Even the cleanest house can develop mystery odors, often coming from the very appliances we use to keep things tidy. The nose twitches, then wrinkles; the brain asks, “Where is that smell coming from?”
The normally malodorous gym socks are perfectly clean, but there’s still a stale gym locker aura in the laundry room. Or perhaps the mystery aroma is in the kitchen. While most people will think to check the garbage disposal, if they have one, the tang could actually be coming from the dishwasher. The good news is that there are fast, natural, do-it-yourself fixes for all.
Washing Machine 101
While front-load washing machines are considered superior in many ways, they can be very susceptible to mildew and smells. As high-efficiency front-load washers only fill the bottom half of the washtub with water—the turning drum tumbles clothes through this reduced water to clean them—it increases the chance of soap scum buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew. This is particularly true when non-high-efficiency (i.e., regular) detergent is used, as there is not enough water to completely rinse it away in most cases. Cleaning it is similar to cleaning a top load washer, with the addition of pulling back the rubber door seal and wiping it down with full-strength white vinegar.
