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    Washer smells

    We leave the washer door open when we are not doing laundry, because the inside gets a moldy smell if we close it, even when it is completely dry inside.
    I don't know anyone who leaves the door open, nor have I ever heard  of anyone having this issue.  We are NOT a bunch of stinky people with a bunch of stinky laundry, and we use a quality detergent.
    The machine came with the home, and isn't very old.  
    Any ideas on why it smells and how to fix it (and I already told you, we aren't stinky people with stinky laundry). 

    +2  Views: 903 Answers: 3 Posted: 10 years ago
    FISH-O

    Does it not have a 'clean cycle'? There should be instructions in the manual... clean with ten percent bleach.
    I can honestly say, I have never had this problem. Oh and there is a filter.... make sure that is clean.
    Bob/PKB

    Thanks, Fish; I'll look for the manual and clean the filter. :D

    3 Answers

    Instructions
    1
    Clean the washing machine's lint trap. The lint trap in the washer should be emptied with every load, just like the trap in the dryer. Otherwise, the damp lint could mold and cause an unpleasant odor.


    2
    Run a hot water cycle without clothes to clean a smelly washing machine. Add 3 cups distilled white vinegar to the cycle to clean out any bacteria. To keep the musty smell from coming back, occasionally add 1 cup vinegar to a load of towels and wash on hot. The vinegar will not harm the towels and will help to disinfect them.


    3
    Run an occasional chlorine bleach load with hot water to keep musty smells at bay. Do it once a week with a load of whites, and both your socks and your machine will come out fresh and clean.


    4
    Make sure you are using the right type of soap for your machine. You can't use regular soap in a high efficiency machine; only use special HE soap. Regular soap in an HE washer will cause a soap scum residue that can mildew and cause a nasty smell.


    Read more: How to Clean a Smelly Washing Machine | eHow http://www.ehow.com/how_4797790_clean-smelly-washing-machine.html#ixzz2VaGsfEIr 




    To the right side of the page, there are other suggestions. 

    Bob/PKB

    Thank you, Colleen. Your answer really helped. I appreciate your time and effort to give me info along with the website.
    Colleen

    Moderator
    You're welcome.

    there's water trapped in there somewhere- - - - thus creating a musty smell. Try running it thru with vinegar. Maybe that will take out the smell.

    Leave the door open after use.

    Bob/PKB

    That's what I do...it helps.


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