October 23, 2026, 12:00 pm | Read time: 2 minutes
After washing, many face a seemingly simple question: Should the washing machine door be left open or closed? While some close it immediately after unloading the drum, others deliberately leave it open. myHOMEBOOK consulted an expert to find out which approach is actually sensible and why.
Follow myHOMEBOOK on WhatsApp now
Leave the Washing Machine Door Open After Washing
myHOMEBOOK inquired with the sustainability initiative Forum Waschen about the washing machine door. The answer: Both the lid on top loaders and the door on front loaders should definitely be left open after washing. It’s also advisable to pull out the detergent drawer to let it dry. Dr. Bernd Glassl from the German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW) confirms: “The washing machine door and detergent drawer should remain open after removing the washed textiles.”
Related: How to Clean Your Washing Machine
But how long should the washing machine door be left open? “If it doesn’t obstruct, meaning the drawer or open door doesn’t block a narrow passage, then as long as possible,” is the response from Forum Waschen.
By the way: It doesn’t harm the washing machine to leave it open for an extended period. Neither the hinges nor the rubber seals are stressed by the open door, Glassl confirms. It’s different if you close the door too quickly, as moisture cannot escape.
What Are the Reasons?
“Bacteria need food and water to multiply,” the explanation goes. In a damp environment, slimy layers, known as biofilms, form. “If the washing machine remains open after removing the laundry, water can escape and bacterial growth is significantly slowed in a simple way.” According to Glassl, this can reduce unpleasant odors in the machine.
For this reason, washed laundry should ideally be removed from the washing machine immediately after the wash cycle ends and hung to dry or dried in a dryer. However, the latter option is both energy- and cost-intensive. Additionally, dryers are not particularly environmentally friendly.