You may have heard that leaving a washing machine door open is a mistake—or even that it can damage the machine. But if you have a front-load washer, closing the door immediately after every wash can actually create a more common problem: trapped moisture, musty odors, and mildew buildup.
So before changing your laundry routine, there’s one important detail to understand: the best practice is usually to let the washer dry between loads, but the exact care routine can vary by model. Major manufacturers including Whirlpool, Samsung, and LG recommend leaving the door open or ajar after washing to help moisture escape.
Why Closing the Door Right Away Can Cause Problems
A washing machine may look clean when the cycle ends, but there is still moisture inside.
Water can remain around:
- the rubber door gasket
- the drum
- the inside of the door
- the detergent dispenser
- other areas that don’t dry quickly
When those damp areas are enclosed, evaporation slows down. Over time, moisture combined with detergent residue, dirt, and warmth can contribute to unpleasant odors and mold or mildew growth.
LG specifically notes that moisture can remain inside the door gasket when the washer is kept closed, while Samsung recommends leaving the door open to improve air circulation and reduce mold and mildew buildup.
The Rubber Seal Is Often the First Place to Check
If you’ve ever opened a front-loading washer and noticed a strange smell, don’t look only inside the drum.
Take a close look at the rubber seal around the door.
The folds can hold small amounts of water, lint, hair, detergent residue, and other debris. Because the area stays damp, it can become a source of musty odors.
Samsung recommends regularly wiping the door seal, while LG advises keeping moisture from lingering around the gasket and drying the area after washing.
So, Should You Leave the Door Wide Open?
Not necessarily.
The practical goal isn’t to keep the washer door dramatically wide open all day. The goal is to allow enough airflow for the inside to dry.
For many front-load machines, leaving the door slightly ajar between loads is enough.
Whirlpool recommends leaving the door open between loads so fresh air can evaporate remaining moisture, and Samsung similarly recommends leaving the door open after use.
If your washer is in a narrow laundry room or walkway, a small opening may be more practical than leaving the door fully open.
Don’t Forget the Detergent Drawer
There’s another small habit that can make a surprisingly big difference.
After a wash, don’t immediately push the detergent drawer completely closed if it is still wet.
Moisture can remain inside the dispenser and contribute to residue and odors.
Samsung recommends leaving both the washer door and detergent drawer open to improve drying. LG also advises ventilating the detergent dispenser after washing.
A simple routine is:
- Remove the clean laundry.
- Check the rubber gasket.
- Wipe away obvious moisture.
- Leave the washer door slightly open.
- Leave the detergent drawer partly open so it can dry.
It takes less than a minute, but it can help keep the machine fresher.
What About the Image’s Claim That Leaving the Door Open Is a “Serious Mistake”?
This is where the headline needs some correction.
For a typical front-load washer, leaving the door open after a cycle is generally not considered a serious mistake. In fact, several major manufacturers recommend the opposite.
Whirlpool says leaving the door open between loads helps prevent odor-causing residue by allowing remaining moisture to evaporate. Samsung recommends leaving the door open to improve air circulation and prevent mold and mildew. LG likewise advises opening the door and dispenser so moisture can evaporate.
That doesn’t mean every washing machine should be treated identically.
Your owner’s manual should take priority, particularly if your model has a special ventilation or drying system.
The Bigger Mistake May Be Leaving Wet Laundry Inside
There’s another habit that can cause trouble even if you leave the door open afterward.
Don’t let a finished load sit forgotten inside the washer for hours.
Damp clothing keeps moisture inside the machine and can develop an unpleasant smell of its own. Samsung specifically recommends removing finished loads promptly, and LG also advises taking laundry out soon after the cycle finishes.
If you’ve ever pulled laundry out and wondered why it smells less than fresh even though you just washed it, this is one of the first habits worth checking.
Too Much Detergent Can Make the Problem Worse
More detergent doesn’t necessarily mean cleaner clothes.
Using more than the recommended amount can leave residue behind, particularly in high-efficiency machines. That residue can contribute to buildup and odors.
Samsung recommends using the appropriate HE detergent and the recommended amount, while Whirlpool also warns that inappropriate detergent or excessive residue can contribute to washer odors.
So if your washer smells musty, don’t automatically reach for more detergent.
Sometimes using less—not more—is part of the solution.
What to Do If Your Washer Already Smells
If opening the door reveals a musty smell, don’t simply cover it with scented laundry products.
Start by checking the areas where moisture and residue collect.
1. Empty the washer
Remove all clothing and make sure nothing is sitting inside the drum.
2. Inspect the rubber gasket
Pull back the folds gently and look for:
- lint
- hair
- detergent residue
- standing water
- visible mold or mildew
3. Wipe away moisture
Use a clean, dry cloth to remove water from the door, gasket, and accessible areas.
4. Clean the detergent drawer
Remove it if your model allows this and clean away residue according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Run the washer’s cleaning cycle
Many modern machines have a Tub Clean, Self Clean, or similar cycle. Follow the instructions for your particular model rather than adding random cleaning products.
Samsung recommends regular self-cleaning cycles, and Whirlpool recommends running its Clean Washer cycle monthly for maintenance.
Be Careful With Homemade Cleaning Tricks
This is one place where it’s better not to experiment.
Don’t assume that mixing household cleaners will make a stronger washing-machine cleaner. Some combinations of cleaning chemicals can create dangerous fumes.
Instead, follow the cleaning instructions in your washer’s manual and use products specifically recommended for the machine.
LG, for example, warns against using harsh chemicals, abrasive cleaners, or solvents on certain washer surfaces because they can cause damage.
Does This Apply to Top-Load Washers?
The basic principle—allowing the washer to dry between uses—can apply to top-load machines too, but the design is different.
A top-load washer doesn’t have the same front-door gasket, so the moisture problem may look different.
Still, manufacturers may recommend leaving the lid open after use. Samsung’s maintenance guidance, for example, advises allowing the washer to air out and dry.
The safest rule is simple:
Check your specific model’s care instructions.
A Simple Washer Routine That Takes About a Minute
You don’t need a complicated maintenance routine every time you do laundry.
After a normal load:
Remove the clothes → check the gasket → wipe obvious moisture → leave the door ajar → let the detergent drawer breathe.
That’s it.
Then, on a regular schedule appropriate for your machine, run its cleaning cycle and clean the areas that collect residue.
This approach addresses the actual problem—moisture and buildup—rather than simply trying to make the washer smell fresh.
What If the Smell Keeps Coming Back?
If you’ve cleaned the washer and the odor returns quickly, there may be something else going on.
Possible causes include:
- detergent buildup
- a dirty door gasket
- a clogged pump filter
- drainage problems
- water remaining inside the machine
- residue inside the detergent dispenser
Samsung notes that a dirty pump filter can contribute to odors, while LG points to detergent residue, drainage issues, and buildup as possible causes.
If cleaning doesn’t solve the problem, especially if the machine isn’t draining correctly or you notice leaks, unusual noises, or persistent odors, it’s worth checking the manual or contacting the manufacturer/service professional.
The Bottom Line
If you have a front-load washing machine, closing the door immediately after every wash is usually not the best way to care for it.
The bigger concern is trapped moisture.
Leaving the door open or slightly ajar gives the drum, gasket, and other damp areas a chance to dry. Major manufacturers including Whirlpool, Samsung, and LG all provide guidance supporting this practice for appropriate washer models.
So the next time your washing machine finishes a load, don’t rush to seal it shut.
Take the clothes out, wipe away any obvious moisture, and let the machine breathe.
That small habit can help prevent the musty smell that nobody wants to discover when they open the washer for the next load.
