maricopamoon
Posts:45
 | | 02/12/2008 4:40 PM |
 Alert | Hi, We have a front load washer and lately I have been noticing a strong smell lingering in the washer when empty. I'm not sure how to describe the smell exactly, but it's just kind of 'funky'? Anyway...our laundry room is upstairs and I am wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I am concerned that the water that is supposed to drain out of the tube that goes into the wall from the back of the washer may not be flushing out completely and funky water is trapped in the hose? I know the front loaders are notorious for mildew, so I use color safe bleach in every load I wash, but this smell is different. Any advice is appreciated!  | | | |
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Lurky Loo
Posts:38
| | 02/12/2008 5:08 PM |
Alert | We have a GE front loader that had that problem. For months, I tried scrubbing it and running empty cycles with detergent and finally resorted to sticking an air freshener in the laundry room.
Fast forward a few more months...wash cycles would go on for 3 hours; the washer would fill, wash, spin, refill, spin, refill, spin indefinitely until I would cancel the cycle and put sopping wet clothes in the dryer.
When the GE repairman came out, he unscrewed the front panel (below the door) and showed me a little "filter" area that catches all of the garbage that goes through the drain so it doesn't clog the pipes as the washing machine drains. It was, of course, filled with scraps of paper, tissues, coins, paper money, lint, you name it. That filter is apparently supposed to be removed and cleaned out every 6 months or so (we'd been in our house for a year and a half at the time), but we were completely unaware of it. As it turns out, all that gunky stuff was keeping the washing machine from draining properly and causing the never-ending wash cycles AND the funky smell. I never did pull out my owner's manual to see if there was anything in there about it, but I would guess that most makes and models of washing machines have a similar configuration.
Oh, and make sure you have a bucket under the filter when you open it up, because it does spill water out. Hope that helps! | | | |
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alanf
Posts:1590
| | 02/12/2008 5:08 PM |
Alert | Take a rag and wipe all around the door gasket. Front loaders have issues with moisture(leading to funk) around the door. Also, when not in use leave the door open. | | | |
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maricopamoon
Posts:45
| | 02/12/2008 5:30 PM |
Alert | Thanks for the replies...I am definitely going to check my manual and see about clearing out the filter! | | | |
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shertex
Posts:1049
| | 02/13/2008 6:13 AM |
Alert | | I was also told by a friend to leave the washer door open to prevent this! | |
Senior Member
Posts: 5042
Joined: Jan 2006
You better make it count, cause you can't get it back! | |
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gcmattson101
Posts:19
| | 02/13/2008 7:02 AM |
Alert | We have an LG front load that had the same problem. The repair man advised us to switch to a powdered detergent because some of the less expensive liquid detergents can cause a build up inside the drum and cause the odor. We switched to powdered Tide and have not had a problem since. | |
When life gives you lemons make lemonade! | |
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twostep23
Posts:1720
| | 02/13/2008 7:40 AM |
Alert | I also run a cycle with no clothes but put bleach in it to clean everything out. | |
Senior Member
Posts: 4625
Joined: Feb 2006 | |
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Tempting Fait1
Posts:768
| | 02/13/2008 8:18 AM |
Alert | | I find mine holds water in the soap/rinse dispensers too, I take them out and clean them good with vinegar every now and then. | |
The red head is BACK!! (and still mouthy)
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lexmark
Posts:352
| | 02/25/2008 8:50 PM |
Alert | Posted By twostep23 on 02/13/2008 7:40 AM I also run a cycle with no clothes but put bleach in it to clean everything out. I do the same thing and always works. Bleach does everything! | |
Bye Bye Maricopa! | |
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Colgate
Posts:642
| | 02/25/2008 8:54 PM |
Alert | | The smell is called milldew and that is correct leave the door open just like an old frige not in use!!! | |
Live every day as if it were your last and smile! | |
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alwaysamytoo
Posts:0
| | 02/29/2008 10:23 AM |
Alert | I have had mine for 2 1/2 years and have never had the problem as I always leave the door opened a crack to dry. This is the best way to keep it odor free and also makes sure that the rubber seals dry to help the life of the machine. Bleach is great but remember it does eat rubber, thing of toilet seals poof gone with a bleach tablet. | | | |
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Lees2
Posts:586
| | 02/29/2008 12:49 PM |
Alert | I think mine are Kenmores. In our instructions we have a cleaning cycle where we add 1/3 cup bleach, hit a certain sequence of buttons, and the washer goes through a cleaning cycle for about an hour. I think it is suggested to be done every two months or so.
Also, I always check under the rubber seals because my son did laundry and one of his socks got stuck under there for weeks.
I also take a dry cloth to the seals and the machine, then leave the door open when not in use. | |
Previous Post Count: 2731
Member Since: April 22, 2005 at 3:24 p.m. | |
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Jason
Posts:3378
| | 03/04/2008 7:36 PM |
Alert | Posted By gcmattson101 on 02/13/2008 7:02 AM We have an LG front load that had the same problem. The repair man advised us to switch to a powdered detergent because some of the less expensive liquid detergents can cause a build up inside the drum and cause the odor. We switched to powdered Tide and have not had a problem since.
The LG washers have a drum clean cycle and procedure that is supposed to be run every month or two. Plus the filter that should be cleaned every other week. Also need to wipe down the door and seal. That will keep out the smell. After seeing what our water does to powdered detergents in the dishwasher I would not trust them in the washer.
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DIRTY BIRDIE
Posts:342
| | 03/04/2008 9:38 PM |
Alert | | Liquid detergent is best, make sure it's HE | | | |
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thiskiss
Posts:334
| | 03/11/2008 3:40 PM |
Alert | Posted By lexmark on 02/25/2008 8:50 PM Posted By twostep23 on 02/13/2008 7:40 AM I also run a cycle with no clothes but put bleach in it to clean everything out. I do the same thing and always works. Bleach does everything! I've also heard you should run a cycle with bleach. We've had a front loaders for a few years now and have been very happy with them. We don't leave our door open on the washer because we have three dogs who shead like crazy, and it would be full of hair in a matter of hours. Anways, we've never had a problem with a smell, but do run a cycle with bleach everyonce in awhile. | | | |
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