How do you get the sour smell out of the washing machine?
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35 answers
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LeeAnn...Clorox and others now have washing machine cleaner that you can use monthly to clean you washing machine (we'll skip the obvious jokes about the seeming oxymoronic qualities of a cleaner for a cleaning machine). See, for example, http://www.clorox.com/products/clorox-washing-machine-cleaner
Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of
on Jul 25, 2011
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Leaving the door open between laundry days has made a huge difference to the level of odor in our front-loading Bosch machine, and wiping it out with bleach wipes when there is an odor also seems to help.
3po3
on Jul 25, 2011
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Thank you both! I do leave the door open after every use without fail, I will try the cleanser. I also have clients with the same problem. Thank you for the tips.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 26, 2011
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We had a problem with our machine when it was new and the GE repair man said that we should do what LeeAnn is doing, leave the door open every time you wash. We haven't had any sour or any other odor issues in a year and a half now. I guess it works.
Paul M
on Jul 26, 2011
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I had a Lady that cleans houses she cleanses everything with fabric softner and water! Walls and all and you will not believe the smell and it will take the smell out of the washer too she said!!
Billy S
on Jul 26, 2011
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I use a product called Affresh that is available at Lowe's. Every month I run an empty washer on the "sanitize" cycle with one tablet of Affresh. (Not all washers have this cycle. If yours doesn't just adjust the settings so it uses hot water and runs for the longest time available.) I also leave my washer door open as well as dry the door and inside the boot after I finish washing. So far I haven't had any problems with my front loader smelling bad.
Rene R
on Jul 26, 2011
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Thank you all!! This problem recently arose & I shall fight it & win!! I love this network, it's like my smart phone, it tells me what to do.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 26, 2011
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Personally, I have used white vinegar in the wash to rid the sour smell-
EXOVATIONS
on Jul 26, 2011
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I've been using vinegar in my laundry for about 15 years now. I read something years ago about the antiseptic properties of vinegar and it helps your clothes to smell clean with a little citrus overtone. Well I like how it makes to clothes come out but if it keeps the machine clean too then that is just a little bonus isn't it?
Paul M
on Jul 26, 2011
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Vinegar works miracles for my baby's cloth diapers (and it probably helps reduce the smell in the machine). Also, LeeAnn, Hometalk is even better than a smartphone because we don't auto-correct you and make you write embarrassing things.
3po3
on Jul 26, 2011
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WOW, I am amazed at all the men that responded...go guys! Are ya'll referring to front loading not top loading. My top loading GE has 20 years "under its belt"!
Patsy W
on Jul 27, 2011
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LOL Steve, good one! Patsy it is awesome that men know how to do laundry....or did their wives complain about the smell & they had to fix it?????
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 27, 2011
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The wives complained- we fixed. I used vinegar and encouraged her to use Borax a few times a week and the smell did not come back.
SawHorse Design Build
on Jul 27, 2011
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Don't know much about doing laundry but I am an expert on producing it. As far as smells. These are the result of the new high efficiency units being produced these days. With the lack of water that was normally used in older machines there is not as much rinsing out of the drum area as before. Oftentimes the rubber gasket on the door becomes plugged with lint preventing the little holes in the gasket from properly draining any residual water left in the seams. This is why leaving the door ajar after using seems to help rid the odor. Wiping this gasket out every few weeks and removing the lint helps very well also.. Simply running the machine with a clean white towel and some Oxi bleach will freshen it up also. But after you clean the door gasket in all the nooks and crannies.
Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com
on Jul 27, 2011
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Patsy my new one is GE front loader, out older one is a Kenmore and it is about 17 years old. Never had a problem with smells in the old one but the GE tech said that front loaders tend to get an odor if you leave the door shut, so we don't and we haven't had a problem.
Paul M
on Jul 27, 2011
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What about the light, does it stay on when the door is open?
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 27, 2011
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You have a light on your washing machine? Mine doesnt and not sure one would because of the water but perhaps there is a model that does. My dryer does hower. The dryer door does not need to stay open but in case you did not know, the dryer light will shut off after a short period. We leave the door open on our front load washer all the time....actually we have to put something (a rag) in the door so it says open.
Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of
on Jul 27, 2011
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Great, I did not realize that the light would go off all by its little self, how smart of it!
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 27, 2011
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I'm a stay-at-home dad (among other things), so I do all the laundry 'round these parts.
3po3
on Jul 27, 2011
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LeeAnn we don't have a light in that one so there is no problem with anything running by leaving the door off. On our model you have to turn the power on to run it anyway and when the cycle is complete it turn itself off. I guess that is part of the energy star system of that machine. I know it uses about 1/4 of the water of out old one and it uses less power too, but I am not really sure about the amount as far as the power is concerned. Does your washing machine have a light in it?
Paul M
on Jul 28, 2011
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No, but a client with does & she closes it each time & it stinks. @Woodbridge, your answer was wonderful and I learned so much about the why. @ I thank you all, I will try vinegar 1st since I have some already!
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Jul 28, 2011
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Really enjoy all the responses to washer smells and would just like to say that I had a maytag toploader that got destroyed in the flood, but I had got about 20yr. service out of it without any problems. Now I have a GE front loader and the man that installed it, told me to leave the door open after each wash to keep from smelling. Its only been a month but no smell so far, but thanks for all the tips in case it should begin to smell.
Margaret B
on Jul 29, 2011
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I bought a new top-loader recently, and was told that I need to leave it open, as well to keep it from mildewing. Folks need to know that the new top-loaders use basically the same technology as the front-loaders, so most of the rules are the same. Here's a great blog post on cleaning your washer: http://www.somewhatsimple.com/2011/08/how-to-clean-your-washing-machine.html
Willow House | Simply Good Design
on Aug 02, 2011
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Thank you Willow House!!! I loved the link & photos. That is how I will do it, with vinegar! Wow, I luv Hometalkl! By the way, were you once located in Kennesaw?
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Aug 02, 2011
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LeeAnn, Willow House is my own business, but the Corporate Headquarters is in Birmingham. I offer Style for Home products through in-home design workshops. Willow House offers unique, quality products because we design the products ourselves, then source the manufacturers. My hosts are able earn awesome rewards by simply having their girlfriends over for a fun, interactive time of learning more about decorating, organizing, and entertaining. We're also launching our Jewelry by Sara Blaine line this fall! For more info and to see our product line, go to http://SuzanneJackson.WillowHouse.com
Willow House | Simply Good Design
on Aug 03, 2011
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Suzanne, your product line is beautiful & today. I just got back from the beach & FINALLY did the vinegar! Wala! Presto chango it worked. I now have a good smelling washer. Problem solved. THANKS TO ALL FOR THE WONDERFUL TIPS!
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Aug 03, 2011
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Yep vinegar the miracle cure, good for what ails ye!!
Paul M
on Aug 03, 2011
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http://giraffe-legs.blogspot.com/2012/09/homemade-laundry-soap-with-surprising.html ; Check out this link on how I finally got rid of my smell. I made my own detergent!
Diane Kaul
on Sep 29, 2012
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Thank you Diane, great info!
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Sep 29, 2012
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Hope it helps!
Diane Kaul
on Sep 29, 2012
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Lee Anne C, I buy Arm & Hammer concentrated baking soda for the washer. Then I put vinegar in softener tray & leave the door open after washing. I get a clean, non smelly wash and washer at an inexpensive price. Mine is a front loader.
Sherrie S
on Sep 29, 2012
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I did buy the top loader with the new technology & low water wash. I think I am happy with it so far.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Sep 30, 2012
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@Lee Anne C It is nice to get second opinions to make a decision and then do what you feel is right. I love hometalk.
Sherrie S
on Sep 30, 2012
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Ok, how much vinegar? Hot water with vinegar?
Glade Interiors
on Feb 04, 2013
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I was told one cup vinegar to a regular wash cycle with no clothes.
Culpepper Carpets and Interiors, Inc.
on Feb 04, 2013
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