Charleston, SC on Sep 05, 2011

Need some help with washer/dryer

My neighbor is having an issue with w/d--each load is coming out smelling like mildew and she claims to have tried everything--including running bleach and cleaning the rubber ring inside washer. It is a very strong mildew smell.

Any ideas? Set is only 4 yrs old.

I thought I would throw this out to my HT family

16 Comments

JL Spring & Associates Richmond, VA

Well Terry, I just happen to have had the exact same problem with a propane clothes dryer. I thought the clothes had stayed in the washer too long and had gotten a little musty. Rewashed and used a new cheaper type of fragrant fabric softener sheet...smell was almost worse! I talked to a few folks and one gave me a surprising bit of information...Dryer sheets are basically composed of a fibrous webbed membrane that holds a fragrant scent using a wax like composition to deliver the ...»
"softness making chemical" which allows it to cling to the fabrics and "smoothing" out the fibers in the garments. Over time you may even notice towels with less absorbency due to the wax-like build up. Well, the same properties that allow the scent to stay on, also traps any smells not washed out in the rinse cycle...slightly masking the dirty smell. So my conclusion was that some of the smell could have been from clothes left in a pre-wash damp and /or sweaty condition or overnight in the washer before drying during humid conditions and then being trapped in the fabric. I found a re-wash with white vinegar and using a liquid fabric softener ( Wifey swears by Downy!) did the trick..I hope this works for you..best always...JL

on Sep 05, 2011 · Like 0
Donna Raleigh, NC

I have started a load of clothes and left them in the washer or left them partially dried in the dryer before work and they "soured" before I got home to put them in the dryer to finish and the load had to be rewashed. Now, I no longer start a load of clothes unless I have time to dry them completely. Also important to check for the smell of mildew from other faucets....if we go several weeks in the summer without going to our vacation home, the water smells mildewed in the kitchen ...»
faucet and I have to flush the lines when we first arrive.

on Sep 05, 2011 · Like 1
Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Has she tried the cleaning tablets for HE washers? Those seem to make some difference for me, and leaving the washing machine door open also makes a huge difference.

on Sep 05, 2011 · Like 0
Woodbridge Environmental ... Colonia, NJ

A few things come to mind, You did not say if this was a HD machine or a simple top load unit, but in any case the issue can be the same for both.
Each washer has two tubs. One you see and the other that you do not.
The one you do not see holds the water during the wash cycles, This tank of sorts drains out during every rinse cycle and after the machine completes its cleaning. As the machine ages it builds ...»
up sediment within the internal tub preventing all the water from draining out. This sediment can increase if your homes water supply is real hard, or you use powdered detergents that have not fully dissolved during the wash cycle. Should this occur you will find the machine holding water from draining out. As this water sits odors begin to develop much like odors that form on the inside of a sink drain. Bacteria begins to develop and you have your odor.
To fix this will depend on several factors, just how bad it is, and exactly what is causing it.
You can pour a bottle of vinegar into the machine and run it through a real HOT load cycle without any additional chemicals or cleaners to see if this clears up the smell. Or run a large amount of bleach to neutralize the smell, but that will not remove any hardness that may have collected that caused this issue in first place. Or you can get a contractor who repairs these machines to take it apart and clean it for you.
Another thing you could do is to contact the manufacture of the unit and ask their help line what should be done. Your machine cannot be the only one that has this issue, and I am quite sure that they have had this question asked before.

on Sep 06, 2011 · Like 2
Terry Haas Charleston, SC

That makes so much sense thank you
I am going to call her this morning
I knew this group would come thru

on Sep 06, 2011 · Like 0
Strock Enterprises, Inc. North Charleston, SC

A great way to keep your washing machine clean, and get any and all odors out of your clothes you can use CLEAR Amonia with every wash cycle (unless you're using bleach) The Amonia will keep the washer brilliantly clean, as well as your clothes. It does NOT leave ANY smell in your clothes nor does it harm your clothes (even personal items and silks)
After a client shared this tip with us I have used about 1/2 cup Amonia in every load of laundry I do and it works great.

on Sep 10, 2011 · Like 0
Terry Haas Charleston, SC

This is awesome
I am going to try this myself...thank you everyone

on Sep 11, 2011 · Like 0
Donna McCrummen Bernardsville, NJ

I had this exact issue with brand new front load HE machines. I finally solved the problem: 1. Always dry out the rubber gasket.....2. Always leave the door open.....3. Never ever use more than a dribble of detergent and NEVER ever ever use Tide....4. Always use vinegar in your rinse cycle it's cheap and will not gum up your machines. 5. Be sure to shake out everything, especially towels, jeans, etc. before putting them in the dryer they will dry better and faster. @ Strock - I don't think ...»
I'd ever add amonia to my laundry - isn't it a bit harsh on your clothes and skin?

on Sep 14, 2011 · Like 1
Terry Haas Charleston, SC

I wondered about the amonia--but all of the simple ideas that everyone has sent has been really helpful.
Thanks everyone--

on Sep 14, 2011 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

I have the same problem with my front loader. If I don't' take the clothes out immediately they smell like mildew The only thing I can think of is that I'm using too much detergent, because I leave the door open, I use vinegar and I bleach the unit once a week. Going to cut back on the sudsy's and see if that helps.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 0
Cheryl B Liberty, SC

I had this happen with a top loader one time. I was cleaning it and just pulled it out and took the outer shell off and the outside of the 'tub you don't see', was caked with a waxy residue of combo of undisolved detergent and softener. I scraped all of that off and cleaned it good with amonia. I now do that at least once a year to every washer I have owned since.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 1
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Ihave heard of so many new front loaders having this problem,now there is a "product" to "overcome" this . huh? We are suppose to buy another product to keep the waher itself clean? Anyway, I read a lot of posts on HGTV website message boards ("cleaning" topic) on this subject. Which convinced me to not have a front loader, at least the new ones.

on Sep 15, 2011 · Like 0
Donna McCrummen Bernardsville, NJ

The machines are great. Just go real light on the soap, don't use Tide, and add vinegar to the rinse cycle.

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
CAROL H Harlem, GA

OK. I used less soap and left the clothes in the wash only for two hours - STINKY. So, less soap didn't work. I'm going to call out a repair man. Maybe the washer is not adding enough water so the soap stays in the clothes??

on Sep 16, 2011 · Like 0
Patti Roswell, GA

Also, run a load without clothes, using vinegar (?maybe a quart?).(If the clothes smell of mildew, then run them through with the vinegar) I ALWAYS leave the door to my washer open after the clothes are removed, and make sure the washer is COMPLETELY dry, before closing the door, maybe the next day.

on Sep 24, 2011 · Like 1
Clay B Chesapeake, VA

A way to prevent the odor/mildew in the first place is to always leave the washer door open or ajar. Any moist area will mildew. Leave it ajar to dry out. Works with dishwashers also. I only latch my dishwasher shut when it's running/washing dishes. I have a top load clothes washer, lid is always open unless I'm washing clothes. If you have a front loader, just do not latch it shut when not in use.

on Oct 09, 2011 · Like 0

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