Odor I just need to know, if I buy a new washer will it still smell horrible ? It looks like they all smell bad. Front loaders, top loaders. I never remember my mom having a smelly washing machine when I was growing up! Now, they cost 3 times as much and you have to buy something else to make them not stink!@#$%^

Any front load will have odor issues if you don't leave the door open and dry off the door gasket.

Odors related to front loader washers is a common problem. The following link gives some pointers on things you may try to minimize odors and to keep them reoccurring:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3608512-getting_rid_front_loader_mildew_odor

Many of these tips are mentioned in the owner's manual of these washers. The most important factors inlcude:

1. Leaving the door open when not in use.
2. Checking for small garments that end up in the door bellow area.
3. Using HE detergent only.
4. Checking the drain pump reservoir for debris.

These simple factors will not only minimize odors, but will keep them from coming back. I personally own one of these front loaders and have never had an odor problem in the 9 years I've owned it by following this regiment.

If you have your doubts or have questions, please post back and let me know. I do hope you find this information helpful.

I have a front loader and hated the machine for the very same reasons. A one shot fix does not exist but rather requires ongoing treatment (they don't tell you that when you buy the washer though).

Star by getting rid of the existing smell. There are products designed specifically for this problem. One such is "Affresh" but there are others. Most are available at stores that sell the machines and like everything else, on the internet too. Use as directed and once the smell is gone, maintain by using the steps below.

Firstly - discard all non-HE detergents. I know the "regular" detergents are cheaper than the HE counterparts, but these machines are designed for the low-suds types; the regular types leave a soapy residue because the machine doesn't use nearly as much water as your old top loader. So give them to your friends with top loaders instead of using them in your front loader.

Next, run a small load, with bleach and hot water only - no clothes as the last load for the day.

Thirdly, leave the door(s) open on the days not used. This includes any top door for detergents / softeners along with the main front door of the machine between washes. It need not be left wide open - but open enough to allow air in to help dry the interior.

Fourth, wipe down the interior after the last load of the day. Pay particular attention to the rubber seal between the drum and the door jamb of the machine.

Fifth, stop using fabric softener in the washer. Use a fabric softener dryer sheet instead. Limiting the products added to the washer to just bleach & HE detergents is best.

Sixth, use the washer cleaning product (Affresh etc.) as needed as a preventative step or to head off problems if / when they just begin to become noticeable.

If you follow all of these steps - the offending odors can be eliminated and prevented.

I hope this was very helpful and good luck!

There's usually about a gallon of residual water in the lower portion of the wash tub, drain line and pump between wash loads. This is NORMAL. If you are in the habit of leaving the door closed between washes, this water can become stagnant. If you are experiencing sour odors from the washer, the following link can give you some pointers on things to try to help keep the smell from coming back:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3608512-getting_rid_front_loader_mildew_odor

Odors can also be caused by using the wrong type of detergent, causing soap scum build up, and from small articles of clothing caught in the rubber folds of the door bellow, or in the drain lines. Read through the link provided and let me know if you still have problems. I personally own a front loader and have followed this regiment for 9 years now with no odor or mildew problems. I hope this helps you.

I used 2 quartz of Clorox bleach running a full load without clothes. After that the odor has gone for good. Try that.

are you useing he detergent? if not this is your problem the washer cannot get ride of the soap so what it does is leave a layer of film in your washer and odor causeing bacteria forms in it. There is a product called AFFRESH you can buy it at SEARS it is made specifically for this. Do you leave the door open ragularly? The reason I am asking is because your washer is like your bathroom if you do not ventilate it properly it will grow mold and it needs to be cleaned. By leaving the door closed all the time it is very easy for the bacteria to grow.
So my advice is to leave the door open, make sure you are useing the correct soap (HE) high efficiancy soap, clean the washer with no clothes hot water and bleach and use the affresh or washer magic. Since you can smell the smell you are going to have to keep cleaning it abouit 2-3 times a month till it goes away. Then once a month. This is not a machanical problem or a whirlpool problem and is very commen in ALL front loader if you do not clean it regularly.

Wash on hottest and longest cycle with regular laundry soap and a bottle of vinegar. After cycle, wash again with soap on hottest/longest cycle. This will clean your washer like new.

Same here. We bought ours January 2005. Love the machines and take great care of them, too. Then the smell in the washer which seemed to affect certain clothes, like thick sweat pants and t-shirts (they smelled really "sour"). After doing some searches I found on this site where someone had recommended using a product called Affresh. I figured I might as well try it since my other attempts failed. This really worked for me. I bought it at Home Depot for $7 for a pkg of 3. I used 3 tablets per their directions, as this was my first time using it (afterwards they recommend using only 1 tablet per month). I was totally amazed as the smell was gone. I hope it works for you, too!

LG model WM2688H front load washer Once you follow this, the smell will go & you only need to run the tub clean mode with oxiclean once a month. This has worked for my client. Her washer made the entire house smell & your eyes tear when you got near it...not any more. 1) Leave the door open! Detergent door too when not in use. 2) Clean the filter (bottom left below door on front) You need a container to catch about a cup of water, or a towel to clean up the cup of water that will spill. Remove the rubber hose...twist off the cap...drain water out of tube. replace cap, replace tube. Next to tube is a twist cap. Turn counter clockwise, remove and clean filter, put back in. 3) I boil water (2 gallons) mix in some bleach 1/2 cup, and put the solution inside the washer. I let it sit for 10 minutes. With my hand I rotate the drum 1/5 of a turn and let soak for 10 minutes. rotate 1/5, sit, rotate, sit until entire tub has sat in the boiling water for 10 minutes. Boiling =212 degrees. Kill Mold= 108 degrees. Water Heater= 120 typically 4) If there is a sink nearby, run the hot water prior to starting a cleaning cycle!!! Screw the environmentalists. (sorry, but you want to get rid of your mold) Because of the minimal quantities of water used in a wash cycle, the water in your pipes does not remain hot all night long, and the washer does not have a built in heater to raise the temp. So you're using cold water to wash everything...including the clean cycles &/or bleaching. 5) I leave the boiling water in, add a scoop of Oxiclean. There is a "Tub Clean" mode on the LG. It's a 1 1/2 hour hot wash made especially to clean the inner tub. Check your owners manual!!! It's in there, for some reason they think people read these things...or if you don't like reading on this model it's the 3rd button on the right side options. The button says EXTRA RINSE in BIG BOLD Letters and in smaller letters...tub clean. Hold the button down for 3-5 seconds, the door will lock & it will ask you to add bleach. Fill the bleach compartment. Use liquid bleach Clorox, NOT the HE gel bleach. 6) Don't use AFFRESH!!! Oxiclean 1,000 times better. 7) HE Powder over HE liquids definately. You should be mold free. Do this once a month.

hate my duet sport also! You cant presoak in this machine, very little water to wash with, very noisy, and everything stinks when it comes out of washer. Mine also smelled like mold but i figured out if you pull out the little tray that holds the detergent it is filled with stinky black mold. would never buy again