My washing machine smells bad

[tink_n_pooh]

As some of you may know, DH & I recently purchased our first home

Along with the house came a front loading washer & gas dryer. I think these are probably the smallest washer and dryer I have ever seen in my life but that isn't the immediate problem. The washer is a front loader, I don't think it's HE since I don't see any HE markings on it. The washer seems to have a stank to it, sorta like a fish tank or some other yucky stale stanky ick. I noticed there is some icky film on the rubber part between the door and the tub so I cleaned that, it still stinks.

I read on some thrifty fun website that maybe I shouldn't be using liquid detergent since it can build up in the washer but I remember someone else telling me to only use liquid (I think it was the septic guy) because the powder never totally dissolves

I'm running a load full of bleach on the hot cycle right now to try to get rid of the stinky stuff, we will see how it works.

What do y'all think? Should I switch to powdered detergent? Try something else? Help, please

 

[Jestocost]

Many older front loading washers had problems with water staying around the door and in the seals, which resulted in mold and other issues. The newer models aren't immune from those problems, but if you make a habit of drying off the door and around the seals on the washer, then leaving the door open when you are done you can pretty much eliminate the problem. I'm not sure of the best method for getting rid of the problem once it's happened, however.

Also, most front loading washers require the use of special low sudsing laundry detergents instead of regular detergent. If yours is one of those and has been used with regular detergent all along, that could have created some problems as well.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Some detergent manufactures are now making a cleaning agent for front loaders(I have seen them by the washers at HomeDepot), you might want to try those. I agree with the PP about useing a low sudsing soap, probably an HE even if you don't have an HE machine.

 

[dchi]

I hope the bleach works. After the bleach run through i would maybe wipe it out with white vinegar...or maybe run some vinegar though a cycle. If those 2 things did not work and it was my washer, I would purchase a new washer.

 

[luvdzne]

Try using vinegar to clean it out. I pour a good amount in all little compartments (detergent, bleach and softener). I would say I probably use a good 2 cups or so when it's really stinky. Then run it empty (or you can do towels if you want) on hot. You may need to do it a couple of times but it will help to dissolve build up. I also do the same thing with bleach if I think there is mold build up.

Also if the detergent compartment comes out take it out and clean inside. Mold will build up in there. If you have mold on the seal around the door take a old rag and soak it in bleach and lay it around the seal where the mold is.

 

[CathrynRose]

When I talk to my husband today, Ill ask him.

Him and his brother own an appliance repair place and he does appliance repair. I actually recall him mentioning this to me, but I dont remember what he said can be done about it.

He gets into this weird appliance repair mode and is excited to tell me about his calls and what he did, etc etc... I kinda just nod and smile.

Let me ask him. Do you know what kind it is? Or the model #? He's like a walking computer of machines and their issues / causes / resolutions.

 

[asta]

I would always use a HE (high efficiency) detergent. That will help prevent smells from developing. For a machine that already smells, use "Whirl Out". I found this at Home Depot. It is a powder made to clean whirlpool tubs but works for a front loading machine.

In addition to mildew around the front rubber gasket, the bad odor comes from soap residue that builds up internally around the washing tub. You have to use some type of product to clean this out. I don't think that bleach will do the job.

 

[mickeyboat]

We had smell problems with ours, too.

It was recommended to me to lift the seal (on the wash tub itself, not the door), and inside I found some little kid socks. Boy they smelled.

I check the seal every once in a while, and leave the door cracked when I am not using the machine, to let it air dry.

No more smell.

Good luck.

Denae

 

[CathrynRose]

Okay - I talked to Jimmy.

He said you need to check your drain. Anytime he see's (smells) that, it's the water not draining out properly and backing back up into the tub, or even just the drain itself, and sitting there, stagnant.

He said also check the (he called it something else but...) the drain pipe thing - make sure it's not like a big U shape going upwards, because if it is, that little bit of water at the bottom of it will cause the funky smell.

He said when it's left too long, people's whole house can smell from the itty bitty stanky water.

HTH.

 

[EthansMom]

Front loaders do need the HE detergent.

Also, mold is a problem in front loaders. Front loaders seal completely airtight when they are closed. So any water leftover from running a load can't evaporate off and stays in the tumbler if you close the door inbetween loads. I just leave the door of my washing machine ajar when it's not in use.

 

[trip]

Like others have suggested - the only cure is to leave the door open.

 

[mjkacmom]

You have to use HE detergent and keep the door open when not in use.

 

[dchi]

Hearing all of this makes me glad I have a top loader washing machine. Before this I had never heard of HE detergent or stinky washing machines.

 

[malibuconlee]

Many older front loading washers had problems with water staying around the door and in the seals, which resulted in mold and other issues. The newer models aren't immune from those problems, but if you make a habit of drying off the door and around the seals on the washer, then leaving the door open when you are done you can pretty much eliminate the problem. I'm not sure of the best method for getting rid of the problem once it's happened, however.

Also, most front loading washers require the use of special low sudsing laundry detergents instead of regular detergent. If yours is one of those and has been used with regular detergent all along, that could have created some problems as well.

I have to leave the door open on mine when not in use or it starts to smell because of the water around the seal. It's only 3 years old.

 

[drivencrazy]

Mine has a cycle to clean it as well. When it starts to stink I will run it empty on that cycle and it seems to help pretty well. Does yours have a clean cycle?

I always leave the door open on ours, it use to drive the hubby bonkers as it is in our "guest bathroom" but it beets it smelling. I also leave the soap tray out to dry after washing.

Hope you figure it out... how do your clothes smell after washing in there?

 

[EthansMom]

Hearing all of this makes me glad I have a top loader washing machine. Before this I had never heard of HE detergent or stinky washing machines.

Aaah, but the front loader gets my clothes sooooooo much cleaner than the top loader ever did. And they come out so much drier from the spin cycle which has had a dramatic impact on my dryer use.

It's not that much of a hassle to use HE detergent and leave the door open. Well worth it for the decrease in my electric bill and better cleaning performance.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

Thanks everyone

When DH gets back later on I will have him assist me with checking the drain, I'm pretty good with those things but I don't wanna hear "why didn't you wait for me"

I'm also going to run out to the grocery store to get some lunch so I will also pick up some HE detergent as well. I have been using some detergent that someone gave me at my bridal shower two years ago We lived with my in-laws since then so I never really got to use my stuff before.

Right now it smells fine since I did the bleach wash but I'm not sure how it will be later on today. I also try to leave the door open but DH keeps closing it on me

I'm going to get that stuff from home depot too, I guess it can't hurt and we are at home depot at least once a day anyway

ETA: The clothes smell fine, good actually, when the come out of the washer and dryer, its just when it sits for awhile that it seems to smell

 

[trip]

Your drain is probably fine. It's just that all of the water never drains out of a washer at the end of the cycle - either a top or front loader. If you ever have moved a washer, you most likely had some water drain out on the floor. The seal on the front loaders are so tight, unlike top loaders, because they need to be. It doesn't take long for that "trapped" water to smell.

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't have a front-loader, and having heard about the mildew issues I won't be getting one, because I can't leave the door open. Why not?
I'm afraid that would stink a WHOLE lot worse!

A couple of months ago DH accidentally left the empty dryer's door open and the cat decided that it would make a very nice litter box. Thank God I saw the puddle of urine before I put a new load in and ran it, but it was a bear to clean out sufficiently. If it had happened to a washer with a perforated drum we would have been toast. Having done it once, the cat now keeps trying to get back into that dryer again, and I'm not taking any chances, so no front-loader in our house, LOL.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

I would always use a HE (high efficiency) detergent. That will help prevent smells from developing. For a machine that already smells, use "Whirl Out". I found this at Home Depot. It is a powder made to clean whirlpool tubs but works for a front loading machine.

In addition to mildew around the front rubber gasket, the bad odor comes from soap residue that builds up internally around the washing tub. You have to use some type of product to clean this out. I don't think that bleach will do the job.

This happened to us last year. We used Whirl Out and have not had a problem since.