France: Simple Fixes Eliminate Washing Machine Odor and Reduce Dryer Cycle Times

French households can remove persistent musty smells from washing machines by cleaning the rubber door seal with white vinegar and running an empty 90 °C wash cycle. The vinegar and heat dissolve mineral deposits, biofilm and mold that cause the odor, restoring fresh‑smelling laundry.

Similarly, dryers that suddenly take an hour longer often do so because they are placed in a sealed cellar or cupboard. The confined space traps heat and humidity, causing the dryer to re‑heat already warm, moist air and lengthen drying cycles. Ventilating the room or moving the dryer to a space of at least 8–10 m² with ambient temperatures around 20 °C restores normal performance.