What causes the musty smell in my front loading washer? How can I prevent and remove this odour?

Question

The washer is a Whirlpool Duet. It is only 1 year old.

Answer 1

Hopefully by one year you mean just under a year old. Return it and get a washer with an agitator. That's what I did.

You are not alone in having this problem. Don't let anyone tell you that it's because you left clothes in washer too long, or that you don't care for your machine properly etc. These machines are defective.

http://search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&...

This is a very common problem with the front loaders and the new HE machines that don't have an agitator.

http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0ge...

If your machine is under a year old have it serviced (A formality that they require before returning a machine) then go to wherever you purchased it and return it. That's what I did. I had the same problem and there was no way I was gona get stuck with that horrible set. I bought mine at Lowes and they were great about taking them back. They picked them up delivered the new set I picked out and I got a hefty amount of money back as well because the set I got was not as expensive. And let me tell you I am a million times happier with it! I am constantly warning people not to buy them but they do it anyway and I get thumbs down for criticizing peoples beloved front loaders on here but I just continue in hopes that some will hear me and beware. You would be surprised how many people are fine with running empty loads with bleach, vinegar, etc and having to leave the doors open etc. just to have the trendiest washer set.Some even buy special products made to clean out the smell but say they would buy a front loader again in spite of it. It amazes me. I truly hope yours is under a year old. Otherwise this is going to be something that you will deal with untill you get a new set. At that time, my advice is the largest set you can find that has an agitator and is not a HE machine. Honestly if they would not have taken mine back I would have gotten rid of it and bought a new set. I could not have put up with it for years.When I wash clothes I don't expect them to be worse off than before I wash them.Good luck!

I'm not saying that having an agitator keeps away mold by the way. What I am saying is that the front loaders and the sets that they began making like the Calypso that do not have agitators and are water misers are the ones with the serious mold issues. ( The HE machines) I personally can not tell you just why that is...it just is.

Answer 2

My front loader has a bleach only cleaning cycle that I run every other week.  Like another poster stated, check the rubber ring frequently for baby socks and other weird stuff.   Most importantly, leave the door of the washer open for a few hours after you are done with the laundry.  Even if you had a washer with an agitator it would be a good idea to leave the lid open to dry it out.  And run a bleach only cycle from time to time.  The washer I had before my HE was a top loader and still had a funny smell.

I recently learned that mold and mildew are the same thing and spores spread not by air but by physically being moved.  If you have a mildew problem in your bathroom or somewhere else you are just transferring it to your washer every time you wash things.  You might have to solve the problem as a whole in your house.

Answer 3

First it shouldnt smell being so new,but that aside use two entire cups of bleach and wash empty.Then add a big box of baking soda wash alone and that should do it.

Where is it stored?If in garage type setting this may be an ongoing problem -humidity-and youll need to treat once a month.If not check the warranty,E

Answer 4

try dumping the bleach in & leaving it until next wash when u may have to pump it out first. or leave detergent in for days before reuse, may have to pump out first.

ideally,i think, bleach would vaporize inside machine for days & then an abrasive detergent [powder or DISHWASHER DET.] would cycle so to remove mechanically the crud that stinks wherever it grows within the washer.

please lemme know if this works=its just a theory from me.

Answer 5

~~I just learned so much from our annual maintenance cleaning guy! When you open your door you will notice a very thick band of rubber which circles the opening of the washer. Press down on the rubber at the bottom of the door opening. You can't believe what gets in there. He pulled out 5 socks that had been sucked into ours. There are drain holes but due to major calcium build-up our holes were plugged. He said to run this cleaner through the washer on sanitize cycle every three months (with no clothes in it). You can buy it at sears, but I am going to try plain old white vinegar when I do it. I'll use about a quart. It cleaned the holes out and now the water drains. It still gets slimy, so I take a paper towel and spray with vinegar and just clean it every week. The other thing he said it to keep the door open when not using so it dries out well. I have no problems. I had no idea this rubber gasket thing moved and never even thought of trying to see what is under it. That is the source of the all the mildew odors everyone complains of, but the instruction manuals don't say a thing about it! Anyway, do this and you will be so pleased!~~

Answer 6

try baking soda