Front Loading Washer

You can buy a "wash" for the washer, but i discovered if you keep the washer door open in between washes ( assuming you dont have a little one to worry about climbing in) it doesn't get that smell.

Yes, that happens with mine also. The first step is to always leave the door open after a wash. If you close it, the mildew will grow. Also, I put some vinegar in my wash as a fabric softener with a few drops of essential oil. It takes care of any mildew smell that might be there. Also, it helps get rid of that icky towel smell that sometimes happens.

No, I was told to never, ever close the door. If you do, mold will grow on the rubber.

I've had this front loader for 2 years and the one before that for 6 and never had a mildew type odor. I also never close the door unless there is a load washing. The door has to be open at least an inch or two to allow the residual water to evaporate. I leave my door wide open for several hours and then just leave it open a couple of inches.

We've had our front loader for about 4 yrs and noticed the mildewy smell more so in the summers. When I wash towels I wash them with vinegar and it has helped the smell go a way. Just put 1/2 cup of vinegar to your laod of towels (I put it in the bleach pocket, since I don't use bleach often) whenever you wash towels. We also leave the door ajar when not in use. Good luck and God Bless.

I don't have this problem with our front loader but have heard it's a common problem in more humid climates than ours - the seal around the door doesn't dry out and attracts mildew.
You could google "Front loader mildew" for more suggestions on how to resolve the problem, here's one article http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Mold-Smell-in-Front-Loa...

I have a front loader but no bad mildew smell... yet. If it ever starts to smell funny I'll use the "clean washer" feature. There's a selection on the front of my washer to clean the washing machine with only bleach. You don't put in any clothes and select the clean washer option with the specified amount of bleach in the bleach tray and let her rip.

Sometimes if a load gets left in there for some reason.

The way to prevent it, don't leave wet clothes in there for any length of time and leave the door open between loads.

The way to get rid of it, run a basket clean cycle on "sanitize" heat if you have it with about two cups of white vinegar instead of bleach. Set it for an extra rinse. When the cycle is complete then open the door, sop up any remaining moisture you can get at with a towel that you toss in the dryer and allow to air dry completely (for at least a day) before using it again.

Best of luck!

need to leave it open when not in use.

I work at a school where we do at least 6-10 loads of laundry a day. I was told by a washer expert to run a hot load (with bleach is better) once a day and to leave the door open. So, that's what we do.

Yes, yes, yes! We had a LG set, and could not figure this one out! No one could offer us suggestions other than to use clean cycle once a week and to take a towel/washcloth right before putting it in and whip the inside of the door seal to get out any trapped water. Also, make sure you are draining the water that gets left in the little hose often (don't remember exact name). Then after all that never close the door all the way if you aren't washing a load! Good luck!

I read the instructions when I bought my front loader as using one of those is very different from top loaders. To prevent mildew and the smell all you have to do is soak up the water that is sitting in the seal at the end of each load, AND leave the door open until it completely dries (about 24 hours). After that, I close the door. The instructions also tell you to use the clean cycle (requires bleach) on a regular basis. If you don't have the instructions, you can probably google them, and print the pdf file of the instructions for your machine.

Hi,

I have a front-loading machine and have experienced this if I left clothes in too long. I've purchased the Tide Washing Machine Cleaner product and it works well. It's also available for HE machines too.

http://www.tide.com/en-US/product/tide-washing-machine-cl...

I don't, but my mom and sister do. They leave the washer door open and put in a dryer sheet while not in use:)

Does your washer have a "cleaning cycle?" My LG does. If not, try filling your bleach dispenser and running an extra long, hot water cycle. You will also need to clean the rubber gasket. There are also products available in the laundry detergent aisle for cleaning/deodorizing your washer. Make sure you are using HE detergent. I also leave my washer door ajar between cycles.

Hi B.,
I have a front loading washer and in the summer it will tend to get a bad odor. It is humid where I live and I assume in Springfield it does too. I found Clorox washing machine cleaner at Walmart for around 4 dollars. It is a 3 use bottle. I have used it once and all the odor is gone. That was about 3 weeks ago. I also don't shut the door in the summer and it seems to work. I don't leave the door all the way open I just don't latch it.

Yes!! The best thing I am doing is washing the clothes with hot water and taking them directly out of washer when it is done. Leave the door to the washer open when you are not using it, and wipe off the door and rubber around the door when it is done washing. Also every month or before, use one of those cleaner tablets, you can get them at Lowes I'm sure other places too, they take care of the mildew inside the washer also.

Mine says to wipe out the rubber gasket because stuff gets caught in it & grows. I always leave my door open & I use vinegar instead of fabric softner.
As some have said you may need to run an empty load with bleach & hot water.
I only have a problem when I have to door closed & with mine the smell is resolved when i leave the door open all the time. I've never had to bleach mine.

God bless!

I wanted to add that we never shut ours, either. I have three little ones (4, 2, and 1), so I got a child lock for it. It keeps it shut when it's shut, and it keeps them from being able to shut it when it's open, too. That way I can leave the door open without worrying about one of them climbing in and the other one turning it on. It came from Babies R Us, I think. It's on the side, and it swings over to lock the door open or shut.

I have had problem with bad odor in my front loading washer. After doing a lot of online research, I learned that the liquid HE detergent and fabric softeners that I was using tended to leave a residue in the washer and many times that was the cause of the smell. I bought powder detergent and ran several loads of whites and towels on the hottest water setting with bleach or vinegar to get rid of the residue. I have not had a problem since. I also leave the door open between loads to help dry things out.

You will also need to check the drain clean out because it will have the smelly water in it. Check your owner's manual to see where it is. Mine in in the front of the machine under the door. We had to remove the panel to get to it..

Good luck