If you own a front-load washing machine, you have probably experienced that moment. You pull out a load of freshly washed towels, expecting that clean, fresh scent, only to be hit with a damp, musty odor that makes you question whether you should just go buy new towels. This is one of the most frustrating mysteries of modern laundry. Your clothes come out dirty, smelling worse than when they went in, and you are left wondering what is going on inside that expensive machine. The good news is that this problem is not mysterious at all, and it is something you can fix with a few simple supplies you probably already have in your kitchen.

The musty smell in front-load washers is almost always caused by mold and mildew growth. These machines are incredibly efficient with water, which is great for your utility bill but creates a perfect environment for bacteria. When water sits in the rubber gasket around the door, it stays trapped there, warm and dark, long after the cycle ends. Add in a little leftover detergent residue and some lint, and you have basically created a petri dish for stinky microorganisms. The same thing happens inside the detergent drawer if you do not clean it regularly. Fortunately, cleaning all of this is easier than you think.

Start by giving your machine a thorough deep clean. Empty the washer completely and pull out the detergent drawer. You will likely find a slimy, dark buildup in the crevices where the liquid soap sits. Take the drawer to your kitchen sink and scrub it with hot water and a stiff brush. Use an old toothbrush to get into all the little corners and grooves. While that dries, move on to the rubber gasket. Pull back the rubber seal around the door and look inside. If you see black mold spots or a slimy film, that is your main culprit. Spray a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water directly onto the gasket, let it sit for about ten minutes, and then scrub vigorously with your brush. You might be shocked by what comes off. Wipe everything down with a clean, damp cloth.

Next, you want to clean the inside of the drum and all the parts you cannot reach by hand. Add two cups of white vinegar to the detergent drawer and pour a half cup of baking soda directly into the drum. Run the hottest, longest cycle your machine has. If your washer has a self-clean cycle, use that. If not, just select the heavy duty or bulky cycle with extra hot water. Let the machine fill, agitate for a few minutes, then press pause and let it sit for an hour. This gives the vinegar and baking soda time to loosen all the buildup inside the drum, hoses, and drain pump. After the hour is up, let the cycle finish completely. When it is done, open the door and wipe down the inside of the drum. It should already look noticeably cleaner.

Now comes the part most people skip. You need to clean the filter. Front-load washers have a small door at the bottom front of the machine. Behind it is a drain pump filter that catches coins, lint, hair, and other debris. If you have never cleaned this, prepare yourself. Open the door, place a towel underneath because water will spill out, and unscrew the filter cap. Pull out the filter and clean off everything stuck to it. Rinse it in the sink until the water runs clear. Put it back and screw the cap on tight. This step alone can eliminate musty odors because trapped debris in the filter just sits there rotting and sending smells back into the drum during every cycle.

To keep your washer smelling fresh going forward, develop a simple habit. After every load, leave the washer door open for at least an hour to let the inside dry out completely. Also leave the detergent drawer slightly ajar. This small change makes a huge difference. Mold and mildew need moisture to survive, and if you deny them that moisture, they simply cannot grow. Once a month, run a maintenance cycle with a cup of white vinegar or a commercial washing machine cleaner. And every few months, give the rubber gasket a quick wipe down. Your clothes will smell cleaner, your machine will last longer, and you will not have to hold your breath every time you open the door. A clean washing machine is a happy washing machine, and it is well worth the thirty minutes it takes to get it there. Your towels will thank you.