Nobody really looks at their washing machine and thinks it could be making life less clean. You throw clothes in, press a few buttons, walk away and expect fresh laundry at the end. Simple. But if you ever opened the rubber seal or detergent drawer after months of ignoring them, you probably noticed weird smells, brownish grime or that fuzzy black stuff that looks like tiny pepper spots. That is the first sign your machine has its own ecosystem growing inside. The problem is not obvious straight away because everything looks fine from the outside and the clothes usually smell alright when they first come out.Researchers studying household machines in Frontiers in Microbiology found that bacteria and fungi can survive normal washing cycles, especially when people wash most things in cold water and shut the door immediately afterwards, trapping damp air inside the drum. This study showed that washing machines can host microbial communities that stay in the seal and drum and might even transfer to fabrics during the wash.
How a washing machine can make you sick and tips to prevent it
Here is the basic idea, without the fancy science words. Water goes in. Clothes rub around. Fibres, sweat, dead skin and detergent leftover bits float everywhere. When washing stops, some of that mixture sticks to the inside of the machine. It dries just enough to stay put but not enough to kill anything living in there. Then the next wash comes along and adds more. Over weeks or months, a layer forms, and that layer is where microbes settle. Most of the time you will not get seriously ill from this, but if you have eczema, small cuts or sensitive skin, the contact can make irritation worse or give clothes that weird “never quite clean” smell that returns after drying.The good news is that it does not take complicated routines to stop this from happening. Three habits make the biggest difference.
Tip 1: Wipe the rubber seal and drum now and then instead of pretending they clean themselves
Nobody enjoys this job, but it works. Once in a while, grab a cloth, wet it with diluted vinegar or a cleaner you already have, and wipe under the rubber seal and across the drum. Do not be shocked if something unpleasant comes off the first time. After each wash, leave the door open for at least an hour so the inside dries instead of turning into a mini sauna. Dry machines grow less mould. This small thing stops the musty smell before it starts.
Tip 2: Run a hot wash sometimes, even if you prefer cold for clothes
Cold washes are great for saving money and looking after fabric, but they let microbes live a pretty relaxed life. Once a month, run an empty hot cycle with nothing inside. You can add a cleaner if you want, but honestly the main benefit is the heat itself. Think of it as pressing a reset button. It melts the grime that hides in corners and knocks down a good amount of microbial buildup. Towels and bedsheets also appreciate a hot wash now and then because they collect sweat and oils more than T-shirts.
Tip 3: The detergent drawer and filter also deserve a little attention
People forget these two parts exist until something smells off or the machine stops draining properly. Pull out the detergent drawer and rinse the goopy bits under warm water. Wipe inside the slot where the drawer sits as well because mould loves that spot. The filter at the bottom front should also be cleaned every few months. It traps lint, hairpins, tissue remains and basically anything that fell out of pockets. When it clogs, extra water stays in the machine and feeds the microbes you are trying to control.A washing machine does not secretly plot to make you sick, but if you ignore it completely, it slowly becomes less helpful. Clothes come out fine for a while, then one day the smell sticks around and you cannot figure out why. Usually that means the machine itself needs care. Wiping the seal, doing a hot wash once a month and giving the drawer and filter a rinse now and then makes your laundry genuinely clean again. It keeps the machine happier too, and probably saves you from that moment where you wonder why your towels smell weird even though you just washed them.Also read| Does an air purifier work properly if windows are kept open
