Learn me: why is my (laundry) washer smelly?

Smells like mildew. How do you clean something that gets rinsed with bleach all the time?

In reply to OHSCrifle:

Is it a front-loader? If so, clean the seals around the door thoroughly.

In reply to OHSCrifle:

Leave door open and let it air dry 100%. Sometimes it takes the seal too long to dry and it's helpful to take a small towel to wipe down the seal to help it dry out faster.....oops this is for front loader

Top load, old skool washer

How often do you run it? Water stays in the bottom.

Damn near every day

Dunno, then. Seal? Underside of the lid? Leak inside the body of the washer?

Borax and water is supposed to get rid of mildew.

Stop leaving wet clothes in washer. Soon as it stops washing, throw clothes into dryer and leave washer lid open to let it air dry.

it happens. Try Washer Magic:

Fill it to max with hot water (Add an extra gallon or two if you are able). Let it agitate for a few minutes, then let it sit for like 2 hours. Then Let it agitate for a while again and then drain/spin it out. If you've never done it before, do it twice. See if that helps.

Fill it and shut it off. Pour a gallon of vinegar in there and let it sit all day. Finish the cycle.

Good ideas. Thx

Like Huck said vinegar. I had the same problem tried bleach only to have it come back couple weeks later. Vinegar is the solution. You can also just run a cup or two of it with the next load works like a charm!

Baking soda works too

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: Baking soda works too

Just don't run baking soda and vineger at the same time. Or do. I'd love to hear about your experience

When mine smells I usually just ask her to take a shower.

Vinegar also helps with the clothes themselves not smelling so sweet either.

WildScotsRacing wrote:

Sine_Qua_Non wrote: Baking soda works too

Just don't run baking soda and vineger at the same time. Or do. I'd love to hear about your experience

A video would be appreciated.

Huckleberry wrote: Fill it and shut it off. Pour a gallon of vinegar in there and let it sit all day. Finish the cycle.

This. I've used as little as 4 cups, and let it sit for only an hour before going through a full cycle, and it's worked its magic. The amount (and # of cleaning cycles) of vinegar probably depends how bad your washer is.

And when not in use, I to agree with keeping the lid open so things dry out.

bearmtnmartin wrote: When mine smells I usually just ask her to take a shower.

A video would be appreciated.

Also btw scum builds up in a ring at the top of the water level between the tubs. For best cleaning, make sure to raise the water level above max just a little. Most washers have some wiggle room, but some don't so watch it carefully. You can add water on some by filling them to the max, then when they stop filling turn the water level selector to "Reset" for a little bit. That will allow a slight overfill. Some washers don't have that feature, however, then a bucket may be the answer. It doesn't take much, just another inch or less can get the cleaner you use up to that top scum ring.

That or rip it apart, pull out the inner tub and get scrubbing.

In reply to Rufledt:

If I use a bucket.. Water will be forced down a drain before it over flows, right?

I've pulled the agitator and scrubbed years of fabric softener goo out previously .. I may have to go deeper.

I ordered the special soap and will add water with a bucket.

The amount of filth that builds up on the outside of the waser drum is truly disgusting.

I recently stripped my washing machine down to replace bearings and and a seal and the motor speed sensor that had been taken out by the leaky seal. The sludge on the outside of the drum was just plain gross. Looking inside the washing machine prior to disassembly, it looked spotless, nope, can't believe we were cleaning clothes in that thing.

As others have suggested, try vinegar or another cleaner. Unless you feel like pulling it apart and scrubbing everything.

In reply to OHSCrifle:

Depends on the washer. Some will drain if it gets too high, GE's have an overflow that just dumps on the ground (pointless because GE). Just add a little at a time, you only have to go up about an inch. Unless something is screwed with, you will have multiple inches of leeway. If you didnt, it would always spray water over the top during washing.

In reply to Rufledt:

Thanks