Talk of The Villages Florida
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Talk of The Villages Florida (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/)
-   The Villages, Florida, New Members Forum (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/)
-   -   Musty laundry smell (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/musty-laundry-smell-361065/)

kschumacher 09-02-2025 06:44 PM
Musty laundry smell
 
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.

villagetinker 09-02-2025 07:30 PM
First, where do you live (area, not specific address), then people can comment on the water.
Second, do you have any water treatment in the house? We (area of Brownwood) found the water to be very hard and smelled of chlorine. This required an in-house treatment system.
Finally, most washers have a filter, you will need to look at the owners manual to find it and see if this a clogged.

kschumacher 09-02-2025 07:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by villagetinker (Post 2458579)
First, where do you live (area, not specific address), then people can comment on the water.
Second, do you have any water treatment in the house? We (area of Brownwood) found the water to be very hard and smelled of chlorine. This required an in-house treatment system.
Finally, most washers have a filter, you will need to look at the owners manual to find it and see if this a clogged.

We live in Duval

We have a (salt) water softener we’re not confident is working up to par.

Seriously, our former IL county home won awards for water quality. We’re not connoisseurs of wine or cheese. But water? Yep, that’s our claim to fame. LOL

And we will definitely look for a washer filter! Thank you for the tip.

Marathon Man 09-02-2025 08:20 PM
When I was a runner, I was told to put a little white vinegar in place of softener in the washer. It worked pretty well for my extra strong running clothes.

Vickim 09-02-2025 08:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458580)
We live in Duval

We have a (salt) water softener we’re not confident is working up to par.

Seriously, our former IL county home won awards for water quality. We’re not connoisseurs of wine or cheese. But water? Yep, that’s our claim to fame. LOL

And we will definitely look for a washer filter! Thank you for the tip.
Do you have a front loader ? If you do check the inside of the rubber seal , mold collects in there. Also, if you do, never close it completely! leave it open a tad it’s too tight of a seal ( so water doesn’t leak when washer is on ) and won’t ever dry out if clicked closed.

AZ SLIM 09-03-2025 03:09 AM
A while back we had a funky smell lingering in the laundry room. Seemed to be emanating from the washer. We don't use softeners or bleach. I put a cup of bleach in the empty washer and let it set over night. The smell has never returned.

thevillager1988 09-03-2025 05:24 AM
Plus an extra rinse
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 2458585)
When I was a runner, I was told to put a little white vinegar in place of softener in the washer. It worked pretty well for my extra strong running clothes.
Vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser PLUS the extra rinse. The extra rinse is to get the residual vinegar out of the washing machine dispenser. Also, make sure to leave your washing machine, and the dispenser open (remove if it's removable) so they dry completely after your loads are done.

BostonTom 09-03-2025 05:25 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.
If you have a front load washer every other week you need to clean underneath entire doors rubber gasket also top of it with straight vinegar spray it really heavy then wipe out out with Clorox wipes then put lots of vinegar into it run it empty followed by empty load with lots of bleach. Been doing this for years with my front load Speed Queen..

Worldseries27 09-03-2025 05:33 AM
They also sell over the counter commercial products that you can add to your washing machine as well as your dishwasher on a monthly basis. That's what i do. I have no issues

Sparky365 09-03-2025 05:41 AM
Washing Machine Oder
 
You may want to try washing machine cleaner tablets as well as the other suggestions.

They are relatively inexpensive and might be worth a try. They are available on Amazon with everything else.

Worldseries27 09-03-2025 06:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by sparky365 (Post 2458617)
you may want to try washing machine cleaner tablets as well as the other suggestions.

They are relatively inexpensive and might be worth a try. They are available on amazon with everything else.
agreed. Works for me. When i use the cleaning tab for the dishwasher i put in all my grills and trays from the small appliances. When i put a tab in the washing machine to clean it i always afterwards run a load with no clothes just to get rid of any residual soap

Rzepecki 09-03-2025 06:27 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458580)
We live in Duval

We have a (salt) water softener we’re not confident is working up to par.

Seriously, our former IL county home won awards for water quality. We’re not connoisseurs of wine or cheese. But water? Yep, that’s our claim to fame. LOL

And we will definitely look for a washer filter! Thank you for the tip.
If you use Downy liquid fabric softener, that may be the problem, not the water. If I don’t take the clothes out of my front loader immediately, they start to smell rotten.

westernrider75 09-03-2025 06:31 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.
I use a washing machine cleaner that I buy at Dollar Tree every month or so. We have dogs and I wash their blankets in our washing machine as well as horse blankets and as long as I use the cleaner I have never had a problem.

La lamy 09-03-2025 06:31 AM
I agree with previous posts about cleaning rubber seals if it's a front load machine. I always dry the excess water in there after my washes and leave the door open so the washer can dry completely. It works for me. I also add vinegar to my wash.

elevatorman 09-03-2025 06:40 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.
We also live in Duval. We have a Nova water filter and a front loader. Our washing machine gives us a message when it needs to be cleaned (after a certain number of loads) and I put an Afresh tablet in and run the clean cycle. Amazon.com
We also never use fabric softener, it is mostly animal fat and tends to linger in the machine. We use Tide for sensitive skin (the white bottle) or Kirkland brand when available. We also use Bounce dryer sheets. Laundry is fresh smelling.


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