The choice affects money, safety and hygiene.
Across Britain, families prop washing-machine doors wide to “let things dry”. It feels sensible. It often backfires. Guidance from repair professionals and manufacturers points to a narrower, smarter window that keeps odours at bay and spares parts from needless strain.
What manufacturers actually advise
User manuals rarely say “leave the door open indefinitely”. Most advise brief airing only. That nuance matters. Washing machines are built to maintain a small moisture buffer inside the system.
After a cycle, many models deliberately hold a small pool of water in the sump or piping. That reserve keeps seals supple and pumps primed. It typically sits in the 0.5 to 2 litres range, depending on design. Force everything bone-dry, day after day, and residues from detergent and fibres set like grout.
Most machines retain 0.5–2 litres by design to protect seals and pumps; forced drying hardens residues and raises wear.
Hardened deposits make heaters work harder. They cling to pipes. They trap odour. Energy use can climb as elements fight through scale and grime. The drawer and its channels suffer too. That is often where musty smells start, not deep in the drum.
Why leaving the door wide open backfires
The hinged glass porthole on a front-loader is heavy. When it hangs open, that weight keeps pulling on the hinge pin and the mounting points. Over months, the door can sag. Latches misalign. Seals stop biting properly. Leaks follow.
Top-loaders face a different issue. An open lid wicks humidity into the hinge cavity, washing away lubrication and encouraging corrosion. The result feels minor at first: a little extra wobble, a faint creak. Then the repair quote arrives.
Hinges, seals and household safety
A yawning door attracts attention. Toddlers climb. Pets chew. A bored cat can tear a rubber bellow with a single bite. A curious child can twist a hinge or slam the door against its stop. Each incident adds play to the joint. That play becomes a leak path under spin forces.
An open door is an invitation to little hands and paws. Torn seals turn into water on the floor and a call-out fee.
Shutting the door when the interior is aired reduces those risks. It also keeps the drum out of reach when no adult is nearby.
The 1 to 2 hour window that actually works
The balanced approach is simple. Vent the machine briefly, then close it. That means leaving the door ajar for 1 to 2 hours after the final spin, allowing humid air to escape without leaving mechanics on constant strain.
Leave the door ajar for 1 to 2 hours, then shut. Control odours with cleaning cycles, not day-long airing.
Controlling smells and biofilm needs targeted cleaning, not permanent ventilation. Most modern washers include a drum-clean programme for this purpose. White vinegar or citric acid can assist, in moderation, when the manual permits.
- Wipe the door seal folds and the detergent drawer after each wash to remove trapped fluff and suds.
- Empty the drum promptly; never leave wet laundry sitting inside.
- Run a hot maintenance cycle monthly at 60–90 °C, ideally with an appropriate cleaner or vinegar if allowed.
- Rinse or soak the detergent drawer and its channel to stop slime forming upstream.
- Check and clean the drain filter regularly to keep water moving freely.
Three habits, three outcomes
| Habit | Short-term effect | Long-term risk | Household safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| Door shut immediately | Moist air trapped, odour may build | Biofilm growth in seal and drawer | Lowest tampering risk |
| Door left open all day | Interior dries, parts held under strain | Hinge sag, seal damage, corrosion risk | Attracts children and pets |
| Door ajar 1–2 hours, then closed | Moisture released without overexposure | Lower wear, fewer odours with routine cleans | Reduced access once closed |
Costs, odours and energy: what you gain
Hinge assemblies, seals and call-out labour add up quickly. A sagging door can turn into a three-figure bill once parts, time and travel are counted. A swollen seal that no longer mates properly may appear minor, yet water creeping under a plinth or into a downstairs neighbour’s ceiling rarely stays cheap.
Energy also sits in the balance. A clean heater runs efficiently. One wrapped in scale or detergent concrete draws more power to reach the same temperature. A routine monthly hot cycle and a wiped drawer can prevent that drag.
Odour control relies on removing the food source for microbes. That means clearing the drawer channel, flushing the sump and filter, and drying the seal folds. Airing helps only at the margin. Cleaning tackles the cause.
Smart cleaning, not harsh shortcuts
White vinegar and citric acid dissolve limescale and soap residues. They work well in modest doses on maintenance cycles, where the liquid is quickly diluted and flushed. Overuse can attack certain rubbers and metals, so follow the manual. Bleach clears mould but can harden seals over time. Targeted, regular care beats occasional, aggressive shock treatments.
Practical tweaks for tricky homes
In a tiny flat, moisture can linger. Open a window in the utility room while the door is ajar. A desk fan angled across the opening speeds the 1–2 hour purge. In an integrated kitchen, pull the cupboard door open for the same period to avoid trapping damp around the cabinet.
Hard water areas see faster scale build-up. Consider a water softener or use a detergent suited to your hardness level. That reduces residue, protects the heater, and keeps the drum fresh between cleans.
When the smell won’t shift
If a musty note hangs around, check three hotspots. Slide out the detergent drawer and scrub the upper spray channels. Peel back the door seal to clean the folds where lint and water pool. Unscrew the drain filter, catch the water in a shallow tray, and remove coins, hairpins and sludge that slow drainage.
Persistent odours after cleaning can indicate trapped water behind the drum or a partially blocked outlet hose. A maintenance cycle at 90 °C followed by a full drain often clears it. If not, a technician can test flow and inspect the sump for hidden debris.
What this means for you this week
Small changes pay back. Air for 1–2 hours, then close. Run one hot, empty cycle this month with an approved cleaner. Wipe the seal and drawer today. Check the filter this weekend. These minutes save parts, keep the machine sweet, and cut the chance of a wet floor.
If you share a home with children or pets, set a simple rule: door open only while someone is nearby and a timer is on. When the timer ends, the door closes. Your hinges, seals and energy bill will thank you.
Isnt leaving the door ajar for 1–2 hours still trapping moisture? My manual says to keep it open longer.