Have you ever opened the door of your washing machine and smelled a musty, damp odor? This is not an uncommon problem; even with the best washing machines, mold and mildew can build up and smell over time. So much so that I hesitate to wash my clothes in the washing machine.

Cleaning the washer is a quick-fix solution, but while it works in the short term, it will soon smell again. Fortunately, there is a simple hack to stop this smell.

Washing machines flush after every wash, but there is always water left over afterwards. The stagnant water is perfect for the growth of mold and mildew, not to mention bacteria, and odor. This builds up with each wash, not only in the drum, but also in the detergent drawer and pipes.

If stagnant water is the problem, it needs to be removed. This is easy; simply open the washer door and detergent drawer between washes. The wider you open them, the better, but just snapping them open and letting air in makes a difference. Air ventilation dries out stagnant water and prevents the growth of mold and bacteria.

Make it a habit to open the door immediately after washing is finished, rather than closing it. For top-loading washing machines, open the door all the way. The same method can be used for clothes dryers and dishwashers.

It may look nicer with the door closed, but it is causing problems. If your washer still smells bad after regular drying, you may need to clean it in the back to remove any buildup that has already built up. Follow the instructions here on how to clean your washing machine. You can also perform an empty wash at the hottest possible temperature to rinse out any grime.

If you follow these simple tips, your washing machine should smell much fresher in the future!