Clean Your Washing Machine Before It Starts to Smell

A washing machine that smells means mold and bacteria are already growing inside the drum and seals. Run an empty hot cycle with white vinegar or a machine cleaner once a month to prevent buildup. Between washes, leave the door and detergent drawer open to let moisture evaporate. Prevention takes five minutes a month — fixing the smell once it has set into the rubber seals is far harder and sometimes impossible.