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LockedFront load washer smell

posted on August 08, 2009 at 07:06AM Inappropriate?

Has anyone bought a front loading washer and found that if you dco not take the clothes out immediately, your washer smells ? Well, I have the GE front loading washer and have had that happen to me. I took the front panel off the bottom and cleaned out the the catch all drain and found that to help, but, I believe there is a deeper underlying problem. I now keep my washer door open afer a wash is done to air dry it out before closing it up. I have tried the products on the market that have you put the tablets in and run 2-3 washes, but they have not helped. If anyone has any comments, suggestions or otherwise advice as to how to remedy that situation, I am up for trying just about anything. It is a shame, because my regular washer never did that this, and I have forgotten to take the clothes out and left them in overnight. You definitely cannot do that with a front loading machine.

replies: 10 latest post: August 12, 2009 at 09:02AM by BlueCrewPatrick
Displaying all 10 posts
posted on August 08, 2009 at 09:05AM
 

No, you cant leave your clothes in.  Front loaders are great BUT they are different than your old washer and you should have been told that when you bought it.  You do need to keep the door open if you can (especially in the summer) and wipe the door seals when you can to keep mold and mildew from growing.  Do that and use Affresh every month or so and you will fine.

posted on August 08, 2009 at 10:35AM
 

Agreed Bodyguard, front load washers do not allow for leaving clothes in them for any length of time after the wash cycle.  Maytag got sued for mold problems on their Neptune front load washers in a class action lawsuit.  I have the Kenmore 4T washer and I make sure I leave it open at all times when not in use.  The Maytag Neptune I had before this Kenmore was a disaster, and I will not repeat that mistake!  At least Kenmore told the user to leave the door open!

posted on August 08, 2009 at 11:07AM
 
In response to Change4Better's post from August 08 2009 07:06AM

I have the same problem, only I have a top loading washer.  I have tried everything to get rid of the smell.  I even used hylex in a wash with no clothes in the washer, thinking that could cure the smell.  The first load is the worse and the next load the snekk us a little fainter.  Don't know what I can do, but to buy another washer, when this one is working perfectly well.

posted on August 08, 2009 at 01:30PM
 

The worse smell could be some of whatever built up breaking apart. Try baking soda in each load seemed to help with my old calypso.

posted on August 08, 2009 at 03:57PM
 

Smells from clothes left in a washer are from bacteria growing in the clothes. Clothes should be dried as soon as possible after washing. Whirlpool's new front-load washers have a new feature called "TumbleFresh" that keeps the clothes moving every once in a while to prevent stagnation, which prevents bacterial growth. This problem happens in all washing machines.

A more general bit of advice: do not leave your washer closed after you're finished. Trapping moisture in a dark warm place will assuredly result in bacterial growth, mold, and mildew, regardless of the type of washer you have. Leave the washer open to dry, and maintain it with a product like Washer Magic or Affresh to eliminate detergent residues (or, use Oxi-Clean or similar products regularly).

posted on August 08, 2009 at 10:37PM
 

I have been told by one of my friends who is an appliance serviceman for a very reputable company, to stay away from front loading washers. None of the companys maufacturing these have found a solution to there problem. So why buy a problem.Ill live with old and reliable.

posted on August 09, 2009 at 08:59AM
 

Welcome to the world of "green".  This problem is occuring in all washing machines now.  And it is because "PHOSPHATES" have been removed from laundry detergent.  We have a brand new Haier top load washer the kind without an aggitator.  Have the same problem.  My wife recently bought this new washing machine cleaner made by TIDE and it works great.  We used to be able to leave clothes in the washer for a day or two, but not anymore.  Anyway try the TIDE washing machine cleaner, we did it about 3 weeks ago and now the smell is gone. and when the washer has finished it's cycle leave the door open. It might be easier to do with a top load than a front load but that's what we do. 

posted on August 09, 2009 at 11:45AM
 

Read the instruction manual and it will let you know when and how to maintain it.  I clean my washer on a regular basis using affresh tablets.  I have yet to smell any mold or mildew in my unit and its 3 years old.

posted on August 09, 2009 at 12:21PM
 

I have had the same problem as has my mother with our front load washers. Leaving the door open or at least ajar so that it can dry out and give mold a less hospitable environment has been the biggest help.

posted on August 12, 2009 at 09:02AM
 

My question is, why are you even considering starting the laundry if you aren't going to have time to finish it?

Also, you stated that you have used th products on the market (ie Affresh) for 2 or 3 loads.  Please note that the instructions on the product itself state that if there is already a problem, then it may take a while to be effective.  I would recommend running a load of baking soda, just as you would the cleaning tablet.  Maybe try that a few times, THEN switch to the cleaning tablets for the monthly use.

Hope this helps.

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