Washing machine and dishwasher smells: a monthly routine

Why appliances smell in a coastal home

Washing machines and dishwashers are warm, wet and closed most of the day, which is exactly what mould and bacteria like. Add low-temperature cycles, liquid detergent and the humidity of a home near the sea, and a stale smell can build up inside the drum, the door seal and the detergent drawer.

On much of the Costa del Sol the tap water is hard, so limescale also coats heating elements and spray arms. Scale traps residue and makes the machine work harder, so the two problems feed each other.

The washing machine: a five-minute monthly routine

Wipe the rubber door seal with a damp cloth and look in the folds, where hair, lint and black mould collect. Pull out the detergent drawer if your model allows it and rinse it under warm water. Then leave the door and drawer slightly open between washes so the inside can dry.

Once a month, run an empty hot cycle (60 °C or the hottest your machine offers) with a washing-machine cleaner or a descaler made for the purpose. Also check and empty the drain filter, usually behind a small panel at the bottom front. Have a towel ready: some water will come out.

The dishwasher: filter, spray arms and salt

The filter at the bottom of the dishwasher is the usual source of bad smells. Take it out, rinse off food debris and scrub it gently with a soft brush. Check that the holes in the spray arms are not blocked by limescale or small particles; a toothpick clears them.

In hard-water areas the water-softener salt compartment matters. If your glasses come out cloudy or white-spotted, check that there is salt and that the hardness setting suits your local water. Your manual explains how to change it. Then run an empty hot cycle with a dishwasher cleaner every month or two.

What to avoid

Never mix bleach with vinegar or any acid: the mixture releases toxic gas. Use one product at a time and rinse well. Vinegar and citric acid do descale, but frequent use of strong vinegar can dry out rubber seals over time, so follow your manufacturer's guidance and do not make it a weekly habit.

Do not overdose detergent or fabric softener. The extra residue feeds the smell instead of preventing it. And if the odour returns right after cleaning, or you see water leaking, call a technician rather than hoping another cycle will fix it.

Where Lavanda fits in

Wiping seals, drawers and door edges is a small job that is easy to forget, and it matters most in holiday homes that sit closed for weeks. If you want it done before guests arrive or before you return, ask us when you book and we will include it in the clean.