My washing machine smells like mold. I have tried tons of vinegar. It didn't help. Then I tried bleach and it was much better for a few days and then the smell came back. Then I let it sit with bleach for 1/2 the day and again it was better and then the smell came back.
We left for a weekend and I forgot a load of laundry, but that was months ago and the smell didn't start until a few months later. I will admit that I leave laundry overnight in the washer a lot. But, I've done that in the past and it never seemed to cause a problem before (except for more wrinkles!)
Any other suggestions?
By the way it's a top loader!
Leave the door open, it allows the interior to dry so there is no smell...you would think they could come up with a better idea...
We have a front loader and were told that this a common problem. We had Maytag come out a replace the rubber ring around the washer, don't know what it's called. He said to occassionally run it with bleach, as you have. However, the smell came back. My husband found these big tablet things that actually work! You run it with them maybe once a month or whenever you notice the smell coming back. I think he got them at Best Buy of all places, they are called Affresh and come in a bag type thing. I'd definitely reccomend them!!!
Is it a front loader?If so we have had this problem with ours and you have to run a sanitary cycle with bleach.....keep your asher door open to dry out
P.- Do you have a front load machine?
I also have a stinky washing machine. A front load LG. I did a search to find out how to fix it. There are many ideas but the only way I resolved the problem was to call the manufacturer. There should be a technical support person who will talk you through how to fix it. There was a small hose in the machine that the water sits in and is really a major source of the problem. There is also a rubber rim that you should wipe with hot water and bleach (at least that is what I did). Also, they informed me (after my machine stopped working) I was supposed to be using High Efficiency detergent.
If you don't have a front load, ignore my entire post. LOL
Good Luck.
S.
My washer tends to smell moldy too and I only once in a blue moon leave a load in for an extended pd. of time. To fix it I just leave the door open between loads. I found if I just let it air dry the smell goes away completely. If I keep the door shut between loads, it stays moist inside and starts to smell again.
It is definately the rubber ring around the tub. Pull it back after each load and check for socks, etc. they always get stuck in there! assuming it's a front loader. But baking soda ran through once in a while helps. I've had this problem too and that helped.
A.
Do you have a front loader or a top loader. I have the same issue with my front loader. Yes the bleach helps for a bit. I find water tends to lay in the door seal and in the detergent compartment. I have to leave the door open to keep the smell under control. I have heard this is the case with front loaders. For a top loader, I am not sure what would cause the odor. Just make sure the lint is cleaned out and leave the lid open between loads if you can.
I've heard that you should leave the lid open on a washer as much as possible when not in use. Other than bleach and vinegar, I don't know what else you could try.
There is stuff I bought at the pet store called Nature's Miracle for when my dog got skunked and if it could get rid of skunk smell it might be worth a try.....it's all natural so I don't think it would hurt anything.
Also, maybe try calling a local appliance repair place and see if they can tell you anything....
I went online and googled "stinky washing machine" and an article came up that suggest using a product called Smelly Washer. I guess this a very commen problem. You can find it at www.smellywasher.com Hope it helps!
Hi P.,
I doubt it is because you leave laundry in overnight, I used to always thow a load in befor going to bed and them put it in the dryer in the morning. ('m now in an apartment where I have to go downsstairs to do my laundry).
I would try baking soda. The first time use 2 boxes and hot water, let it sit overnight. Then everytime you do laundry add 1/2 a cup to the wash water (or at least the last load if you are doing several in one day), it should keep the washer from not stinking and remove oders from you clothing as well
Sorry, sounds yucky. Call an appliance repair person - Dan ###-###-####. I use him and recommend him to our customers (work for General Contractor). If he can't fix then you probably need a new one.
I would try not to leave laundry so you do not get mold on your clothes. probably from leaving the clothes in the washer over a period of time has created mold and may have seeped in the washing machine. i would try some simple green. dilute it with water and let it sit for a few hours in the machine. i hope it works.
Is it a front loader? We just moved into a new home and they have a front loader and it is a bit stinky as well. We had someone come out to fix it and they said that you have to maintain it and run a bleach cycle once a week. You also have to clean out the gasket all the time, leave the door open all the time. I miss my old top loader machine!!
Oh my gosh!!! I've been having the same exact problem for a couple of months too! Do you have a front loader or a top loader? I have a front loader. I smelled that smell this morning as I was switching the clothes out. I don't know what possessed me but there is a rubber ring or flap around the opening of the washer, and I pulled it open and found 5 or 5 stray socks in there that have obviously been stuck in there for quite some time. They were soaking wet and had that moldy smell. I took them out, but I haven't been back there since. I'm hoping that that's what the problem was! Let me know how it turns out for you!!!
E.
leave the door open between washing.
Go to Lowe's or the Home Depot and buy the new cleaner that Whirlpool has just come out with for Front loaders.
It's called AFFRESH. This is a great product! I just got some the other week and my washer is stick free! If you've had your washer for awhile(I've had mine 4yrs) then you may want to get a couple of bags. You get 3 large circular tablets that if it's been awhile or never been cleaned they say to put them all into your washer. Then use one tablet a month to maintain the machine. They cost $6.99/bag
hth
Do you know how there's the wash tub inside that you put your clothes in, and then there's another one outside of that ? Well, sometimes, socks and things like that land in the outside tub, and they get wet and mildewy, and they smell. Plus you could have some yucky water that sits in that outer tub. If your husband can do it, have him pull the inside tub out, and then you guys can clean the other one. that'll clean it up just like new !
Did you try Borac acid? Sounds scary, but it is actually a natural odor eliminator. I bought the powder and used it for the same problem. Then I followed up with vinegar. Seems to have cleared up!
Hi P., I was having the same problem a few months ago. What kind of detergent are you using? I think that might have played a part in my problem, maybe it was just a coincidence. I tried vinegar also and it would work for a few days then our clothes would smell again. I changed my detergent to something that really smells good (sounds weird but) I also used Febreeze odor eliminator( I can only find this at Walmart). I put them both in when I washed. Then I got a bottle of washer magic. It's in a small bottle and you run it through. I don't know what happened but it stopped. I even went as far as washing out the washer with lysol, I sprayed it with Lysol, etc. My husband just wanted to get a new washing machine and I wasn't willing to give up. I hope this worked for you. Good luck!! It is very frustrating.
