Do you leave your washing machine door open between uses?

[HouseWonders]

I've just seen something about this on another thread...

I never leave my washer door open, nor did my Mam so I've just never seen it be done. But it seems that no matter how after I run my washer on a cleaning cycle, or clean the seal etc it just never smells great, and lately my clothes are sometimes stinky when they come it too.

Is this why?!

I am standing right beside my washing machine as we speak. I had no idea you were meant to leave the door and drawer open! Opened them as I read the thread 😂

Yes, I always leave it open but I'm fortunate that ours isn't in the kitchen, so it's not in the way to leave it open.
I've never had a washing machine 'smell'.
I've never 'cleaned' a washing machine or run a cleaning cycle in my life.
It might help that we have nice water where I live (?) but I definitely think a big part of it is letting the machine 'air' .

I don't have a "door" as mine is a top loader, but I always leave the top open when the machine isn't in use.

It's never off long enuf to leave open 😂

Yes I leave the door open all the time - also leave the tumble drier door open. But I put the powder in the drum so I don't leave the dispenser drawer open.

Yes, to air it and prevent mildrew.

No, because the Permanent Wash would get mouldy. As it is, I re-wash it every couple of days until I can muster the enthusiasm to take it out and start drying it. Then I put another load in, which becomes the new Permanent Wash.

My flat's knee-deep in dirty washing. But at least my clean stuff is very, very clean

Stinky machines usually need the filter emptied and/or the flappy part of the door seal wiped.

Never as I don't want bugs to go in. No smell

No because it would be in the way of me standing at the kitchen sink. I've tried leaving it a little bit open but it does little clicky creaks every few minutes. It doesn't smell at all, otherwise I'd use appropriate cleaning stuff.

I don't live in the UK so the idea of a washing machine in the kitchen is completely foreign to me, I did wonder how you'd manage to air it!

Someone should invent a little gadget that locks it slightly open but safe from curious toddlers and cook's kneecaps.

I leave mine fully open, and the detergent drawer, for a couple of hours after each wash, but it’s never fully closed. I don’t leave dirty washing in mine either. I live in a hard water area, so I always use limescale tablets, and do a hot wash once in a while. Not had any issues so far.

I thought it was just me 🤣🤣🤣

Yes I leave mine ajar, I put it on a hot wash while empty once a week with soda crystals in the drum too

Yes, both drawer and door fully open for a while after a wash. then ajar always

Yep door and drawers get left open overnight after a wash.
Same with the dishwasher

Yes, because my mum's washing machine engineer once told her to, and to put powder straight into the drum, not the tray. But I don't know if I would if I had small children about.

Yes, always

Always open. I have a little magnet thing that keeps it ajar without it being in the way

Yes, I leave it open and also pull the drawer out, tip the liquid out (usually just straight into the drum) and leave the drawer inside the drum - this lets the drum, drawer and drawer cavity dry out. No mould and no smell.

I also wash towels once a week at 90degC, which also helps clean the machine

Yes always

Yes. I’ve been doing it since 2020. I leave the drawer open too. My parents never did but I learned to leave it open thanks TikTok.

Always leave both the door and drawer open. Plus the utility room window is open all the time.

Mine is never left open (it is in the kitchen and it just looks untidy!)
Dont have any smells.

Yes I do this since a few years ago when we moved into a flat that had a closed washing machine door. The previous tenant had left it closed after a wash and the rubber seal was full of black mould and stank.