Why Does Your Fridge, Washer, or Oven Smell? Common Causes & How to Fix Them

Strange appliance smells in your home can be irritating and sometimes concerning. Most of the time, the cause of the smells can be trapped food, moisture, mold, and small drainage and ventilation issues. These issues are most common in kitchens and laundry rooms.

For instance, if you wonder why the fridge smells bad even after getting rid of stale food, you could be overlooking hidden spills, a clogged drain, and even a dusty drip pan. A washing machine odor stems from mildew around the gasket and also from detergent that has not been rinsed properly, while the oven smells can become reeking when grease or food burns on the heating elements or any other adjacent surfaces.

Every smell you encounter isn’t harmless. A quick burn-off in an oven may be normal, but the smell of burnt wires or gas is concerning. The good news is that most odors that we encounter can be fixed with just a bit of cleaning. In this article, we will provide easy and effective do-it-yourself solutions, and highlight when it is best to get in touch with an expert.

Refrigerator Odors — Common Causes

It’s always so frustrating when you realize that your refrigerator smells bad. There are a few culprits behind the source of the smell that you can usually take care of by cleaning properly.

Spoiled Food and Spills

Spoiled leak food is one of the most common causes of fridge odor. Spills soak into fridge drawers and shelves can cause long-lasting smells if not attended promptly.

Dirty Door Gaskets

Moisture and crumbs are often trapped within the rubber door seals of refrigerators. This can lead to mold in the fridge and accompany a moldy smell whenever you open the door.

Drainage and Drip Pan Issues

When the defrost drain becomes blocked, the water will sit stagnant inside the unit. A dirty drip pan can also produce bad smells, commonly referred to as the fridge drain pan smell.

Dusty Condenser Area

The area around the condenser coils can also become dusty. This, in turn, affects the fridge’s cooling ability, spoiling food quicker, and producing noxious odors.

Filters and Temperature Settings

Odor may come from an overdue filter, and food may spoil from incorrect temperature settings. Set the fridge temperature to around 37 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit to keep food fresh and safe.

If an unpleasant smell persists even after cleaning, you may need to schedule a professional refrigerator repair.

Refrigerator: Quick Cleaning & Deodorizing

Doing a regular fridge deep clean means you can clean a smelly refrigerator and ensure your food stays safe. With a few simple steps, you can freshen it up and deodorize the fridge naturally.

Step 1: Empty and Inspect

Start by taking out all items in the fridge. Throw away anything that is expired or has gone bad. Sometimes even sealed jars can leak and smell bad, so be sure to check everything very carefully.

Step 2: Wash Shelves and Drawers

Remove the shelves and drawers and wash them with warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry before putting them back. This step eliminates a big part of the smell.

Step 3: Wipe Gaskets and Surfaces

Clean the rubber door gaskets with light soap or vinegar. This part usually gets crumbs and moisture caught inside, quickly leading to mold that causes odors.

Step 4: Flush the Defrost Drain and Drip Pan

Mix warm water with a bit of baking soda and pour it into the defrost drain to unclog it. Then, pull out the drip pan, wash it thoroughly, and sanitize it to eliminate bad odors.

Step 5: Clean Condenser Area and Replace Filter

Vacuum dust and dirt from the area around the condenser coils. If there’s a water filter in the fridge,replace the filter if it’s overdue because old filters can contribute to the smell.

Step 6: Deodorize and Reset Temperature

To deodorize the fridge naturally, keep an open container of baking soda or a deodorizer with charcoal inside. Set the temperature between 37-40°F to keep the food fresh and to avoid the formation of new smells.

Following these steps will ensure the refrigerator is free of smells and will remain cleaner for a longer period of time.

Washing Machine Odors — Common Causes

When your washer smells musty, it can create an unwanted odor on your clothing and in your laundry room. Such smells do not happen overnight. They build up as a result of moisture, leftover detergent, or issues with drainage inside the machine.

Mold and Mildew in Gaskets and Drawers

Front-load washers are prone to odd smells, known as front-load washer odor, due to leftover water resting in the rubber door gasket. This moisture, combined with trapped detergent, creates a breeding ground for mildew. In addition, the detergent drawer can also become dirty and grow mold, complicating the issue further.

Detergent Overuse and Cold Cycles

Lots of homeowners think that the more detergent you put in, the cleaner the laundry will be, but it actually leaves a sticky layer which traps the dirt and keeps the odor. Furthermore, cold cycles worsen the problem because hot water helps dissolve the detergent completely. This residue builds and remains in the drum and hoses, which makes the washer unpleasantly smelling.

Standing Water and Drainage Issues

Another common cause of a washer’s drain smell is the standing water that sits in the drain pump filter. If standing water is not drained out and left unattended, the bacteria in the water will cause bad odors. A blocked standpipe or a kinked drain hose can also cause the water to become stagnant and lead to unpleasant smells.

Closed Doors Between Cycles

The washer door closed after each cycle keeps the residual moisture inside. Mildew develops quickly without ventilation and appears on clothes.

Routine cleaning and preventive maintenance for a washer is crucial, but in the event these issues continue to persist, a qualified washer repair professional should be contacted.

Washing Machine: Deep Clean & Maintenance

The most effective way to clean a smelly washer is to deep clean the washing machine on a regular basis. Odors in washers usually come from residue, mildew, or trapped water, and a proper wipe cycle can make a significant impact.

Step 1: Run a Cleaning Cycle

Start by running a washing machine cleaning cycle or the hottest available cycle. Use a washing machine cleaner or add 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum (Note: Never mix vinegar with bleach, as this creates toxic fumes). This step eliminates residue from the washing machine and kills odor-creating bacteria.

Step 2: Scrub Gasket and Drawer

Remove the detergent drawer and wash it with warm, soapy water. Make sure to clean the rubber gasket with a soft brush, as grime and mildew tend to hide there; these areas are the most common spots to remove mildew from the washer.

Step 3: Clean Filter and Wipe Drum

Next, clean the drain pump filter and clean the rest of the machine according to the procedure mentioned in your washing machine user manual. Use a damp cloth to wipe the drum to remove any residual material.

Step 4: Keep It Dry

After every load, it’s important to open the door or lid to aid in moisture evaporation. This simple step reduces the chances of mildew growth.

To keep the bad smells away and to keep the inside of the washer fresh, follow the above-mentioned steps every month.

Oven/Range Odors — Common Causes

Having odd smells coming from your oven or range can be concerning, especially when an oven smells like burning. Some smells can be harmless, but others can be trouble, and possibly even dangerous.

Food Spills and Grease Buildup

One of the most common causes of unpleasant oven smells is old food spills and grease. When they burn onto the heating elements or the oven walls, they leave behind a distinct smell. Using foil or liners containing grease might worsen the problem.

Dirty Range Hood Filters

Range hood filters start smelling if the grease and charcoal filters are not cleaned and replaced in a timely manner. Dirty filters will circulate smells right back to the kitchen instead of removing the smoke and steam.

New-Oven Off-Gassing

Newly bought ovens may emit an unusual chemical odor during the first few uses. This is usually a result of burning off protective coatings or manufacturing residues. While the odor is a temporary nuisance, it is important to ventilate the area until the smell has gone.

Blocked Burners and Serious Red Flags

Residue on burner ports of gas stoves can cause abnormal burning patterns with accompanying odors. Serious smells can include burning plastic, burning wire, or gas with a sulfur-like, “rotten egg” stench. These are signs of gas leaks or wiring issues, and they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

If any of these problems arise, switch off the device immediately, ventilate the area, and call an expert. For quick and assured assistance, reach out to the oven experts at Universal Appliance Repair.

Oven/Range: Cleaning & Safety Steps

Bad smells coming from your oven can be unpleasant. However, cleaning the appliance with the right technique will restore the oven’s freshness. Also, knowing how to differentiate the clean oven smell from warning odors can keep your kitchen safe.

Step 1: Cool and Clear Debris

Do not attempt to clean the oven while it is still hot. Also, remember to take out foil, large chunks of food, or any burnt pieces of food that might be in there.

Step 2: Wipe with Soap and Water

Use a cloth to wipe the inside surfaces with warm, soapy water. This will remove light grease and help remove the oven grease smell from the recent spills.

Step 3: Treat Stubborn Grease

For tough baked spots, use a paste of baking soda (covered as three parts baking soda to one part water). Apply to spots and let sit for several hours, then rinse and scrub gently.

Step 4: Maintain the Range Hood

The range hood should also be cleaned since it’s part of the ventilation system. To prevent the recycling of smoke and odors in your kitchen, it’s best to wash or change the range hood filters.

Step 5: Finish with a Burn-Off

After cleaning, set the oven to 350-400 degrees and let it sit for 15 – 20 minutes. This quick burn off lets the oven get rid of the cleaning residue while replenishing the inside.

If you smell gas, electrical burning, or any type of burning plastic, you have to stop what you are doing and call a professional repair service. These are not cleaning issues; these are serious safety issues.

Dishwasher Odors (Optional Bonus)

If the dishwasher smells bad, it can ruin the fresh feel of a clean kitchen. Smells typically originate from a few recurring issues. Understanding the problems makes finding the correct solutions easier.

Common Causes of Dishwasher Odors

Food buildup in the filter – The filter becomes full of food particles and grime, and if not frequently cleaned, bacteria will form and cause foul smells to develop.
Clogged spray arms – There are small particles of food that block off the water flow, causing residue in the tub.
Poor drainage – An Air gap or a clogged hose could result in standing water, one of the biggest causes of the dishwasher drain odor.
Moisture left behind – The humidity traps virus and bacteria, and creates the optimal condition for them to flourish.

Fixes for a Smelly Dishwasher

Clean the dishwasher filter – Remove the filter and the cover and scrub them with warm, soapy water. Rinse the spray arms to restore water flow and disinfect them.
Check the drain hose and air gap – Remove any obstructions to water drainage, as well as any clogs in the hose.
Run a vinegar cycle – Pour a cup of vinegar onto the top rack of the dishwasher and run the hottest cycle to cut grease and bacteria.
Follow with baking soda – Sprinkle the baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short cycle to get rid of any lingering odors.
Use rinse aid and repeat monthly – Rinse aid reduces buildup and ensures cleaner water drains.

If the odor persists and is not eliminated by cleaning the dishwasher, there is likely a more serious problem. It is recommended to book a professional dishwasher repair service.

Preventing Future Appliance Odors

To keep nasty smells from invading your home, getting ahead of them is key. Stick to a few easy routines, and your kitchen and laundry will prevent appliance odors. Plus, these habits help your machines last longer, too.

Appliance Maintenance Tips

Wipe gaskets weekly – The rubber seals on your fridge and washing machine trap crumbs and moisture. A quick swipe stops mold and grime before they can grow.
Empty and clean drip pans – Peek under your fridge and check the drip pan every few months. Empty and clean it to kick germs and bad smells to the curb.
Flush fridge drains quarterly – Mix warm water and a sprinkle of baking soda, and rinse the drain holes. This step keeps the pipes clear and the fridge smelling fresh.
Run a washer tub-clean monthly – Use a hot cycle and a washer-cleaning product to remove soap scum and odor. It only takes a few minutes, and you’ll save yourself bigger problems later.
Leave washer doors ajar – After a load, leave the washer door open. Air can flow in and stop moisture from sticking.
Replace filters on schedule – Change the fridge water filter and the vent hood filter when the indicator light or date says to.
Clean oven spills quickly – If something spills in the oven, wipe it right away before it hardens and burns on later.

By following these quick and easy appliance maintenance tips, you can keep appliances smelling fresh and save yourself from stubborn odors down the line.

When to Call a Professional

If you deep-clean an appliance and the smell doesn’t go away, the problem is usually more than just crumbs and spills. Musty washing machines or sour-smelling refrigerators may be hiding problems like blocked drains, tiny leaks, or worn-out parts that a mop and soap can’t reach.

Watch out for warning signals like a refrigerator that won’t chill despite the right temp setting, a washer that won’t lose that musty smell, or an oven that gives off a burning smell like melted plastic or hot wires. A constantly tripped breaker and ongoing leaks are also signals you shouldn’t ignore.

When these problems occur, calling an appliance repair in Los Angeles is the best move. If you’re searching for an appliance technician near me, Universal Appliance Repair is ready to deliver fast, brand-trained help. We’ll get rid of the smell safely and stop small issues from growing into expensive breakdowns later.

Schedule Service with Universal Appliance Repair

If odors keep coming back or you notice signs of a bigger problem, it’s time to schedule appliance repair with a trusted local expert. Universal Appliance Repair has been serving Los Angeles homeowners for years with fast, professional service.

Our technicians are trained to handle all major brands and can quickly diagnose hidden leaks, clogged drains, failing gaskets, or electrical concerns that DIY cleaning can’t fix.

When you search for appliance repair in Los Angeles, you want a team that offers both expertise and convenience. That’s why Universal Appliance Repair makes booking simple and stress-free. Don’t wait until odors turn into costly damage—contact us today.