Why Does My LG Washing Machine Smell Bad?
Run a hot 90°C drum-clean cycle with a washing machine cleaner tablet or 250ml of white vinegar added directly to the drum — this kills odour-causing bacteria and mould in most cases (takes about 30 minutes to set up, then the cycle runs unattended).
Fault description
A bad smell coming from your LG washing machine is one of the most common complaints owners report, and it affects a wide range of front-loader and top-loader models. The odour is usually described as musty, damp, or mildew-like, and it often clings to freshly washed clothes even after a full cycle. In some cases you may notice the smell as soon as you open the door, or it may only become obvious when the machine is running.
The root cause is almost always biological — bacteria, mould, and mildew thrive in the warm, damp environment inside a washing machine drum, door seal, and detergent drawer. Modern low-temperature washing and concentrated liquid detergents, while energy-efficient, can leave residue that feeds microbial growth over time. Your LG machine may also display the tCL reminder code, which is not a fault but a prompt from the machine itself to run a tub-clean cycle.
The good news is that this problem is almost always fixable at home without any tools or spare parts.
Causes
- Mould and mildew on the door seal (gasket) — The rubber door seal on front-loaders traps moisture, detergent residue, and lint in its folds after every wash. This creates an ideal breeding ground for black mould and mildew, which produce the characteristic musty smell.
- Residue build-up inside the drum and tub — Washing at low temperatures (30–40°C) does not dissolve all detergent and fabric softener, leaving a film inside the drum and outer tub. Over time this residue harbours bacteria that produce foul odours.
- Blocked or dirty detergent drawer — Liquid detergent and softener accumulate in the dispenser drawer and its housing, going stale and growing mould. A partially blocked drawer can also cause poor rinsing, which worsens residue build-up in the drum.
- Blocked or dirty pump filter — The drain pump filter (located behind a small panel at the front bottom of most LG front-loaders) collects fluff, coins, and debris. Stagnant water trapped in a clogged filter quickly becomes a source of bad odour.
- Machine left closed between washes — Keeping the door and detergent drawer shut after a wash traps humidity inside the drum, preventing it from drying out and accelerating mould growth. This is one of the most common contributing habits.
- Drain hose or standpipe issues — A drain hose that is pushed too far into the standpipe, or one that has developed a partial blockage, can allow dirty water to sit or siphon back into the machine, introducing bacteria and bad smells.
Step-by-Step Fix
- 1
Clean the door seal thoroughly
Pull back the folds of the rubber door gasket all the way around and wipe away any visible mould, grime, or trapped debris using a cloth dampened with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water. For stubborn black mould spots, apply a small amount of diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 10 parts water), leave for 5 minutes, then wipe clean and rinse. Do this before running any cleaning cycle so loosened residue is flushed away.
- 2
Remove and clean the detergent drawer
Pull the drawer out fully — on most LG models you press a small release tab while pulling. Rinse it under warm running water and use an old toothbrush to scrub away any caked-on detergent or mould. Also clean inside the drawer housing in the machine using the same toothbrush and a damp cloth, paying attention to the roof of the cavity where mould commonly hides.
- 3
Check and clean the pump filter
Place a shallow tray and some towels under the small access panel at the bottom front of the machine. Slowly unscrew the filter cap — water will drain out, so do this gradually. Remove any lint, coins, or debris from the filter, rinse it under the tap, then refit it securely. A dirty filter is a surprisingly common source of bad smells and takes only about 10 minutes to clean.
- 4
Run a tub-clean (drum-clean) cycle
LG machines have a dedicated Tub Clean cycle — select it on the dial or touchpad. Add a washing machine cleaning tablet or 250ml of white vinegar directly into the drum (not the drawer). Run the cycle at the highest available temperature. If your machine has been showing the <strong>tCL</strong> reminder, this cycle will clear it once complete. Repeat monthly going forward.
- 5
Run an additional hot maintenance wash
If the smell persists after the tub-clean cycle, run a second empty cycle at 90°C using a standard cotton programme with a small amount of washing machine cleaner or biological detergent. The sustained high temperature helps dissolve residue in the outer tub that a single cycle may not fully reach.
- 6
Check the drain hose position
Pull the machine out slightly and inspect the drain hose at the back. The hose should enter the standpipe or sink no more than 15cm deep, and the standpipe should be at least 60cm high. If the hose is pushed in too far, dirty water can siphon back. Adjust the hose position and secure it with the supplied clip if needed.
- 7
Leave the door and drawer open after every wash
Once the machine is clean, adopt the habit of leaving the door ajar and the detergent drawer slightly open after every wash. This allows air to circulate and the drum to dry out completely, which is the single most effective way to prevent the smell from returning.
When to call a service technician
In rare cases, a persistent smell can indicate a more serious underlying issue. If the odour is strongly chemical or burning rather than musty, stop using the machine immediately — this could point to an electrical or motor fault that requires a service technician to inspect safely. Similarly, if you notice water pooling under the machine or the drum is not draining fully after you have cleaned the filter, there may be a pump or drain fault that needs professional diagnosis.
If you have completed all the cleaning steps above and the smell returns within a few washes despite changing your habits, a service technician can carry out a deeper internal inspection, including the outer tub and internal hoses, which are not accessible without partially dismantling the machine.
Prevention
Keeping your LG washing machine smell-free long-term comes down to regular maintenance of a few key components. The parts most commonly replaced when odour problems become severe are the door seal (door gasket), which can harbour mould so deeply it cannot be cleaned away, the detergent drawer and drawer housing, and occasionally the drain pump filter housing if it has cracked and is retaining water. Replacing the door seal is a straightforward DIY job on most LG models and makes a dramatic difference if the rubber has deteriorated or staining is permanent.
Use the correct amount of HE (high-efficiency) detergent — overdosing is one of the leading causes of residue build-up. Run a tub-clean cycle at least once a month, and always leave the door ajar between washes. Search for your specific LG model's compatible parts below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the tCL code mean on my LG washing machine?
tCL is not a fault code — it is a reminder that your LG machine has detected it is time to run a Tub Clean cycle. It typically appears after a set number of wash cycles. Select the Tub Clean programme and run it with a cleaning tablet or white vinegar to clear the reminder and freshen the drum.
Can I use bleach to clean my LG washing machine drum?
Yes, diluted bleach can be used carefully. Add half a cup of chlorine bleach to the drum (not the detergent drawer) and run a hot empty cycle. Avoid using bleach and vinegar together in the same cycle as they react and produce harmful fumes. Always run a rinse cycle afterwards to clear any bleach residue before washing clothes.
Why do my clothes still smell after washing?
If clean laundry smells musty, the drum or door seal is almost certainly harbouring mould or bacteria that is transferring to your clothes during the wash. Clean the seal and run a tub-clean cycle as described above. Also check you are not leaving wet laundry sitting in the drum for extended periods after the cycle ends, as this quickly causes a sour smell.
How often should I clean my LG washing machine to prevent smells?
LG recommends running the Tub Clean cycle once a month. Clean the door seal wipe-down and detergent drawer every two to four weeks depending on how frequently you use the machine. Cleaning the pump filter every three months is also good practice. These habits together will prevent the vast majority of odour problems.
Is a smelly washing machine a health risk?
The mould and bacteria responsible for washing machine odours can potentially cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, particularly babies or people with respiratory conditions. While it is not an immediate danger for most people, it is worth addressing promptly. Regular cleaning eliminates the biological growth that causes both the smell and any associated health concerns.