Front loading washer questions

[LisaRose]

Help! Our 3 yr old front loading washer is reeking like mildew. Have ran 2 loads of just vinegar thru it; 2 loads of just bleach; 1 with both. Still reeks. Any ideas?

[tiagal]

I would have suggested bleach, but you already tried it and it did not work, so I don't know. There is a machine at the laundry mat I go to and one of the machines there smells like mold, I used it once before I realized where the smell was coming from, my clothes came out smelling like mold. I had to rewash them. Apparently the owners don't know how to get rid of the smell either, because it has been almost a year. I hope you find a solution.

Valerie

[bluedograbbit]

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How to Get Rid of Mold Smell in Front Loader Washing Machine
originated by:Tzucc, Tom Viren, Flickety, Sondra C (see all)

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If you have a Whirlpool (other brands have the same issue) front loader washing machine, you may notice a moldy smell spoiling all your towels and clothes. Here is how to fix it.


edit Steps1Identify the source. The main cause is usually use of a wrong type of detergent that creates too many suds. These suds collect in nooks and crannies and cause mold.
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2Use only an HE (high efficiency) detergent. The HE detergent creates a lot less sudsing and is designed for the modern front loader.3Clean. First wipe the inside of the washer, especially the area where the door seals to the inside. Mold can collect around the insides and folds of the rubber seals. Get in there and make sure you cleaned it all. You could use bleach or Pinesol.4Use a quarter cup of dish washing detergent (powder is best, liquid if you must), along with a towel. Put the machine on the "sanitary" (hottest water) setting. Let it finish its cycle. This should get rid of the mold completely.
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edit TipsImportant: Use powdered bleach for coloreds and liquid bleach for whites, this helps to maintain the mold suppression.
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Leave the front loader door (and the soap dispenser) slightly ajar between washes to let in fresh air. Mold can only grow in stale air.
This information comes direct from a factory appliance repair guy; now you can do it yourself and save money.
One last thing: now you've eradicated the mold, but your towels still smell! It will take about 3 washes with the right bleach to recover soft and sweet smelling towels, so don't despair or trash them.
Another way to remove odor from towels is to use baking soda and no detergent in the hottest wash and add vinegar during the rinse or in a Downey Ball (do not use fabric softener at the same time). Wash several times until you no longer see suds in the rinse cycle.
Wash the soap dispenser at least once a month INCLUDING the spot that it sits in. I have found mold on the upper section of that.
Soap dispensers come out completely and can be taken apart by tipping it over.
Pinesol can provide good results.
Pull the soap dispenser out separate all the parts and put them in the dishwasher.

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Laundry
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March 1, 2010 by Anonymous

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[april22]

Did you use hot water when you ran those bleach and vinegar loads? When you are done washing for any amt of time, do you leave the door open to fully dry inside?

[LisaRose]

It's getting a bit better-have been running multiple loads of just hot water & bleach or vinegar plus the Lysol cleaner. We don't keep this one open in between loads just 'cause we have 3 nosy cats who love to sip at the water [or whatever that stuff is] you can see in between the drum & outside plus crawl in to sleep.

[bluedograbbit]

I found a product at the grocery store that is supposed to clean them comes with a puck to use on the inside and then it has wipes that you use to wipe out the gasket