Electrolux Washing Machine: odor during operation

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If you're experiencing an unpleasant odor from your Electrolux washing machine during operation, you're likely dealing with mold, mildew, or residue buildup. This musty smell is often noticed when opening the door or removing laundry. Common causes include low-temperature washes, poor drainage, and trapped moisture, which can all contribute to microbial growth inside the machine.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Electrolux Models

Electrolux recommends regular high temperature service washes with specialized washing machine cleaners and cleaning the detergent dispenser and pump filter to address unpleasant smells.

Possible Causes

Mold and mildew buildup in drum and door gasket

How to Identify: Musty smell, visible mold or black spots on rubber gasket folds, odor strongest near door and seal.

Part: Drum interior and rubber door seal/gasket

Standing water due to poor drainage or clogged filter

How to Identify: Water remains in drum after cycle, slow draining, odor strongest after cycle finishes.

Part: Drain pump filter, hoses, drain pump

Low-temperature washes and infrequent high-temp cleaning

How to Identify: Smell worsens over time, especially if mostly cold or low-temp cycles are used and no maintenance washes are done.

Part: Overall washer interior

Poor ventilation and trapped moisture

How to Identify: Smell present when door is closed between washes, improvement when door left open after wash.

Part: Machine interior air circulation

DIY Solutions

Clean rubber door gasket and drum

Moderate 15-30 minutes

Tools Needed: soft cloth, old toothbrush, mild detergent

Open the washing machine door and thoroughly wipe the rubber gasket folds with a cloth soaked in warm soapy water.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub grime, mold spots, and residue from deep gasket folds and drum edges.
Dry the gasket and drum surfaces with a clean cloth after scrubbing.
Leave the door open to allow complete air drying.

⚠️ Safety First: Avoid abrasive cleaners that may damage seals.

Run a high-temp maintenance wash

Easy 2-3 hours

Tools Needed: washing machine cleaner or white vinegar (optional)

Set the machine to its highest temperature with an empty drum.
Add a specialized washing machine cleaning product according to instructions, or a cup of white vinegar in detergent tray.
Start the cycle to run a maintenance clean, dissolving residues and killing microbes.
Leave the door open after cycle to dry interior.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure machine is empty to avoid damage.

Clean detergent dispenser

Moderate 10-20 minutes

Tools Needed: hot water, toothbrush

Remove the detergent dispenser drawer if possible.
Soak in hot water to loosen residue.
Scrub compartments and crevices with a toothbrush to remove buildup.
Rinse and dry thoroughly before reinserting.

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure no parts are broken when removing dispenser.

Clean drain pump filter

Moderate 15-30 minutes

Tools Needed: towel, shallow tray, gloves

Turn off and unplug the machine.
Place towel and tray under the filter cover at the base of the washer.
Open the cover, unscrew and remove the filter.
Clean trapped lint and debris under running water, then refit filter securely.
Run a rinse cycle to check for improved drainage and smell.

⚠️ Safety First: Be cautious of residual water escaping when opening filter.

Professional Repairs

Internal component cleaning and inspection

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

When to Call a Professional

Persistent strong odors despite thorough DIY cleaning and maintenance

Water not draining properly or standing water remains after cycle

Unusual additional symptoms such as leaks, noises, or error codes

Preventive Maintenance

Leave door and detergent drawer ajar after each cycle: Moisture buildup and mold growth
Frequency: after every wash
Run high-temperature maintenance wash: Bacterial and residue buildup that causes odors
Frequency: monthly
Clean detergent dispenser and gasket: Residue accumulation and mold growth
Frequency: every 2-3 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Electrolux Washing Machine odor during operation?

Common causes include mold and mildew buildup, standing water, low-temperature washes, and poor ventilation.

How do I fix Electrolux Washing Machine odor during operation myself?

You can clean the rubber gasket, run a high-temp maintenance wash, clean the detergent dispenser, and check the drain pump filter.

How much does it cost to fix odor during operation?

Professional repairs for odor issues typically range from $100 to $250.

When should I call a technician for odor during operation?

If DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you suspect deeper internal problems, 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?

80%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Buildup of mold and mildew in the drum and door seal
Blocked or dirty drain filter
Improper drainage due to kinked or clogged drain hose

User Suggested Solutions

Run a cleaning cycle using a washing machine cleaner or a mixture of vinegar and baking soda. Ensure to clean the door seal and drum thoroughly.
Check and clean the drain filter. Remove any lint, debris, or obstructions that may be causing a blockage.
Inspect the drain hose for kinks or clogs. Ensure it is properly installed and not obstructed.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

washing machine smells

Community Discussions

smells like sewage during a wash

Run cleaning cycles with vinegar or bleach, ensure proper drain hose installation, and leave doors open when not in use.