant smell from the clothes.
Clothes in the washer spin for long minutes and sometimes hours; during this process, heat is generated, releasing unpleasant steam from these clothes.
2. Faulty Door Seal
Front-load washing machines come with rubber door seals, otherwise known as a gasket.
The rubber runs around the door of the washer to prevent water from flowing out of the washing machine into the room during a cycle.
Sometimes due to overloading, a piece of cloth can get stuck in the gasket and create an opening for mildew to grow over time which will begin to smell like rotten eggs if you don’t clean the washer.
3. Clogged Sewer
Check the sewer or drain system if you continue to perceive rotten eggs from your washing machine, even with regular cleanups. That may be the reason.
You may think the smell in the sewer cannot get into your home, but in cases where there’s a strange smell from openings around the house, the chances of the smell coming from the sewer are high.
Even though this is usually the last resort for many people, there’s still a high possibility that it can be why your washer smells so awful.
4. Dirty Washing Machine
When was the last time you thoroughly cleaned your washing machine? Since its primary function is to wash, many assume washers automatically clean themselves when the opposite is true.
During each cycle, dirt from washed clothes can form a thick paste and get stuck around the corners of the washer.
Over time, the dirt can be a breeding ground for mildew or other bacteria that will begin to decompose and release awful smells into the washer.
You can easily prevent this by regularly rinsing the washer at the end of your laundry or creating a routine to clean your washer with antimicrobial agents to prevent these bacteria from growing in the washing machine.
5. Drain Plug
Front-load washing machines need to have their drains and filters cleaned regularly to prevent the rotten eggs smell.
Not just for front load washers, but all washing machines must be drained after every cycle.
If you’re familiar with the parts of your washing machine and can locate the drain plug, check if the smell is more pungent in that area and clean it.
Some machines are more complex than others and may require a professional, but with such a smell coming from your washer, it’ll be best to get rid of it before calling anyone to work on it.
6. A Leaky Pipe
Another rare but possible cause of a smelling washing machine is a cracked or leaky pipe linking your washer to the sewer.
The crack in the pipe can let in septic gases, which can cause a stench in your washing machine.
7. Wrong detergent
The rotten egg smell could be caused by a laundry detergent that contains sulfur. If this is the case, swap out your current detergent for one that contains less sulfur or sulfates.
8. A build-up of mold and mildew
Mold and mildew can also cause your washing machine to smell like rotten eggs if there is too much moisture in the machine’s drum.
Keep your washer door open after each use to prevent mold and mildew growth. You can also clean the seal with vinegar.
Another reason your front-loading washer smells like rotten eggs is the drain hose that runs from the washer to the wall.
Clogged or improperly installed, this hose can cause water to back into the washer drum and cause a bad odor.
Ensure that the drain hose is connected correctly to the wall and that there is no excess moisture in the area connected before unplugging your washing machine.
9. It Could be a Gas Leak?
While less likely than the issues mentioned above that might be causing a rotten egg smell, the unwanted odor from your laundry room might result from a gas leak.
Gas companies can capture the smell of rotten eggs by adding a chemical, mercaptan, to natural gas, which does not have a distinct odor.
Contact the gas company responsible for your home’s gas immediately if you suspect a gas leak is causing the rotten egg smell. An expert will help resolve the issue safely.
10. Dried P-trap
If your washing machine is located in an area with little ventilation, the P-trap can become dried out, causing the rotten egg smell to return. To eliminate the smell, pour a cup of water down the drain to re-wet the P-trap.
It is also possible for your washing machine to smell if it is connected to a septic tank. If your washer drains into a septic tank, there could be a problem with the tank causing the bad smell.
Have your septic tank checked by a professional to see if it needs to be cleaned or repaired.
Read Also: Laundry Room Smells Like Rotten Eggs – Here is Why!
How to Get Rid of Rotten Eggs Smell in The Washing Machine
Since the washing machine is an enclosed wet device linked to the sewer, it easily becomes a safe space for unwanted odors.
Nothing is exciting about having a smelly washing machine, whether the smells are from the sewer, broken pipes, or within the washer itself.
There are some easy methods to eliminate this rotten eggs smell in your washing machine and do so effectively. You will need the following:
● Baking soda
● White vinegar
● Hot water
● Mineral oil
● Detergent
First Method
Step 1: Run a load of a mixture of hot water, detergent, baking soda and white vinegar without clothes.
Step 2: If the smell lingers after the first step, substitute the white vinegar for bleach and rerun it.
Step 3: If the first two steps have any effect, run a load of hot water to rinse out any soap residue and leave the door of the washer open to dry completely.
Second Method
Step 1: Locate the floor drain of your washer. If you need help finding it, check the manual booklet to see where you can find it. Pour enough water down the drain to restore evaporated drain traps.
Step 2: You may perceive a stronger smell after step 1. It is an indication of water evaporation from the drain traps. Pour mineral oil into the drain to prevent evaporation. Repeat the process until the water stops evaporating.
Third Method
Examine the sewer vents, usually located on the roof and mounted behind the bathroom. Check for dried leaves or dirt clogging the vent and manually remove them.
If the smell of rotten eggs persists after you’ve tried out these methods, request professional plumbing services.
How to Prevent Rotten Eggs Smell in The Washing Machine
● Wash at temperatures above 60°C with enough detergent
● Leave the door open to musty odors from mold or mildew
● Flush the drain regularly with baking soda and white vinegar
● Clean your washer once every week
Read Also: Can you use a washing machine hose on a water heater?
Conclusion
If your washing machine drain smells like rotten eggs, chances of the smell coming from the drain pipes are high, but not limited to it. There are cases of gas leaks with awful smells due to the presence of mercaptan.
Mercaptan is added to gases as a warning for potentially harmful leaks. If you’ve done everything possible to eliminate the rotten egg smell in your laundry without any headway, contact your gas company immediately to inspect for any leakage.