My Washing Machine Started Stinking

Noticed funky smells every time I opened my washing machine last month. Felt like gym socks rotting in there after each wash cycle. Decided enough was enough and grabbed my phone to Google DIY cleaning hacks immediately.

Attempted Vinegar & Baking Soda Method

Mixed white vinegar and baking soda like every blog said. Poured that fizzy mess into the detergent drawer first. Ran the hottest empty cycle possible. The noise sounded like marbles bouncing around when it spun. After three hours? Still smelled like wet dog near the rubber seal.

• Cost: Only spent $3 on grocery store supplies
• Time: Took half my Saturday with all the scrubbing
• Result: Mild improvement but mold spots stayed

Called Professionals As Backup Plan

Hired this local appliance cleaning crew after seeing neighbor's referral. Guy showed up with actual tools - not just kitchen ingredients. Watched him dismantle my drum like LEGOs. Pulled out nasty sludge chunks I never knew existed inside pipes.

He used pressurized steam and some thick blue gel paste on hidden parts. Showed me the gunk bucket afterward - looked like swamp water with hairballs floating in it. Made me gag honestly.

• Cost: $85 flat rate including labor
• Time: In and out in 90 minutes
• Result: Smelled like new hardware store next laundry day

DIY vs Pro Cleaners Face-Off

Now the showdown. My homemade vinegar mix sorta works for light maintenance between proper cleanings. But that nasty hidden mold behind seals? No chance with kitchen supplies.

The professional equipment actually dislodged years of gunk buildup. Worth every penny when I realized they cleaned areas I couldn't even see without taking machine apart.

Final verdict? Do vinegar soaks monthly yourself to maintain. But schedule professional deep cleaning yearly - especially if your washer smells like locker room death like mine did.