Yep, too much soap, always leave door ajar, clean rubber boot around door, run though a cycle with a cup of bleach only(no clothes) to help clean it out. Front load Maytag models seem to have the most complaints about boot mold.

I had the problem with front load AND top load. Tide makes a washing machine cleaner also. I thought the problem was caused by the yucky water, but now I'm not so sure. Just got a new washer with less features, and it let's me control the amount of water used.....so we'll see if that helps.

She most likely has a front load washer. These mashies always has excess water in the machine that never drained. The simple solution is to keep the washing machine door slightly ajar when not in use

If you have a front loading washing machine it is a characteristic of the machine to develop mold in the rubber gasket around the door. Leave the door open when not in use a crack so that it can dry properly. There is also a cleaning rinse for the machine you can get on Amazon that you use in an empty cycle. We have had that machine and when purchasing a new one we went back to the old top loader due to that oder.

I don't think it is up to the manufacturers but the government who has mandated water saver models.

Personally, I have a Whirlpool Duet front load HE washer and dryer. They were in the house when we purchased our pre owned home. I love these HE appliances. I LOVE the fact there is no agitator in the washer. My clothes come out clean and smell great. I use those HE pods from Costco, usually one pod for a regular load and two pods for a really large load. The HE washer spins out the water so the clothes are nearly dry when I remove them and the dryer time is half of what my old standard dryers used to take to completely dry the clothes. If I have to soak any clothing, I use my laundry tub which is right next to the appliances in my laundry room.

I had a technician adjust the door on the washer to remain ajar about an inch at all times. I believe the appliance tech set the legs so the washer sits just a hair forward so the door remains ajar just that little bit. That is all it needs to keep the air circulating in the drum.

I also use Tide washing machine cleaner granules to clean the washer when the washer "tells" me it is time to use the clean cycle. Seems like it is about every three months. I like the granules better than the tablet. Tried the tablet but it makes a really loud noise until it devolves.

My washer has never had a foul odor and I've been using this Whirlpool washer for four years that I'm here full time and for three years prior to that for three months a year as a seasonal resident in this home.

Read your

We had the same problem after me moved into our house in November last year. I found this solution on Pinterest and it worked. 10 Genius Tips to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine (Fast + Easy)
I couldn’t believe the dirt that came loose and it totally eliminated the smells. Very simple and uses vinegar and baking soda!!! No problem since

GE was the only washer (top load) I could find that I could select a water level. I always select 1 level higher than the load. Use minimum amount of detergent. Repairman I had for the dryer also showed me that you have to select the rinse for fabric softener (even if you don't use it) or whatever "extra rinse" the washer has, otherwise you don't get a full rinse--you get a spray rinse. If you don't use the washer often (I do a load almost every-other day), then allowing the washer to dry out helps. Water-saving government regulations plus a younger generation who throws a load in and leaves are the culprit. I like to shorten the spin if I can.

If it is a front loader check the rubber gasket/seal in the opening. You may have to pull it open a little. We run a towel around the gasket after use and also on the door, then leave the door slightly ajar until dry. I cleaned the washer filter last year. In 2 years we have not had an odor problem.

Leave the door open if it’s a front loader. There is an odor if you keep the door closed.

We had the same problem until we started using the clean cycle for the washing machine once a month odor is gone now.

If it is a front loader machine, don't ever close the door except when running a wash cycle. The inside needs to be given a chance to dry out.

I have a 3 year old washer and dryer ... front loading. Never had any odor at all. I have a habit of leaving the washer door open after using, and I do check inside the door gasket, and once in a while wipe it out (and pick up pocket change now and then). I also remove the detergent/bleach/softener tray a few times a year and I wash it out, as it does tend to get crud buildup over time.

BTW I don't have a water softener for the house, but do have a dual water filter .. pleated paper and charcoal filters. Maybe that has something to do with it.

The newer washers that are called high efficiency Store a little water in the bottom that doesn’t empty out when you are through washing. That’s why it is recommended that you run a clean cycle periodically. My washer has an actual button for the clean cycle and the instruction manual Says to put a cup of bleach in for the cycle. Every manufacturer has their own instructions so I suggest your friend read the manual for her’s.

Soon afterI bought the washer I went out of town for a month. I forgot about the clean cycle when I came back and did a load of laundry and the clothes smelled terrible .Once I ran the clean cycle and then rewash the clothes it was fine.

Also with a high-efficiency washer it is important to use only high efficiency detergent or over sudsing and damage to the machine can result.

I had something similar and my machine was less than a year old. My husband stripped down the filters and , while they were clean, there was some trapped water that smelled. We’ll do that more often to avoid a repeat. Also, Borax helps keep the pipes clean.