Bad smell in wash machine, help!

[Albertan mom]

I heard that those orange stains are actually bacteria. I notice orange stains occasionally on our shower floor. I use VIM and a scrubber. And in the dogs water dish there is sometimes orange too!
Going to do the vinegar in the washer right now!

 

[ducklite]

I have a Whirlpool Duet front loader. A little water collects in the rubber seal on the front, but I just leave the door slightly ajar when I'm not using it so the water can absorb and I've not had any odor problem.

Anne

 

[Martha7]

I used the vinegar in the washer yesterday, and the odor is much fainter, so thanks for the tip! I'm going to try the Magic Eraser in the tub for the orange staining, and I'll report back with the results. I bet the stain is more of a bacteria, since I'm only seeing it in that tub, where our two teenage boys shower. We do have rust in the water, but also have one of those rust eliminating systems, which treats the water in the whole house. Thanks everyone for the ideas!

 

[OhioTony]

Sounds like the OP has more of a plumbing problem than a washer problem. For all u smelly front loader owners..Whirlpool recomends using 1/2 cup "granular" dishwashing detergent & 1/2 cup bleach..pour directly into machine (with no cloths) & run the hottest setting possible..Whites setting usualy..for some strange reason ft loader owners "refuse" to use HE detergent & using smaller portions of "regular" detergent cuts down on the "enzyme" cleanability of the machine & "nasty residue" builds up, causing oders!! The bleach kills any "live" bacteria & the DW detergent stays "gritty" & scrapes the GOO from the plastic tub..then USE THE "HE" DETERGENT!!! Yes it's more expensive..but u have a 1,000 wash machine that uses LESS water.

Oh! & good luck to the OP on thier issue as well!

 

[Albertan mom]

Sounds like the OP has more of a plumbing problem than a washer problem. For all u smelly front loader owners..Whirlpool recomends using 1/2 cup "granular" dishwashing detergent & 1/2 cup bleach..pour directly into machine (with no cloths) & run the hottest setting possible..Whites setting usualy..for some strange reason ft loader owners "refuse" to use HE detergent & using smaller portions of "regular" detergent cuts down on the "enzyme" cleanability of the machine & "nasty residue" builds up, causing oders!! The bleach kills any "live" bacteria & the DW detergent stays "gritty" & scrapes the GOO from the plastic tub..then USE THE "HE" DETERGENT!!! Yes it's more expensive..but u have a 1,000 wash machine that uses LESS water.

Oh! & good luck to the OP on thier issue as well!

You say granular 'dishwashing' detergent? Not granular laundry detergent? I use the HE liquid detergent all the time. So it can't be buildup of powder soap. hmmmmmm. The actual tub of my washer has no mess on it. Looks totally clean. The smell comes from the front, where the seal is, below that.

I did the vinegar trick yesterday....unfortunately, it didn't work. It still smells. Kind of like a smelly swamp.

 

[Disney Doll]

Mine starts to smell musty if I leave the lid down. Try running a load with baking soda.

 

[OhioTony]

I DID say DISHWASHING detergent..The METAL "tub" you put clothes in, is actually the "basket" that spins INSIDE a plastic tub that holds the water! The whole assembly is at an angle & your clothes are "dragged" through the amount of water in the TUB! Picture a BATHTUB that NEVER gets cleaned..Can u imagine the SCUM RING above the water line! EVERY wash machine gets this build-up..the DW detergent DOES-NOT dissolve immediatly & creates a "grit" solution that esentailly "scrapes" this stuff of the plastic tub, then gets washed down the drain!..SORRY if I'm GROSSING you out! But I'm jus TELLIN U THE FACTS!

PS... top loaders get the Scumline too But CANNOT be cleaned in this manner so you are 1 up!

Hope I helped!

 

[dianeschlicht]

For those of you who have this problem with the Maytag Neptune...If your machine is one of the first ones from 2000, you might want to contact the dealer. They have an after market fix that replaces the gasket with one that drains. We actually got a recall notice on ours to have that replaced, and it took care of the problem. The other thing is to make sure you are wiping out around the rubber gasket about once a month. The buildup of residue in there can cause that too.

 

[Martha7]

The Magic Eraser helped a bit, but my Dh said that he'll try to clean the bathtub with some CLR cleaner. I'll report back if it helps. I'm also going to try to clean around the rubber gasket. Isn't it great to have a place to come for help with all of life's strange little problems? Thanks, everyone!

 

[Albertan mom]

I went on the Maytag site, and they suggested bleach. So I put in 2 cups of bleach. All over the tub, soap holder, bleach holder.
It helped a bit, but still has the smell. AHHHHHH!

 

[sandramaac]

I would try putting some bottled lemon juice mixed with baking soda in a load of warm to hot water. I hesitate to say use all hot water totally because some times hot sets the smell in more. I would let it sit in there for a while. Also as it goes throiught the rinse portion, I would then use some of the OxyClean powder.

Hope this helps. Hey Manty---are you a figure skating coach---my dd is a figure skater out of the University of Delaware.

 

[sandramaac]

Hey Manty, I do see your a figure skating coach. As I said my dd is a skater out of the University of Delaware. She trains with Ron Ludington, has Tiffany Scott for moves and Jeff Merica for stroking and jumps. She got a little bit of a later start, but they are turning a ton of cycles on her cause Mr. Ludington seem to think she has the 'it' factor. She has loads of talent, as has progressed so quickly. We are just try to get her all double jumps down in order to make the deadline to skate juv. at 12yo at sectionals. She is working at the University 6 hours a day, everyday this summer. She is so self-motivated. We are just, in a way along for the ride with her, trying to be supportive. It has been pretty exciting for her because Kimmie Miessner is there, and also Sara Hughes and Tim Goebel are also there this summer. Anyway, love to chat with you more.

And good luck with the washer

 

[mantysk8coach]

Thanks again for the advice everyone. I've been leaving the cover open in between loads, and that seems to be helping. Maybe with the heat and humidity, it just never has a chance totally dry, and that's whats causing the nasty smell.

sandramaac, I just PM'd you back