[kgentile1010]

Hi,

I have a 7 year old front load washer. When I moved to the villages, I started to use Downy water softener, and now my washer really smells. I've done everything Google and I can think of. Ran the TUB Clean cycle numerous times. Got some washing machine cleaner, ran that through. Used Bleach, vinegar, hot water. Cleaned inside and out with Mold/Mildew cleaner. Still smells.


What I think I need is someone to come out, remove the rubber gasket around the door and clean it out there, and maybe other places I can't get to.

I called a few repair men and explained what I needed and no one wanted to help me.

Does anyone know someone who can do this for me.

Otherwise, the washer works fine. The clothes don't smell, just the washer.

Thanks

[Rollie]

You've tried everything that I would have tried. These front load washer are known for the smell. It seems that moisture is left behind after the wash and mold forms. Sorry I can't help.

Rollie

[kittygilchrist]

Lawsuit over front-load washers may drive consumers back to energy-wasting models : TreeHugger

yuck. I got a front loader last year....sigh.

[salpal]

Every time I do a load of wash, I take an old towel and soak up all the excess water that lays in the rubber seal things at the bottom of the door. Then I leave the door open for several hours so it can dry. It is a pain in the neck and I will never buy another front loader. However, I do find that my towel trick keeps it from smelling.

[jane032657]

There is stuff you can buy that you run through the washer when it is empty on a regular basis and it keeps it from smelling. It is expensive though.

Or you can do this which is easy...

How to Clean Your Front-Loading Washing Machine

[kgentile1010]

Yup, bought cleaner stuff, did the sponge scrubber thing. I can pretty much see the mold under the rubber seal. I don't want to take it off in case I can't get it back on. I need someone to come out and do that.

[Dafoe]

There are several things I've learned about front loading washers and the smell. One is that for some units, there is actually a filter behind the front lower kick plate that is to be cleaned every few months. I had never been told that and found it quite frustrating to learn that this was part of the regular maintenance. Some do not have this filter and what I found that worked was Norwex powered laundry soap. You can order it on line. It is AMAZING. I used it 2-3 times and NO MORE SMELL! It turns out that Tide, ERA, etc all have a build up of something that creates a great environment for things to grow and smell. I also bought Stinky Washer cleaner from Ace Hardware and that worked, but I had to do it every few weeks / to every few months. Once I started using the Norwex product, I never had a smelly washer again. I do not sell Norwex, so I'm not promoting anything that I get something back from... just passing on a great tip! It is expensive, but you use just a tiny bit of it -- 2 Tsp. so it lasts a LONG time! Here is their link: www.norwex.com/‎

[SantaClaus]

I've heard running an empty, hot cycle with a cup of baking soda helps. Haven't tried it yet, but need too.

[Leo G.]

Do you keep the door cracked open when not in use? That's what we have been told to do, so it can dry out in between uses.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by kgentile1010

Hi,

I have a 7 year old front load washer. When I moved to the villages, I started to use Downy water softener, and now my washer really smells. I've done everything Google and I can think of. Ran the TUB Clean cycle numerous times. Got some washing machine cleaner, ran that through. Used Bleach, vinegar, hot water. Cleaned inside and out with Mold/Mildew cleaner. Still smells.


What I think I need is someone to come out, remove the rubber gasket around the door and clean it out there, and maybe other places I can't get to.

I called a few repair men and explained what I needed and no one wanted to help me.

Does anyone know someone who can do this for me.

Otherwise, the washer works fine. The clothes don't smell, just the washer.

Thanks

Do a search on this site front load washer, lots of other threads. Maybe there is a solution on one of those threads.

[Sable99]

We have two front load washers. The one in Michigan is about five years old and the one in The Villages is almost 2 years old. We bought the front loaders with the pedestals for two reasons: Mom has two artificial hips and its easier for her to just reach in and I am short and could barely reach the bottom to take out clothes in a top load washer!!

We noticed some of our clothes in the Michigan washer were getting a yellowish tinge.

We now use the Tide Washing Machine Cleaner about once a month. We also leave the door open for a few hours and I periodically wipe down the rubber seal with an old cloth.

It says on the box if you have an odor that you should use 1 pouch weekly for two consecutive weeks and after that monthly for maintenance. That is what we did and, so far, it has worked for us.

[Happy Snowbird]

Use vinegar as your fabric softener & it gets all the soap out of your clothes and prevents build up in the washer. I love my front loader. I also leave the door slightly open when not in use.

[dgammon6]

We have an LG front load washer. Had oder trouble for a while until we learned about a drain line in a small compartment bottom left under the door. Excess water drains there and sets and eventually causes oder. It's easy to drain and only needs to be done monthly. We also leave the door open for a while after washes. No more oder.

[Bonanza]

I agree that leaving the door ajar is the main thing that will help avoiding a smelly washer.

I also wipe off all over and around the door, including that rubber gasket (that seals the door when it's closed), as well. I wipe a sponge inside that rubber gasket that can hold hair and lint (just pull it open). My washer is a Whirlpool and assume most of them are like this.

[Lauren Sweeny]

My front load smelled so bad I talked my husband into watching w YouTube to disassemble it to find the cause. Seems there are a lot of curved tubes and wells that hold bits of water. Tried the Odo ban, vinegar ,baking soda etc ..We always wipe it out, keep door open and put a tub of absorbing crystals in overnite. Manufacturers make a pouch of cleaner but it does not work. How about a class action suit Anyone?