Washing Machine Odor
 

I have a friend whose washing machine developed an odor that contaminated her clothes. So, she bought a new washing machine, but the new one has the same problem. The odor seems to occur even when she uses only hot water or only cold water when washing her clothes. There is no odor anywhere else in the house, or even in the laundry room. Does anyone know what the problem may be?

All I can comment is I am amazed at the number of people who have encountered this in the last few years ! Never heard of it in my life until a daughter in law bought one of the new "water saving" models. Now, they are ALL that type (would give anything to have my old agitator where I could control the water level, the cycle, etc. But, so be it. The first thing I was told by sales person was "make SURE you purchase and use AS DIRECTED, the washer "cleaner" recommended" ! WHAT ? Something more to buy ? "Yes, the new styles of washers MUST be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent a serious odor problem". REALLY ? I am thinking "why", washers never had such problems ? And, if it did happen, why wouldn't running a simple vinegar cycle work ? Don't know, but this whole thing seems to be a relatively new "problem". "Afresh" is what I was told to use, but I understand Clorox also now makes a cleaner. Too bad your friend bought a new washer before trying the new "cleaners" first ! BTW, according to the internet information, the number one cause of W.M. odor is OVER USE/OVER MEASURING of detergent. Also machines bought in the last few years must not use the "typical" kinds of detergents you might have around. I was also warned about that my DIL and the appliance sales person. So could be your friend has never changed to the new type of detergent made for the new type of water saving machine, or, may not be using the washer cleaner on a regular enough basis ? Maybe ? Worth a try. Might take awhile of using the proper detergent and cleaning the machine on a regular basis to see if it all clears up. Doubt if it would disappear immediately but maybe with strict use according to the recommendations. I confess, I do NOT like any of the new style washers !

Thanks to the OP for posting the question and also to ladygolfer93 for a remedy. We just moved to another home and when running the washer there's an awful smell. We'll try the cleaner.

I use a tablet of Affresh now and then. You out it in the washer and run a clean cycle. I probably do that once a month. They make them specific for washing machines, dishwashers and garbage disposals. I bought them at Home Depot. Wal-Mart May now? Amazon for sure.

If it's a front load machine, there should be a sanitize cycle; run that on hot with about a half a cup of Clorox every couple of months. There is also a filter on the front of the machine that has to be cleaned out of lard that is left over from liquid detergents ( and over measuring as other poster suggested.) This needs to be done every year or two depending on frequency of use. Look for the liquid detergents that have a little HE symbol on the front-stands for high efficiency. I always leave the door ajar and even pull out the little drawer for detergent so they can dry out a little between loads.

Now top load machines, I don't know so much.

I was told to leave the he door open and he he rubber gasket needs to be pulled open and make sure it is clean. But keep the door open.

Been here 7 years, top load washer, no odors ever, however, we have a water softener and whole house filter installed. We use Tide HE exclusively and carefully measure. Whites use Clorox, softener, smell good stuff, and the detergent. Also we have the washer open when not in use. These are Sears units.

Thanks we will keep our current washing machine as long as possible.

They get more expensive and more difficult to live with

Simple solution, just leave the door ajar.

You couldn’t give me one of the water saver washers Evidently the stink or front loader. When I can’t fix mine and it goes I’ll be looking for commercial washer speed queen or roper, NO water saver, and simpler the better.

ABSOLUTELY, would give anything to get my OLD washer back !

Neighbors came over to sit on lanai and chat on this NICE (fall coming ?) evening. Telling them about question on TOTV, they said go to Bob Vila's website, search wash machine odor, it sure has ALL about it, the problems, how this all started, how many people do NOT measure detergent carefully every time, how people ignore careful cleaning of the all the dispensers for softener, detergent, bleach, etc. Check it out. I did when the neighbors left tonight, sure enough, I think the info there will help anyone solve this very inexpensively. The commercial cleaners are another expensive accessory to buy.... but the Vila website explains how it can all be solved with a bleach only wash, followed by a vinegar only (must be both to get the proper chemical reaction) cycle... it's all there on the web site with much other good info. !

I hope you succeed, I truly do. I shopped till I dropped, I tried Roper, I searched the internet, I called a person I know "back home" who works in a distribution center for only commercial laundry places.... I gave up and bought this so-so Maytag, water "saver", and don't let them tell you this "new" kind of agitator is "soooo much better" than the old style ! NO WAY, this one is the one that really knots up clothing, and there is no FULL tub of water to keep it from beating and tying things in knots. Do anything to keep yours running. And, if you find out where a truly old fashioned one is actually sold to retail customers, help everyone by letting them know where and the price. My Maytag is a little less than one year old and yet I'd try to sell it if I could get an old style Whirlpool, one I could fill with water to the top and soak items all night if needed and the "old style" agitator ! Only one place could offer one very small Hotpoint that was pretty much "traditional", but it was too small to do something like bedding or throw rugs. Maybe some manufacturer will realize there is such a market for traditional ones ??

Is it a Top Loader or Front Loader? A front loader, a few models have a gasket around the door then hold the detergent in the folds of the gasket and there is that smell. Even with the monthly Affresh Pill run through the smell will still be there. Our 4 plus-year-old Samsung front loaders get the cleaning pill on the first of the month and we leave the door slightly cracked open after each wash which allows the washer to dry totally. There is also a small door on the front with a hose that drains something inside and that gets done every first of the month. I also run a dehumidifier in our Laundry Room as a matter of good practice and it helps because we choose to dry a lot of our clothes by just hanging them instead of running everything in the Dryer.

Look on YouTube at Washer smell if the things I wrote for you don't help. The answer is something simple for sure. Good Luck.

Funny that have to give 1000 plus bucks for washer and have to just through hoops just to keep it from stinking. If everybody would give bad reviews and refuse to buy the junk maybe someone would wake up and make washer that actually washes clothes?

The new washer is a front load and only a few months old. I don't know about the old washer. Will try the Affresh first.

Yes the door should be left open , the air needs to circulate the odour yu can smell is stagnant water. In the UK we have. always had this type of washer , and I have never had a smell , the door is always left open. Maybe once a year I run it hot with bleach and washing soda

Here is the Consumer Reports list of traditional top loaders it has tested recently:
Washing Machine Ratings & Reviews - Consumer Reports

Here is the Consumer Reports list of High Efficiency top loaders it has tried recently:
Washing Machine Ratings & Reviews - Consumer Reports

Here is the Consumer Reports summary of pro and con for various sorts of washing machines:
Best Washing Machine Buying Guide - Consumer Reports

Here are the Consumer Reports reliability ratings for washing machines, based on over 100,000 ratings by members. You mention wanting an old style Whirlpool, but note that Whirlpool has the lowest reliability ratings. For top-loading High Efficiency washing machines, LG has the only Excellent reliability rating:
Brands That Make the Most Reliable Washing Machines - Consumer Reports

Thank you for the information

Years ago My summer job was as a pastry chef and every Sunday at 4:30 am I had to make 200 pecan sticky buns for brunch. Early on Kitchenaid changed the shape of the dough hook and the new one didn’t come close to the bowl sides. I wrote to kitchenaid and asked who designed the new shape, a man or woman? ( figuring back then more women were using the machine). I don’t think I got an answer. :). Which leads me to ask, who designed these new washing machines that are inferior IMO to the old top loading ones? My guess: sex doesn’t matter but it was someone who didn’t use a machine regularly. For reasons mentioned the front loading are a nuisance but for someone with a bad back they are also a pain!

Consumer Reports article on the moldy front load problem.
 

"Mold in your washing machine, the mystery and the menace."

April 2020 link to the problem. Consumer Reports.
Mold in Your Washing Machine: Mystery & the Menace - Consumer Reports

Re: Water Saver models top load models. I hate them but that's what we've got so here's solution. Repairman said on loads where I want more water just use the bedding cycle. It'll fill up the tank. Otherwise some clothes don't even get wet. I should bought a Speed Queen. I also use Affresh periodically.

If it is a front loader the Odor comes from mildew around the door seal. The cure is to leave the door open after washing to let it dry out. You can also wipe the seal with a cloth after you are done to keep it dry. This is a common problem with front loaders search the internet.

Washing machine odor
 

I do the same, prop open door and drawer. No odor over 4 years.

Two more things that you have to do to keep your washer clean. First is the rubber gasket around the front door has a very large flexible lip you must get a sponge and preached and clean the inside bottom of the river as it collects water that eventually molds up. The second thing you must do is takeout the detergent drawer from the upper top of the machine occasionally this can either be accomplished by pushing a lever that's inside or possibly two dimples on the left or right side. The two or three little cups that hold softener or separate detergent will have mold on them eventually . clean them in the sink. And of course do a hot cycle again everyone says and neither use some Clorox or affresh wishes three tablets for about five bucks the other thing is don't use too much detergent you don't need it. None of us work on farms all day.

I had one of these new-fangled front load washers back north. Hated it! Never had the smell. However, I did use the cleaner tablets every 6 months or so...just because. BUT, the thing that really helped was wiping down the rubber gasket that seals the door. It stays wet and that’s where the odor comes from. I got in and under the gasket and wiped it as dry as I could. Try that!

When is a door not a door? When it's ajar! :1rotfl:

It’s a problem with front loaders. Easy fix: there is a magnetic hook available from amazon ( I’m sure Lowe’s or Home Depot) cost was about $15. It goes on front door latch and holds it open a few inches. After using machine I quickly dry the inner rim and inside door, attach the door hook, also open the little softener/bleach door to air dry. Once a month, Tablets to “clean” the tub ( also available from amazon, Lowe’s or Home Depot
Odor gone.

Hello....just leave the door open and let the washing machine dry out before closing the door. We’ve been doing that for12 years and have never had a problem with oder.

How in the world did reputable manufacturers screw this up so badly?

Mold around the door gasket,clean it with vinegar,and run a clean cycle with baking soda monthly,leave the door open after every use

This has nothing to do with the smell of a wash machine but if your old one dies have it repaired. I bought one of the new ones & when it was only one year old the lady across the street was buying a new set of washer & dryer. I ask if I could have her old washer which she gave me. I gave my new one away free just to get rid of it. I will spend hundreds of dollars to have that one fixed if need be before buying another new one. I have a new one up north, (my motor burned on the old one). At that time did not know how bad the new ones were or would have put a new motor in it. I do not swear but I sure came close to it with the new machine. :)

If you can remember way back when all laundermats use front load washers. Doors left open at night.

Wash your underwear by hand before you put it in the washing machine.

Could this be the issue?
 

I’ve always done the laundry in my household and the only times I have experienced an odor in the clothes is if I left them wet in the washer to long. I forgot about the wash and hours later open the lid to a foul smell. Never happened when moving to dryer soon after cycle complete. Could be a simple solution for your friend. Good luck

A wash machine repairman suggested that I never close the lid after washing clothing nor should lid be closed when you leave for any length of time. Every washer retains water in the bottom, which can produce a smell - mold etc depending on type of detergent used or fabric softener. Since following his suggestion, have had no issues. Worth a try????

My wife and I are on our second front loading machine. The odor problem is likely from mildew growing around/under the door gasket. Unlike the older machines these front loaders seal tightly when the door is closed and never "dry out" allowing mildew to grow. The solution is simple, leave the door open between uses to allow the drum and gasket to dry. Don't waste your money on "cleaners".

Leave the door and the detergent door open after use. Clean by using bleach per washer instructions.

You need to be careful using vinegar. It’s an acidic and can have a detrimental effect on rubber which is the seal around the door. This issue was just discussed in a recent issue of consumer reports. The drain holes in the front door gasket need to be clean or the water will not drain completely. Leaving the door open slightly is the least expensive remedy. If the issue is that the machine is not draining all the water that will cause an odor as well.

It’s nit just a front loading machine. Mine is nit and I occasionally get the odor. Leaving lid open and a tablet of Affresh now and then works.