The moment I opened the lid of the washing machine to do laundry, there was an unpleasant smell... Have you ever experienced that? "Unpleasant odors from the washing tub can be classified into four types." We will teach you the causes and solutions for each type of odor, and how to prevent odors that you can do on a regular basis.

Life Market Magazine

https://curama.jp/magazine/

From house cleaning, air conditioner cleaning, housekeeping services, and collection of disused items, the Life Market Magazine carefully solves various "concerns" related to living one by one.

Unpleasant odor 1 - Fishy smell

　The fishy smell from the washing machine is caused by bacteria growing in the washing tub. The odor is actually a substance called a sulfur compound produced by bacteria called Mycobacterium.

　This bacterium will multiply at a tremendous speed when the three elements of [moisture, temperature, and nutrition] are met. Moisture, sweat, sebum, and other dirt contained in the laundry before washing becomes nutrients, and the poorly ventilated enclosed space increases the humidity, creating an environment where bacteria can grow.

In particular, leaving wet laundry such as bath towels in the washing machine for a long time is a major cause of bacterial growth. Be careful if you have a towel that smells as soon as it gets wet even if you wash it clean.

Bacteria called Moraxella, which proliferates using the moisture and proteins contained in human sweat and sebum as nutrients, cannot be removed by drying the laundry outside once it occurs. When the washing tub smells, it is also necessary to remove the bacteria occurring in the laundry.

~Useful Notes for Writers~

Boiled towels are the most effective way to disinfect towels that stink even after washing.

Just boil water in a large pot (enamel or stainless steel) for simmering, put a towel in it and simmer. When removing from the pan, it's easier to grab the edge of the towel with your tongs and wrap it around the tongs.

We also recommend using baking soda or powdered soap according to the purpose, such as removing yellowing. If you don't want to use detergent, boil the dirty towels and then wash them in the washing machine as normal.

When using detergent, rinse and dehydrate in the washing machine after boiling. Boiled water kills bacteria, so even if you dry it indoors, it won't smell!

<*Caution*>

Unpleasant smell 2 - musty smell

We tend to think that the washing tub is clean because it is washed with detergent. In fact, dirt tends to accumulate in the holes, edges, and detergent slot of the washing tub, and the back side of the washing tub can be full of mold and dirt.

The back of the washing tub, where moisture does not easily evaporate, is prone to mold growth, and after each wash, undissolved detergent and stains on clothes accumulate, creating a hotbed for mold. In particular, drum-type washing machines use a small amount of water, so detergent and dirt tend to remain in the washing tub and become nutrients for bacteria.

In addition, washing with leftover bath water can also cause bacterial growth. The remaining water in the bath contains many bacteria, and the bacteria that have propagated can remain in the washing tub and grow further. When using the remaining hot water, we recommend using a laundry detergent that can disinfect and use tap water for rinsing. It's a good idea to rinse twice to wash away bacteria and dirt properly.

There are many invisible mold spores in the air, and when the conditions of temperature, humidity and dirt are met, they will multiply in no time. If there are dark brown or black wakame-like fine scum on the washed laundry or in the washing tub, it is proof that black mold is occurring! "Clean the washing tub regularly with a commercially available oxygen-based bleach."

　The cleaning method using the washing tub cleaner is introduced in a separate article: "How to clean the washing machine!". The appropriate cleaning frequency depends on the degree of dirtiness, but it is recommended to clean once a month during the humid summer or rainy season, and once every two to three months during the winter or when mold is decreasing. I guess.

Unpleasant odor 3 - Detergent odor

　When using detergents or fabric softeners with strong scents, this detergent-like and somewhat unpleasant odor is likely to occur. The cause is that the different types of scents that cannot be washed away by rinsing are mixed with the odors produced by bacteria and mold that cause the fishy odor.

If you feel this smell, it is important to wash the washing tub as I wrote earlier, but one of the countermeasures is to try to reduce the amount of detergent and fabric softener used. It seems that the more detergent you use, the more dirt will come off, but the amount of detergent that dissolves in the amount of water you use is fixed. If you add more detergent than the specified amount just because you want to remove dirt, the undissolved detergent will tend to remain in the laundry and the washing tub.

　The prescribed amount of detergent and fabric softener to be used is the amount set so that the detergency and fragrance effect can be properly demonstrated. Carefully read the amount of detergent and fabric softener usage instructions and review whether the amount is really necessary for normal washing.

It would also be a good idea to change to a detergent or fabric softener that does not leave a scent. In that case, if it is necessary to take measures against the odor caused by half-dried laundry, we recommend using an enzyme-based bleach that can also be used on colored clothing.

[Correction: 11:00 on September 13, 2017] When it was first published, it was described as "enzyme bleach" that can be used for colored clothing, but it was corrected to "oxygen bleach".

Unpleasant smell #4 - Sewage smell

　If you can smell the sewage from the washing tub, it's caused by the drain hole connected to the drain hose hidden right under the washing machine. The drain is designed to keep sewage odors out, but for some reason, the odor inside the drain may rise.

No drain trap

　The drain trap is the part used to connect the hose that drains the water from the washing tub and the drain port. There is always water in this part to prevent the smell of sewage from coming up. If this trap is not attached in the first place, the smell cannot be stopped.

Drainage traps can be purchased at home centers, etc., but a certain amount of skill is required to install them. Read the instruction manual carefully in advance, and if you feel that it is difficult for you to do it yourself, consult with a contractor that undertakes house renovations or the shop that installed the washing machine.

　Even with a drain trap, using the drying function in drum-type washing machines reduces the amount of water in the trap and creates a sewage smell. However, since it is designed to collect water in the trap after operation, do not turn off the power during operation or immediately after taking out the laundry.

The drain trap and the drain are dirty

In the back of the drain, which is usually not visible, there is dust, lint, hair, and detergent residue discharged from the washing machine. etc. is in a null null state. Every time you use the washing machine, dirt and slimy dirt will flow through the washing machine.

　To clean the drain trap, first move the washing machine to make space around the drain. Once the drain is visible, remove the top lid to expose the drain trap. Use a toothbrush to remove dust and dirt from the trap. Cleaning with baking soda is recommended because it breaks down the proteins in the sebum stains that cause sliminess and deodorizes.

　If the drain trap is dirty, there is a high possibility that the inside of the drain is also dirty. Clean off the slime and sludge inside the drain with a commercially available pipe cleaner or a commercial cleaner that you can buy online.

<*Caution*>

Don't forget to fill up with water after returning the drain trap to the drain.

Summary of odor countermeasures

Things to be careful about every day

Things to do regularly

(Kurashi no Market Magazine)