My washer makes my clothes stink

[LAktownhorn]

so as i'm putting clothes in my washer i smell a mildewy smell. since we first noticed it, we always leave the door open but this hasn't helped.

when i take the clothes out they smell like mildew. so i've been putting in 2 dryer sheets to combat the smell. it sort of helps. is it time for a new washer?

 

[Texanne]

Fill your washer with hot water and vinegar (either apple cider or white will do). Turn the washer off and let it sit for a while. Then turn it back on and let it drain.

This happened to us a couple of years ago and I did this, and it took the bad smell right out.

Rule No. 1: Never, ever close the washer when it's not in use.

 

[Not that Bob]

Or Clorox.

 

[sawbonz]

Do you have a front loader? We noticed this about 5 months after we got ours, and one of our friends told us it's fairly common w them.

We weren't using bleach at all, bc the washer gets whites really clean without it, but we started using it every once in a while in a load of towels and socks and that took care of the problem. We were also told you can simply leave the door open when it's not in use, but w small children that is not practical.

 

[Mrs. Reboot]

If it's a front loader you also have to clean around the inside of the door and opening. Water seems to pool there. I don't know if the newer models are doing this still, but our 2 year old model still does this a bit. Also, the bleach and vinegar solutions are a must, either one.

 

[l00p]

My washer just pooped out earlier this week. It is about time though. It is at least 15 years old at the minimum. It cut out with a full tub of water for the size load I was washing (about half full). It would not drain.

I forgot about it after going to the laundromat. I came home two days later thinking my dog took a dump in the kitchen, something she NEVER does and has not done since she was a puppy.

Nope, it was from the washer. So after manually emptying it, some bleach and febreeze it is mostly gone. If I leave it open it is okay. Closed the smell gathers.

I am going to move it out of the house (ugh, to the porch?) since my large item collection has to be coming up soon. But that smell was not a good one.

 

[washparkhorn]

H2O2.

Most easily found as the active ingredient in color safe bleach.

 

[LAktownhorn]

yeah its a front loader. i'll try the bleach and vinegar ideas. also cleaning the rubber thingy in the front. thanks, guys.