Beko Washing Machine: bad odor after washing

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing a bad odor from your Beko washing machine after washing? This unpleasant smell, often due to mold, mildew, or detergent buildup, can leave your laundry smelling musty. It's essential to address this issue promptly to ensure fresh-smelling clothes and a healthy washing environment.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Beko Models

  • Many Beko models include a DrumClean+ or high-temperature self-cleaning program to sanitize the drum; use this periodically.
  • Beko support emphasizes cleaning the detergent drawer and filter and running hot cycles to prevent odors.

Possible Causes

Mold and mildew buildup inside the drum, door seal, and detergent drawer

How to Identify: Musty, damp smell from inside drum or around door gasket; visible black or slimy residue within seal folds or drawer

Part: Drum, door gasket, detergent dispenser

Detergent and fabric softener residue accumulation

How to Identify: Sticky white or colored buildup in detergent drawer or drum; smell persists after wash; residue visible during inspection

Part: Detergent drawer, pipes, drum interior

Stagnant water due to poor drainage or clogs

How to Identify: Smell of sewage or musty water; water pooling in machine after cycle; slow draining

Part: Drain pump, drain hose, filter

Lack of ventilation leading to trapped moisture

How to Identify: Persistent damp smell even after cleaning; drum remains wet long after cycle

Part: Drum interior

Overloading or incorrect detergent use

How to Identify: Smell correlates with large loads or detergent heaps; clothes not cleaned properly

Part: Machine load functions

DIY Solutions

Run a high-temperature cleaning cycle

Easy 1–2 hours
  1. Set the machine to the hottest and longest wash cycle.
  2. Run the cycle with no laundry; you may add a washing machine cleaner or white vinegar per manufacturer suggestions.
  3. Once complete, wipe drum and leave door open to dry.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not mix cleaning agents that can react (e.g., bleach with vinegar).

Clean detergent drawer and door seal

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Warm water, Soft brush or cloth
  1. Remove detergent drawer and wash with warm soapy water, scrub away residue.
  2. Pull back the door seal and wipe hidden folds with warm water and a cloth.
  3. Dry both components fully and replace.

Clean filter and check drain

Moderate 15–30 minutes
Tools Needed: Bucket, Gloves
  1. Turn off and unplug the machine.
  2. Open access panel and remove the drain pump filter.
  3. Clear debris and rinse filter, reassemble.
  4. Check drain hose for kinks or blockages.
⚠️ Safety First: Place bucket to catch water when removing filter.

Improve ventilation

Easy 1 minute
  1. After each wash, leave the door and detergent drawer open to allow air circulation.
  2. Ensure the laundry room has adequate ventilation to dry residual moisture.

Professional Repairs

Deep internal cleaning or disinfection service

Estimated Cost: $100 - $300

Drainage system repair

Estimated Cost: $150 - $400

When to Call a Professional

Odor persists after multiple comprehensive cleanings
Water does not drain at all or there is continuous standing water
Foul smell resembles sewage or is extremely strong
You suspect internal mold damage that cleaning doesn’t resolve

Preventive Maintenance

  • Run cleaning cycle every 1–3 months: Mold and odor buildup
    Frequency: every 1–3 months
  • Leave door and detergent drawer open post-cycle: Trapped moisture and mold growth
    Frequency: After each wash

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Beko Washing Machine bad odor after washing?
Common causes include mold and mildew buildup, detergent residue, stagnant water, and poor ventilation.
How do I fix Beko Washing Machine bad odor after washing myself?
Run a high-temperature cleaning cycle, clean the detergent drawer and door seal, and improve ventilation.
How much does it cost to fix bad odor after washing?
Professional repairs can range from $100 - $300 for deep cleaning to $150 - $400 for drainage repairs.
When should I call a technician for bad odor after washing?
If DIY solutions don’t resolve the issue within a few attempts or if the problem persists, it’s time to call a technician.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

85%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Mold and mildew buildup in the door seal or detergent drawer
  • Residual detergent or fabric softener left in the machine
  • Blocked or dirty drain filter, causing stagnant water

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the door seal and detergent drawer with a mixture of vinegar and water. Wipe down all surfaces thoroughly and leave the door open for ventilation.

  2. Run a hot wash cycle (90°C) with a washing machine cleaner or bleach to eliminate odors and kill bacteria.

  3. Check and clean the drain filter. Remove any debris and ensure proper drainage to avoid stagnant water.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. smell problem with washing machine & continues even i replac...

Community Discussions

very bad smell after washing

Clean the machine with bleach and check the drain trap.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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