Need Help with Musty Smell in My Washing Machine

This happened to me while using Tide. I changed detergents and it went away...good luck..it is awful to deal with!

J.

A friend of mine just gave me some of her eucalyptus oil to put in my front loader(about a capful where the bleach would normally go). I have used it for each load I have done, and it really does take the smell away. It is a very strong smell so you have to like the way eucalyptus smells. It is not strong on the clothing though. In fact I can hardly smell it on the clothes, but it makes the whole laundry room smell good.

2 cops of vinegar thru the wash cycle will do the job.

I just bought a new washer a couple of months ago and the guy at the store told me to always keep the lid closed to keep out the mildew. In the past I had always left it open- I thought to air it out- but he said for the top loader I had, they recommend it. I hope you find your solution!

Hi. T.

My mom told me years ago, to pour 16 oz of Baking Soda (1 Box) in the washer and run it through a gently cycle. It should take the musty smell away.

To save money when its time to replace the box of baking soda in the refrigerator(every three months) I use that box in the washer. That way I'm cleaning my washer at least 4 times a year.

L. D

I had that bad musty smell in my top-load washing machine as well and it even the laundry room started to smell strange. I finally found that it was the cup at the top of the agitator that holds the liquid fabric softner. I never use liquid fabric softner but the cup had tons of detergent residue and grime and it smelled really bad. Once I cleaned it out, the bad smells went away. Hope that helps!

I had this happen a long time ago. I placed an open box of baking soda inside when it was empty. I figured if it works in refrigerators and freezers for odors, why not washing machines! it took care of the issue. I also leave the lid up when not in use.

Try cleaning out the automatic fabric softener dispenser. Mine comes out and can be partially taken apart. Soak it in HOT water. I then fill it with hot water and use my hands to cover the top and bottom and shake it vigourously to dislodge the build-up from the places you can't get to. Repeat several times.

I hope that helps!

I agree with running a load with vinegar. Then consider adding a cup of Oxi-clean to ever load you wash. Helps clean your clothes and helps keep you washer fresh. For heavy stains let items set in oxi-clean soak before washing. My husbands hats get so dirty out on the job sites but I soak them in oxi-clean and warm water then wash they come out like new.

S.

The guy who came to repair mine told me running an empty load with dishwasher soap takes the musty smell out.

Not sure if this will help but my neighbor had mentioned to me that she adds a scoop of oxiclean to her loads of laundry and this prevents the musty smell from getting into her clothes on those occasions where she forgets to add them to the dryer in a reasonable time. I have been doing this (even use Jewel's generic version of oxiclean) and it definitely helps. So maybe it would remove the smell from your washer. It might be worth a try. Good Luck!

Do you have a front load washer?

Check out the websites: www.smellywasher.com or www.affresh.com.

Good luck!

We just bought a front loader and ABT gave us a package of tablets to run through the machine when it gets musty. They said once a month maybe. I think they were called Affresh. I'm out and I keep meaning to look at Target, you may need to go to an apppliance store, but I'm not certain.

Have you tried vinegar. I use it once a month and I havent had any problems and my machine is around 9yrs old . Oh and its inexpensive.

Your machine might not be emptying out completely and there could be old water in the part that goes into the hose.

www.smellywasher.com
it really works!

I just had the same problem and I bought a product by Tide. You can find it at Target in the laundry aisle. It is a washing machine cleaner that does an amazing job! It is in a small orange box. I hope that helps:)

Our washer did this, and after trying to re-wash several loads of stinky clothes, I was fed up and was determined to find the cause. We have a washer with the fabric softener dispenser on the spindle - I pried the dispenser off the spindle, and lo-and-behold there was a ton of mildew all along the inside. I cleaned it out, ran an empty load on hot with ammonia, and the stink went away.
The mildew builds up again from time to time, so I just clean it out again when it starts to get smelly. And others are right - a cup of ammonia added to a wash gets smells out. Just don't use bleach or OxyClean in the same load!

Hi T.,
I use Tide washer cleaner. It is in the laundry aisle at target. It works for both front and top loading washers. I have used it in my front loader and it has made a huge difference!
Good luck

Tide makes a washing machine cleaner. You can also try running a cycle with just plain distilled vinegar.

I have a "Who Knew 2" book and desk calendar and they said if your clothes or washer get the musty smell use ammonia (I forgot the quantity but I would assume a cup would do it) with your wash.

Good luck!

Did you check the lint filter in the wash machine? Lint can accumulate under the agitator which unscrews from the bottom. After removing that I would dissolve baking soda or baking powder in a tub af water and let that machine soak to absorbe it for half a day. Then add a little laundry soap and let the cycles continue.

Have you cleaned out the filter? Mine has a filter that collects cloth particles - it is near the top - it can smell bad after time - let wet, old, musty clothes if you don't clean it out.

M. in Elk Grove Vlg.

Rune 2 cups of white vinegar through a full cycle. Do not wash any clothes. Just vinegar and a full tub of water. Worked for me.
Barb R.

they sell cleaning tabs through sears.

I had the same problem and tried bleach, vinegar, and some other odor removal products and nothing worked. I read on here about smellywasher.com and thought it couldn't hurt to try it. IT WORKS GREAT! I really recommend it.

Good luck!

Hi T. M,

Have you tried just plain vinager, let it go through the whole cycle. let me know how it turned out