Cleaning front loading washing machine...

I used a Tide powder product and was horrified at the after smell! I would like a more natural way! Thanks for your input~~~Diane
  7 answers
  • Shari Shari on Oct 04, 2015
    Eliminate use of all liquid laundry soaps and fabric softeners and you should not need to clean your washer. Based on the research I did before I bought my HE front load washer, it became abundantly obvious to me that HE owners (especially front load washer owners) should never, EVER use liquid laundry products in their washers. From everything I have read, liquid laundry products (liquid soaps AND fabric softeners) seem to play a major role in contributing to the smelly washer problems that are so common with HE machines. (Using way too much soap and cold water washes also seem to significantly increase the chances of mold/mildew/odor problems too.) Apparently, the oils and animal fats in the liquid laundry products are not adequately washed away because of the energy-saving low water levels. The sticky residue left behind on the washer's internal parts is enough to trap moisture and in turn, cause mold and mildew and unpleasant smells that can even permeate your clothes. Many owners complain of nasty, smelly, mildew in and around the detergent/softener drawers so that is just more confirmation to me these liquid products contribute/cause the problem. I only use 1-2 tablespoons of powdered laundry soap per load and I never, ever use liquid softener products in my HE washer. This is the recipe I use to make my own powdered laundry soap: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/clean/fabric/homemade-laundry-soap-28-per-year-600966 About a year ago, I had an appliance repairman in my home to fix a problem with my refrigerator and he was using my laundry room door to go back and forth to his truck. As he was leaving, he asked me about my front load washer, what kind and how much soap I was using, and whether I had experienced any mold/mildew problems. I told him my theory about liquid soaps and fabric softeners and he confirmed I was right. He also said he can always tell when someone uses liquid detergent in their dishwasher because it leaves a sticky film too. After he said that, I realized how much sense that made so I immediately stopped buying those liquid pods for my dishwasher and now I've gone back to using only powdered dishwasher detergent. If you don't have the gunk left by liquid detergent and fabric softener, buying those expensive *cleaning* tablets generally becomes unnecessary. If I need to occasionally wipe off the door of my washer or the drum, I just wipe with a rag I have dipped in white vinegar.
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    • Miss Diane Schultz Miss Diane Schultz on Oct 04, 2015
      @Shari I have hard water; if that means anything! probably not; I have to clean in between the rubber pieces on the door often; stuff catches there. I really don't care for a front loader, but I had no choice; very small space. Do you use similar soaps like mine? I do like both a lot! Diane
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 04, 2015
    Try running some baking soda and water through the machine.
  • Eileen Silvers Eileen Silvers on Oct 04, 2015
    I would go with the vinegar and baking soda. I looked on pinterest and that is the best solution that I found. Just run it through a full water load and let it drain like normal. Then, leave your door ajar after you do laundry.
  • Becky Greenwald Becky Greenwald on Oct 05, 2015
    Be sure to leave the door ajar when not in use so it can air dry. Nothing like closing it up for a time and then having the smell knock you down the next time you open it.
    • Miss Diane Schultz Miss Diane Schultz on Oct 05, 2015
      @Becky Greenwald Yes indeed Becky! I really miss having a traditional top loader; less fussing! Diane
  • Heidi Zunino Heidi Zunino on Oct 05, 2015
    No. 1 thing after you get it to not smell is NEVER keep door closed when not in use. Slip a small towel or something over the door and leave ajar. Even if you have small children this should not be a safety issue, even if they crawl in there isn't a way they can turn on the machine and fully shut the door. Leaving the door shut is a prime environment for mildew and that awful smell. Take a paper towel of towels you are about to wash and soak up the water that sits in the front gasket area. If the door is open the water doesn't smell it just needs to get out there once in a while.
  • Sdraughn Sdraughn on Oct 05, 2015
    I have a front loader and per my info that came with the washer, I just put 2/3 cup of bleach into the bleach dispenser and run the "clean washer setting". I always leave my door open. I have never had a smell in my washer even after washing my dog's bed and blankets.
  • Renata Renata on Oct 09, 2015
    Thank U! I am not the only one. I used Tide once too and my clothes stunk terribly...Will not use Tide again!