Okay from what I've heard this is a problem with front loading machines but I am suddenly noticing an odor with my top loader. I am not sure if I can explain the smell. Sometimes it is strong, sometimes it is faint, sometimes it is not noticeable at all. I tried running it tonight with hot water, 3 cups of baking soda and almost a gallon of vinegar.
I saw that Clorox makes a washer cleaner but I am assuming it is an expensive little bottle of Clorox.
Any ideas, ladies?
The machine is 15 years old and it could have went through phases like this in the past. I almost wonder if it could be something with the water treatment plant but I don't believe the clothes come out smelling so I'm stumped.
I have used the clorox cleaner with my top loading washer because it does the same thing it did work and you get 3 uses out of the bottle. But i never tried the vinegar and baking soda. I saw that there was some other kinds of cleaners at the store. I think what helped the most was that I cleaned what was a place to put the fabric softner, that no longer works. Even though I don't use it it still got dirty and smelly. Good Luck!
Tide makes a clothes washer packet that cleans your washer. I tried it on my washer and was very, very pleased with the results. It was not that expensive either.
Could there be a small article of clothing trapped somewhere inside, like in the agitator or something? If so, it might start to give off quite an odor since it likely never gets fully dry.
Just a thought for something to check, if you didn't already. Or perhaps your drain hose has something clogged in it?
Always leave the lid open when the washer isn't in use, and open up any detergent cups etc. and leave them open too. Water trapped in any washer, front or top loading, creates a "musty" smell. Also, forget the cleaners; just run a load of nothing but bleach occasionally, in the hottest water possible. Our washer has a "sanitize" setting just for cleaning the washer itself, but if yours doesn't have one, just use the hottest water plus Clorox.
The age of the machine may be a factor. We bought our new machine in about 2008 and were told at that time, and read elsewhere, that for appliances like washers (and heating units, and some others) that only 12 to 15 years is their life cycle, so it may be time for a new one. Even our new one does get the musty smell unless we always leave it open and occasionally run a sanitizing wash.
We had a moldy smell with our Maytag top load. Hubby googled it, there is a history of black mold with the front loaders, but nothing about the top loaders. He took the drum out, and sure enough, nothing but black!
I had him toss that thing out the door!
I had that problem with my front loader and when we moved got a top loader.. what we do is leave the door open inbetween washes so it airs out verses trapping water, only if it is safe to do so with small children around. just a thought.
you may want to check your washer's filter... google the model # and you should be able to bring up some info on trouble shooting... I thought my frontloader was having "typical" odor- turned out to be a sludged up filter... (nasty)
good luck!
if it is anything like mine, taking it apart may only make other problems arise. If your husband is more handy than mine- go for it.
We have the same problem and I just run a cycle of bleach through with hot water once every two weeks and ALWAYS leave the lid open when not in use.
But I would agree that 15 years is old and it may be time to just bite the bullet and get a new one!
