There is nothing quite as frustrating as pulling freshly washed clothes out of the washing machine only to discover that they don't smell fresh.
Sometimes the laundry smells slightly musty. Other times, there may be a sour or damp odor that seems to cling to towels, workout clothes, or synthetic fabrics.
You may wash the same load again, add more detergent, or use fabric softener—only to find that the smell eventually returns.
The problem may not always be your detergent.
A washing machine can gradually accumulate detergent residue, fabric softener, body oils, dirt, and moisture. These residues can remain around the drum, door seal, detergent drawer, and other hidden areas. When the machine stays damp between cycles, unpleasant odors can become more noticeable.
One simple household ingredient that may help with this problem is baking soda.
Adding a measured amount of baking soda during an appropriate cleaning cycle can help neutralize odors and loosen some residues. It isn't a substitute for properly cleaning the washing machine, but it can be a useful part of a simple maintenance routine.
Here's how to use it safely and what you should know before trying this trick.
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Why Does a Washing Machine Start Smelling?
Before discussing baking soda, it's worth understanding where washing-machine odors come from.
Your washer handles dirty clothing, body oils, sweat, food particles, dust, and other residues every day.
Even though the machine uses detergent and water, not everything necessarily gets completely removed.
Over time, residue can accumulate in areas such as:
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The rubber door gasket
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The detergent dispenser
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The fabric-softener compartment
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The inside of the drum
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Drain areas
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Filters
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Hoses
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Other damp, poorly ventilated areas
The situation can become worse when the washing machine remains closed immediately after a cycle.
A warm, damp environment provides favorable conditions for microorganisms and can allow unpleasant odors to develop.
That's why a washing machine can sometimes smell bad even though it is constantly being exposed to soap and water.
Why Baking Soda May Help
Baking soda, chemically known as sodium bicarbonate, is a mildly alkaline household ingredient.
One of its most familiar household uses is helping neutralize unpleasant odors.
When used appropriately in laundry, baking soda can also help loosen certain residues and make water slightly more alkaline.
This can be useful when your main problem is musty or stale-smelling laundry.
However, it's important to keep expectations realistic.
Baking soda isn't a powerful disinfectant, and it won't magically remove every type of buildup inside a washing machine.
If your washer has substantial mold-like growth, a clogged filter, heavy detergent residue, or a mechanical drainage problem, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary.
How to Try the Baking Soda Method
For a basic maintenance cleaning, you can use approximately ½ cup of baking soda.
The exact procedure depends on your washing machine, so check the manufacturer's instructions first.
Step 1: Empty the washing machine
Don't put clothing in the machine.
This treatment is intended for cleaning or freshening the washer itself.
Step 2: Add the baking soda
Place approximately ½ cup of baking soda directly into the empty drum.
Avoid simply dumping a large quantity into the detergent dispenser unless your machine's instructions specifically allow it.
Step 3: Run a warm or hot cycle
Choose an appropriate cleaning cycle according to your washer's instructions.
If the machine has a dedicated Drum Clean, Tub Clean, or Self Clean program, use that program if the manufacturer recommends adding baking soda.
Step 4: Let the cycle finish
Allow the entire cycle to run.
Don't interrupt it halfway through unless your washing machine's instructions require a different procedure.
Step 5: Wipe the machine afterward
When the cycle is complete, wipe the door, gasket, and other accessible surfaces with a clean cloth.
Pay particular attention to areas where moisture and residue collect.
Don't Forget the Rubber Door Seal
If you have a front-loading washing machine, the rubber gasket around the door deserves special attention.
This area can trap:
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Water
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Hair
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Lint
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Detergent residue
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Body oils
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Small objects
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Dirt
Because the gasket stays damp, unpleasant odors can develop there.
Open the door and inspect the folds of the rubber seal.
Remove visible debris and wipe the area thoroughly.
If you see persistent dark or slimy buildup, don't simply assume baking soda will solve it.
Follow your manufacturer's cleaning instructions or use an appropriate washing-machine cleaner.
Clean the Detergent Drawer Too
Another commonly overlooked area is the detergent dispenser.
Liquid detergent and fabric softener can leave residue behind.
Over time, that buildup may become unpleasant-smelling and may even interfere with proper dispensing.
Remove the drawer if your machine allows it.
Rinse it thoroughly with warm water and clean away any residue using a soft brush or cloth.
Allow it to dry before replacing it.
A clean drum won't stay fresh for long if the detergent drawer is still coated with old residue.
What About Fabric Softener?
Fabric softener can make clothes feel softer and smell strongly fragranced, but using too much can contribute to residue buildup.
This can be particularly noticeable when a washing machine isn't cleaned regularly.
If your laundry frequently smells musty despite using fabric softener, adding more fragrance may only mask the problem temporarily.
Consider reducing the amount of fabric softener you use and cleaning the machine itself.
Sometimes removing the source of the odor works better than covering it with fragrance.
Baking Soda Isn't a Replacement for Detergent
One common misunderstanding is that baking soda can replace laundry detergent.
It generally shouldn't be treated that way.
Laundry detergent is specifically formulated to remove soils, oils, stains, and other contaminants from fabrics.
Baking soda may provide an additional odor-control or laundry-supporting function, but it doesn't perform all of the functions of a modern laundry detergent.
For everyday laundry, continue using an appropriate detergent according to the manufacturer's instructions.
What About Vinegar?
White vinegar is another popular household laundry tip.
It can help dissolve some mineral deposits and may help with certain odors, but it should be used carefully.
More importantly, don't combine vinegar with chlorine bleach.
Mixing bleach with acids such as vinegar can produce dangerous chlorine-containing gases.
If your washing machine manufacturer advises against vinegar or acidic products because of concerns about seals, hoses, or other components, follow those instructions.
There is also no need to combine multiple homemade ingredients simply because a cleaning recipe online suggests doing so.
A simple, controlled approach is safer.
Never Mix Baking Soda With Bleach as a DIY Experiment
Baking soda itself isn't the same kind of hazard as mixing bleach with acids, but household cleaning experiments can become risky when several chemicals are combined.
If you're using a commercial washing-machine cleaner, bleach, descaler, or another chemical product, follow its label instructions.
Don't improvise chemical mixtures.
In particular, never combine chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, or other incompatible cleaning products.
If you want to use baking soda, use it by itself in an appropriate cleaning cycle unless your appliance manufacturer specifically recommends another combination.
Your Clothes May Smell Better Too
Once the washing machine itself is cleaner, your laundry may smell fresher.
But there are several other factors that influence how clothes smell after washing.
Don't leave wet laundry sitting in the washer
This is one of the biggest mistakes.
A load that remains wet inside a closed washing machine for hours can develop a musty odor.
Move laundry to the dryer or drying area as soon as reasonably possible after the cycle ends.