Washing your HE Washing Machine

[Suellen]

Anyone try that cleaner that Tide put out?

Does it work?

Any other tips for washing the washing machine?

I've read that you should leave it open between loads... but where ours is positioned it would be really hard to do that... actually impossible.

I'm running it through with an empty drum and just bleach in the detergent receptacle..... but I'm doubtful it will completely get rid of that old water smell.

So any tips?

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I really like the Tide cleaner, but then again I am able to keep the door open and don't have a problem with the smell.

I also use powdered bleach in the wash and vinegar in the rinse occasionally, so I am not sure how much those two help.

It would probably be worth it to get a box and give it try! hope you find something that works for you!

 

[dzorn]

I dump a whole gallon of vinegar and start a load on the longest hottest setting. After the door locks and the washer fills I add 2 more gallons slowly throught the detergent drawer. This will help get the stuff that is usually right at the water line.

I have also switched to powdered detergent as the liquid can build up where it goes in. This was reccomended to me after a service call from the repair person.

Denise in MI

 

[chamonix]

I wouldn't waste money on the Tide thing, the vinegar will work fine. Btw, I'm not able to leave mine completely open between washes either, but I do leave the door slightly ajar...meaning, not latched shut. No matter how much space you have (or don't have, lol) you should be able to do that, and it will help. With the door closed but not latched it only sticks out maybe an inch.

 

[Suellen]

I use the Purex sheets and they work wonderful....

I just used a bunch of lilac scented bleach in each of the three slots for liquid detergent, bleach and Fabric softener and ran it through the quick cycle and it does smell much, much better.... though I am not sure for how long. Also now I am worried that the load I just put in might be effected by the bleach!

I'll keep you updated!

I thought of the vinegar too... but was too lazy to go next door and get the vinegar (i was using the gallon jug next door at our rental property to clean).

 

[trip]

I don't like the smell of the product Tide puts out. I use Affresh - there was a sample included in my washer when I purchased it. Not sure what store you can get it. I order it online.

 

[Suellen]

I wouldn't waste money on the Tide thing, the vinegar will work fine. Btw, I'm not able to leave mine completely open between washes either, but I do leave the door slightly ajar...meaning, not latched shut. No matter how much space you have (or don't have, lol) you should be able to do that, and it will help. With the door closed but not latched it only sticks out maybe an inch.

The problem is the washer is in my DD's bathroom and when they open the bathroom door it bumps the door closed and latched.

I'm going to try just leaving it unlatched to see if it helps... though I suspect if you can't leave it even an inch it won't help much.

There is definitely space it's just the way the door swings... and if you've ever had a potty training 3 year old you know that it is usually an emergency trip to the bathroom which includes the bathroom door flying open not so gently. We keep the door closed when not in use for heating reasons.

 

[disneychrista]

I just put a cup of bleach in the drum itself and run the "cleaning" cycle.

 

[MrsPete]

I just put a cup of bleach in the drum itself and run the "cleaning" cycle.

Which is exactly what the manual says you should do once a month. I've done this since mine was new, and I have never had any problems with odors.

 

[Suellen]

don't think we have a "cleaning cycle" but i'll have to take a look when I am not being so lazy!

 

[ameraumi]

Pull out the manual and see if you have to hit two buttons at the same time to do the "Clean" cycle. I have the Affinity front load washer and I have to hit the spin and temp buttons to get the clean cycle to come up.

Also take an old rag and thoroughly wipe out the rubber seals with bleach water. I had to pull the seals back and noticed how much mildew had gotten in there. If you can, keep the door slightly open when you are not using it as well.

I either pour bleach directly into the drum or use the Lemi-Shine MC cleaner. I like using one of those vs Affresh or the Tide cleaner.

 

[RitaZ.]

I don't like the smell of the product Tide puts out. I use Affresh - there was a sample included in my washer when I purchased it. Not sure what store you can get it. I order it online.

I've bought it at HD, Lowe's and Target.

 

[Jennasis]

What smell? We've had our HE washer since November and haven't had any issue...yet..

 

[Aneille]

I leave my washer door open and I still get a smell.

I have used 2 products. The first worked okay but I don't remember the name but I didn't care for the smell. I bought the Tide cleaner and it worked well and I (unlike a previous poster) liked the smell. Different strokes I guess.

I have used vinegar previously and that worked but didn't have that fresh clean smell I associate with being clean.

I have used bleach in mine a few times and that worked really well but I thought you weren't supposed to use bleach in my washer. I should check the manual and see.

Honestly the bleached worked the best.

 

[disneychrista]

but I thought you weren't supposed to use bleach in my washer.

Not suppose use bleach in a clothes washer? Now that would be one I would skip buying.

 

[Suellen]

What smell? We've had our HE washer since November and haven't had any issue...yet..

Is it a top loader or a front loader?

The front loaders don't get left open in between washes like top loaders tend to.... so they start to smell mildew like. I guess to me it smells like standing, stale water.

It isn't disgusting or anything.... just ours is in our primary guest bathroom and we usually also keep the bathroom door closed as well... soooo the whole room ends up like smelling that way.

We do have a bleach bin in our washer so I am sure it is okay to use bleach in ours... which DID work BTW!

 

[Jennasis]

Is it a top loader or a front loader?

The front loaders don't get left open in between washes like top loaders tend to.... so they start to smell mildew like. I guess to me it smells like standing, stale water.

It isn't disgusting or anything.... just ours is in our primary guest bathroom and we usually also keep the bathroom door closed as well... soooo the whole room ends up like smelling that way.

We do have a bleach bin in our washer so I am sure it is okay to use bleach in ours... which DID work BTW!

Top Load. It;s a GE.

 

[Suellen]

If you leave it open between loads you should be all set then

 

[Aneille]

Not suppose use bleach in a clothes washer? Now that would be one I would skip buying.

I still haven't checked but I don't think you are supposed to. Its a Bosch Front Loader. I think you can use some sort of bleach but the real stuff. I really need to double check it. I think color safe is okay.

I don't use bleach on my clothing anyway so its not a deal breaker for me one way or the other.

A quick search on the internet did have some others with a Boch Washer specifying the manual said not to use bleach.

I need to find that manual.

 

[disneychrista]

I don't use bleach on my clothing anyway so its not a deal breaker for me one way or the other.

I don't use on my clothes but I do on towels/cleaning rags.