Why Does My Indoor Laundry Room Smell Bad?

Last Updated on: 18th February 2023, 07:17 pm

Are you curious why your indoor laundry room smells bad? The laundry room is the place where all your clothes are to be washed and cleaned.

We often spend most of our weekends in the laundry room to wash all the clothes we used during the week. Sometimes, the laundry room starts to smell, making it difficult for us to even stand there, and making the task even harder.

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Now you might wonder why my indoor laundry room smells unpleasant. The laundry room can stink if the hamper is full of dirty clothes that haven’t been washed, causing an odor to spread throughout the room, or if the washer and dryer are filthy, causing mildew and mold to grow.

Fortunately, there are techniques to combat odors in each situation.

Reasons for a smelly laundry room

The following are some of the most typical causes of a stinky indoor laundry room:

Dirty clothes

If you leave your clothing in a laundry bin unattended for a long time, it will begin to smell owing to the buildup of gases produced by bacteria as they break down the dead skin cells, bacteria, and bodily fluids that may have been left on your garments. Also, if you neglect to remove your garments from the washer, they can develop mold and mildew.

Dirty hamper

While plastic hampers are resistant to odors, those made of fabric and a closed lid are more sensitive. The dust that collects inside them can capture bacteria from the clothes and transfer them to the hamper, causing them to stink.

Dirty washing machine

Although washing machines are designed to clean your clothing, they might smell if they are not cleaned and maintained regularly. Mold, mildew, and germs from your clothes, as well as soap scum, dirt, body oil, and hair, can become trapped inside the washing machine membranes, resulting in an unpleasant odor.  

Less sunlight

Indoor laundry rooms have less access to sunlight, causing the room to smell unpleasant. Mold and other odor-causing microorganisms can be killed by direct sunlight. So, sunlight is highly significant to keeping your laundry rooms fresh.

Methods to remove the smell from your laundry room

You will have a fresh-smelling and clean indoor laundry room by using the following ways:

1. Cleaning your washing machine

If you want your washing machine to smell good, you should clean it thoroughly. Below are the steps to clean your washing machine.

• Remove the soapy water and detergent from the washing machine and scrub the insides. The standing water creates a comfortable environment for the bacteria to grow and cause a smell.
• After removing the water and cleaning it, use chlorine bleach to sterilize your washing machine and eliminate the microorganisms creating an unpleasant odor. Make sure to dry your washing machine with a clean and dry cloth.
• If you keep your washing machine in the bathroom, it’d often get wet on the outside. Make sure to clean up the washer with a soft and dry piece of cloth.

2. Cleaning your laundry hamper

Make a mixture of baking soda and water. Scrub your laundry hamper with a soft brush. Then leave it to air dry. You can also use chlorine bleach to disinfect your hamper.

3. Cleaning dirty clothes

Wash your clothes regularly with a good detergent. This detergent fragrance will neutralize the foul odor resulting in a fresh smell.

If the clothes, the washing machine, or the hampers are not thoroughly cleaned, indoor laundry rooms might have a dreadful odor.

To avoid anything unpleasant and potentially toxic from developing, keep your washing machine and hampers clean regularly, and wash or put away items as soon as you are finished with them.

We’d highly recommend reading our blog post on whether or not you should put your laundry indoors.