In The Case of the Stinky Washing Machine {Part 1}, I left everyone hanging with the final picture of me removing the washing machine cabinet. In Part 2, I am going to show you what was in the washing machine that was making it stinky and what I did about it.
This is what I found when I pulled the cabinet away….a black ring of nastiness!! I’m not sure what it is from but during all of the different ways I was trying to clean the washer, the water and cleaning solution must not have reached up that high.
Yes, that it totally nasty! I have no clue what it is but it needs to be removed!
The first step was to remove the tub cover which was held in place with locking tabs. To removed the tabs, I pressed down directly above the tab and then I used a screwdriver to release the tab.
Once all of the locking tabs were released, I removed the tub cover.
What a disgusting sight! There is mold all the way around the outer plastic tub.
A close up for your viewing pleasure…
The mold is also on the metal inner basket.
And it is on the inside of the plastic tub cover.
I used a mixture of water and bleach to clean away the mold and residue buildup (with rubber gloves on). In some areas it was too thick to be removed with a rag so I tucked and old t-shirt between the inner basket and outer tub to prevent the debris from falling down in the washer. Then, I used a plastic knife to scrape the black gunk away. Once I got all of the really thick stuff, I carefully pulled the t-shirt out and disposed of the debris. I continued wiping and scrubbing with a rag and bleach water. When the water got dirty, I switched it out with fresh bleach water.
Here it is after being cleaned.
It is hard to tell in this picture because of the shadows but all of the black residue is gone!
Here is the nice clean tub cover!
Then, it was time to reassemble everything. First step was to replace the tub cover. Once it was in place, I pressed down directly above each locking tab and the tab easily slipped in place.
Then, I put the cabinet or body back on the frame making sure the lower lip was under the frame base and lowered it into place.
There was still be a small space but I just pulled the back panel forward and the gap closed.
Next, I hooked the gold clips into the back panel and used a screw driver to push them down into place. Admittedly, I had to give the clip a good smack with my hammer to make the clip snap back in place. Then, I reconnected the lid switch making sure I had a tight fit.
Then, I flipped the controls panel forward and made sure the locking tabs locked in place.
Next, I replaced the screws.
I plugged my washing machine back in and thankfully it worked again!!
Success…no more stinky washer and no repair bill!!!
Pablo Diaz says
Thank you so much for these step by step directions. I am not handy at all but this is everything I needed to get the smell and mold out. Appreciate you sharing your experience so that we can all live funk free!
rachelle says
thank you sooooo much. my “new” washing machine is driving me crazy, and all these blogs and articles are all repeating the same obvious solutions. i knew there was gunk hidden somewhere. i can’t wait to clean mine!
gumbi54 says
I want to thank you so so much!! We had tried anything as well to remove the stink, this did the trick!!!
Tonia says
Yay!! I’m so glad the instructions helped you!
Jen@BigBinder says
Oh my goodness, you are AWESOME!! Look at you!
Hanni says
This is bad enough, mold, no wonder it stunk and what a health risk also. And here I thought it was a dead mouse, thank goodness it wasn’t. Good luck with cleaning everything up.
Jess says
Our washer is sparkling clean now, thank you!! (Yes, as soon as I read your post we started cleaning the washer, haha) Have a good weekend. 🙂
Jane Craske says
You are awesome! I can just picture my husband’s face upon coming home and seeing the washer apart. I might have a slight problem with piecing things together C:
Tonia L says
Hey Anita…for me…it was 1/2 day project because I was researching, taking pictures of the process and taking a break to check out my new iPad. For your husband, it would probably take less than 1 hour if he knows how to do it before hand.
Anita says
So how long did that take you? Sounds (looks) like a good job for my husband! Our washer probably looks 10 times worse!
Anne @ Domesblissity says
Oh thank you Tonia. I’m not sure I could’ve slept tonight without knowing what that smell was! LOL You’re such a good girl for discovering that. I’m not sure I would’ve bothered but I’ll know who to call if it happens in my washer! LOl(Actually there’s a business for you. Cleaning people’s washers. You’d be an expert. LOL)Anne xx
Ginger says
Ewwww!!! So glad you got it all cleaned up. 🙂
Lindsay says
You totally rock to take that on yourself! SO glad you were able to clean all that junk out! And yay for good smelling laundry. 🙂