Have you ever walked into your laundry room only to be hit with an unpleasant rotten egg odor? If so, you’re not alone. Many homeowners deal with this stinky smell in their laundry space, but the good news is – it’s usually an easy fix. Let’s explore some potential causes and solutions so you can get your laundry room smelling fresh again.
Ruling Out the Obvious Culprits First
Before we dive into some of the more complex reasons you might smell rotten eggs near your washer and dryer, let’s rule out some basic things first:
- Check for old wet clothes or towels – If something has been sitting wet for too long, mildew can start to grow and create a sulfur type smell. Remove anything damp and wash or dry it.
- Take out the trash – It’s easy for random food particles or other smell-causing items to end up at the bottom of a laundry room garbage can. Empty it regularly.
- Clean the lint trap – Lint can trap all kinds of odors over time. Keep this cleaned out for better air flow.
When It’s a Drainage Problem
If you’ve ruled out the usual suspects above as the reason for your eggy odor, the next place to investigate is your laundry room drainage. There are a couple ways improper drainage can cause rotten egg smells:
Blocked or clogged laundry tub drain: If the drain where you wash things by hand is backing up even a little bit, the water that sits there between uses can get stinky. Try pouring 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. Let it foam and bubble for 5 minutes then rinse with very hot water.
Dry p-trap: The p-trap is the u-shaped pipe under your sink. It needs water in it at all times to prevent sewer gas from entering your laundry room. If you don’t use the sink often, pour water down it periodically to maintain the water level.
Faulty vent stack: Every home’s drainage system has a vent stack that allows gas and odors to escape outside. If this vent stack is blocked for some reason, those gases could come inside instead. Have your vent stack professionally inspected if other solutions don’t work.
When Improper Detergent Use is the Culprit
Another possible reason you smell rotten eggs in the laundry room? It could be your choice of detergent. Here’s why:
Most mainstream laundry detergents contain chemical fragrance additives. The problem is that some people are sensitive to these strong scents. What do you smell instead? You guessed it – rotten eggs or sulfur!
The fix: Switch to a fragrance-free, sensitive skin laundry detergent. You can also try adding a half cup of plain baking soda along with your regular detergent to help neutralize odors. Over time, the rotten egg smell should disappear.
Calling in the Professionals
If you’ve gone through all of these troubleshooting tips and STILL smell rotten eggs in your laundry area, it may be time to call a plumber. There could be bigger issues going on:
- Cracks in your drainage pipes allowing sewer gas to seep in
- Backflow problems bringing gray water back inside
- Issues with your main sewer line or septic tank
A professional plumber has the equipment to inspect all aspects of your home’s plumbing and drainage system. They can pinpoint issues that may be causing rotten egg odors and help you fix them.
The good news? Now you know the MOST common reasons why laundry rooms can take on a rotten egg smell. In many cases it’s an easy DIY fix like cleaning traps or replacing detergent. But if the smell persists despite your best efforts, call the pros!
In Summary…
That rotten egg odor coming from your laundry room is probably happening for one of these reasons:
- Mildewy wet clothes or towels sitting too long
- Smelly trash that needs emptying
- A lint trap that needs cleaning
- Clogged drains or dry p-traps letting sewer gas inside
- Vent stack issues prohibiting gases from escaping outside
- Using laundry detergents with strong fragrances
- Cracks in drain pipes or plumbing allowing gas leaks
Knowing the cause is half the battle! Try the troubleshooting tips outlined above first. But if the smell won’t go away, a professional plumber can inspect your home’s plumbing system and identify any issues needing repair.
With some diligent detective work and these fixes, you’ll be breathing easy in your fresh-smelling laundry room again soon. No more holding your breath when you do that first sniff test ever time you walk in!
References
American Public Health Association. Control of Communicable Diseases Manual. 20th ed. Amer Public Health Assn, 2015.
United States Environmental Protection Agency. “Identify and Eliminate Smells in Your Home.” EPA, 2022, https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/identify-and-eliminate-smells-your-home
The Spruce. “How to Clean a Washing Machine Drain.” The Spruce, 2022, https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-clean-a-washing-machine-drain-4075648
Laura has had an enthusiasm for laundry ever since she was a teenager experimenting with wash cycles. She went on study textile science in college before working in product testing.
Soon, Laura found friends and family constantly asking her laundry advice, realizing she had become an unofficial laundry guru. The questions kept coming in, so Laura decided to start sharing laundry tips online to help more people. The enthusiastic response led her start the blog “Laundry How”.
Now in her late thirties, Laura uses Laundry How to tackle all kinds of laundry topics – stains, fabric care, detergents, and more. She provides advice from both her studies and experience testing techniques out firsthand. Laura continues to grow an engaged community of laundry learners, feeling fulfilled empowering people to make laundry an easy, confidence-building ritual rather than a dreaded chore.