He Washer Clothes Smell . Pour two to three cups of vinegar in the machine’s detergent drawer. 4) keep the washer door cracked. 'Why do my clothes smell after washing?' These are the most common from www.realhomes.com The most common culprit when clothes smell like detergent after washing is using too much detergent. Never mix bleach and vinegar together, as it creates a chlorine gas that can be harmful to you. Mix a solution of either bleach and hot water or vinegar and hot water.