I was getting F02 flashing on my musty smelling HE3 frontloader. I found on line to take the front kick panel off and undo the round cap, (tons of water came out) there is a plastci cylinder in there that was gloged with the smelliest yuk. I cleaned it all out, scrubbed it well and the F02 warning went away and so has the awful smell I have had for 5 years.
I FINALLY discovered the solution to my stinky HE3 Kenmore Elite Washer that I purchased in 2004. It is installed using the laundry tub drain system. I removed the drain hose and discoverd a ton of built-up slim and gook. It was disgusting! I soaked it in a bleach/water solution, scrubbed it out (not easy), rinsed it, soaked it again, blew out debris, rinsed again. I also cleaned out the small elbow where the hose attaches. NO MORE SMELL!!! When the smell returns, I will again clean out the drain hose. I have had a stinky machine for FOUR (4) years. I do all the right things.... use bleach, switched to HE powdered detergents, skipped the fabric softener, use Affresh, leave the door open, remove clothes immediately after washing, never overload, keep tub boot clean. I refuse to pay Sears to have my washer cleaned professionally once a year....their recommendation now when you purchase their front-loading machines. Ridiculous! Hope this works for someone else. Charlene
Be careful with what brand of fabric softener is used. I hate to point fingers or name names but I had found that Snuggle brand softeners do not work well in front loading machines. The have a wax base component in it that leaves a coating in the back side of the drum. I discovered this by doing complete dis-assembly of the machine a found a thick coating of very disgusting mold on the drum frame and tub. It took about three years before the smell started, and no amount of bleach runs in the machine would get rid of it. I had to clean and disinfect the entire unit before the smell disappeared. I would recommend Downy brand softeners and an occasional bleach run after a complete cleaning of the machine.
I have the same problem - the clothes smell like they have been left in there for a week - stale or moldy.
It only happens with dark clothes - I have started adding color safe bleach or oxy clean and sometimes a tiny spash of bleach - it seems to have solved it.
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My Kenmore front loader also makes my clothes stink to high heaven! What helps is to remove the entire soap/softener dispenser, wash it inside and outside with a 50% bleach solution, then take a rag and wipe out the 'walls' in which the dispenser sits. We get alot of red moldy stuff out that way. Then, as a last resort, we run TWO washes with bleach (and no clothes). It helps for awhile, but within 2 weeks it's back again.
We've also checked the rubber flange around the drum and found the drainage holes clogged with a small sock. Removed that and it helped - but again, only for awhile. It's a shame we spent thousands on the washer/dryer only to have this happen repeatedly. Our last top loader lasted our family 20 years without a hitch. This set will be left with the house when we move!
Usually dark clothes are the problem - they smell like they have been left in there for a week.
I have started using color safe bleach with my dark clothes or a very, very small spash of bleach plus oxy clean and is has solved the problem.
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