Issue

Front Load Washer Smells Bad (Buildup of Mold, Mildew, Odor, Musty, Burning, Washer Stink, Sewer Smell)

Solution

When the customer complains about odor from the washer, please suggest the following:

• Good Practice: After you finish the laundry, make sure the detergent drawer is clean, and then wipe the drum and door seal with a clean, dry cloth. If possible, leave the door and the detergent drawer slightly open.

• Leave the door open: It is recommended to leave the washer door open after every wash (for at least 1 hour) to allow air to circulate and prevent mold / mildew from building up.

• Clean the inner surface: Spray bathroom cleaner on the gasket and drum, wait half an hour and wipe the surface to prevent mold/mildew from building up inside the washer.

• Do not let clothes sit in the washer: Empty the washer within an hour after the load is completed. Clothes that sit in the washer for a long time can redeposit moisture into the washing machine. For this reason, avoid washing right before bedtime or before going to work in the morning.

• Use the Self Clean function once a month: Use the self-clean function with washing machine cleaner like Affresh to help soften, scrub and remove any built up behind the drum and in the system in general. Sanitize or Pure Cycle are just another name for Self-Clean, refer to user manual for the correct name for the customer model.

Note: During the wash cycle, the machine does not fill up to the maximum level, but during the rinse cycle the drum is filled to the maximum level and if the drum/tub has mold/scum built up on it, then during the rinse cycle the water and residue mixes and leave a bad smell on the customer's laundry.

• Dilute your fabric softener: Concentrated fabric softener can become deposited in the detergent drawer and on the front door seal. Once deposited, the softener can become sticky, allowing the dirt from the clothes to adhere to those surfaces. If the washing debris builds up, it can cause bad smell. To prevent softener build-up, dilute the concentrated fabric softener by adding water to the fabric softener. The mixture should be 1/6 fabric softener and 5/6 water.
• Clean the drain filter: The drain filter should be cleaned periodically to prevent odors. Lint that is saturated with soap and fabric softener will stay in the drain filter to prevent damage to the drain pump. However, a clogged filter will prevent dirty water from draining fast enough and that can cause bad smell.

Warning: Turn off the washer, and then unplug the power cord, refer to the images above:

1. Gently press the top area of the filter cover to open.
2. Remove the plug from the drain tube to drain the system (have a tray ready to collect the water).
3. Drain the system (approximately 1 liter of water).
4. Turn the pump filter knob (A) counterclockwise, and then drain the remaining water.
5. Clean the pump filter using a soft brush.
6. Reinsert the pump filter, and then turn the filter knob clockwise.

• Do not over load your washer: An overloaded washer does not remove the proper amount of moisture from the clothes. The excess moisture remains in the bottom of the drum, and this can cause an odor. Medium load is recommended.

• Level the washer: A washer that is not level (especially if it is tilted forward) tends to leave water, detergent, and fabric softener in the detergent drawer after a wash. As time passes, detergent can build-up and emit a sour odor. A sign that your washer is unbalanced is when your clothes are still very wet after the final spin cycle.

* Warning: If there is a burning smell, then the washer requires service.

* Note: If customer calls back stating that they tried the above instructions, but it still smells, then the washer requires service.

Affresh:

• This is available at local stores (e.g., Walmart, Target, etc.). These are slow-dissolving foaming tablets that you put directly into the drum (without clothes in the unit).
• You should follow the instructions on the "Affresh" package. "Affresh" tablets work to penetrate, dissolve, and remove the residue that can build up in the washing machine.
• In addition, you can try using the following cleaning agents in a hot water cycle (without clothes): 1/2 cup of Cascade + bleach + vinegar.

How to clean the detergent drawer:

To thoroughly clean the detergent drawer, follow the procedure below:

• Press and release the lever on the inside of the dispenser and pull the dispenser drawer out.
• Remove the siphon cap from the fabric softener and bleach compartments.
• Wash all the parts under running water.
• Clean the dispenser recesses with a soft brush.
• Re-insert the siphon cap and push firmly into place.
• Re-install the detergent draw.
• Run a rinse and spin cycle with no load in the washer. Add a cup of chlorine bleach to the liquid bleach dispenser.

How to SELF-CLEAN:

Over time, residue from washer detergent (which is made from animal fats), soil, lime scale, and iron can collect in washing machines, which produces odors.

To eliminate odor, run cleansing cycles to sanitize the machine.

• Silver Care: If their washer is equipped with "Silver Care", run a complete "Silver Care" cycle with no laundry in the machine and use washing machine cleaner like "Affresh" or Bleach. This will remove bacteria from the washer.
• Sanitize Cycle: If their washer does not have "Silver Care", run a "Sanitize" cycle with no laundry in the machine using hot water and bleach. You may have to run a few cycles to remove the odor from your machine. Not all washers have a "Sanitize" cycle. If your washer does not have a "Sanitize" cycle, run a Hot Cycle or Pure Cycle.
• Pure Cycle: This is a cycle exclusively designed to cleanse the machine. Your washer will prompt you to run a Pure Cycle after every 40 loads, but you can run this cycle any time. Pure Cycle uses 150 degrees F water and spins the drum for 2 hours to break up persistent detergent, soil, lime and calcium deposits that may have accumulated in the drum over time. This helps eliminate and prevent odors.

Warning: You should NEVER run a cleansing cycle with clothes in the unit. It will damage both your laundry and your washing machine.