Smelly HE washer

chickadeejay · January 2011

Hi there,

Any suggestions for helping get rid of the mold buildup/smell in my HE washing machine? I saw an ad yesterday for a Tide Washing Machine Cleaner product, but I'm not going to buy Tide! I've read that bleach can help but I'd prefer not to use bleach.

Thanks!

foundmydr1 · January 2011

There's a way to clean it with a round of vinegar although I had to google it when I had that problem. Something about starting with a round of vinegar mixed with water then maybe stopping the cycle to sit a bit......then finishing.

Now I make sure to leave the door open after the wash is over and let things dry out. I never had this problem with my non-HE washers so I wonder what's up.

peachypear · January 2011

IDK if this makes you feel better, but it's a really common complaint with HE front loaders.

Leaving the door open between washes makes a BIG difference. I also try to clean out the rubber gasket around the door regularly. Even just drying it with a towel helps.

debyeb7 · January 2011

I haven't had this problem yet - my washer is new, but I have been leaving the door open in between washes and drying the rubber part with a sock before throwing it in the dryer. There ends up being a lot of water left in the rubber part.

Johlise · January 2011

I would give Vinegar and Tea Tree or Clove Essential oil a try. Make sure that you only use a small amount of Ess. Oil and do an extra rinse cycle, but it should help. Another tip is to never leave you washer door closed when it isn't running, so always open a crack. GL

juno · January 2011

My parents and I have had our washers the same amount of time (2+ years). I leave the door open and my dad refuses to leave theirs open. Admittedly they are different brands, but their washer is disgusting now, and mine looks like new. I really do think it makes all the difference in the world to leave the door open.

zelda25 · January 2011

Bleach would be my go-to for getting rid of a serious mildew problem (which is what you're dealing with); it would only take one cycle to kill it.

Barring that, I would run cycles with vinegar on hot until the smell is gone, and leave the door open after that. We only close the washer door when the washer is in use and have never had a problem with mildew.

madladybride · January 2011

I'd try the vinegar and if that doesn't work, I would switch to bleach.. Also, we usually leave our door open and, when I remember, I do wipe the gasket out. We've had it almost a year and never had any problems.

chickadeejay · January 2011

Thanks for all the tips! I'll try vinegar and keeping the door open more. Ours doesn't open just a crack --- if it's open, it's open aaaallll the way, which really annoys me for some reason! But not as much as the smell, so I guess I have to get over it.

bostonjen · January 2011

Vinergar might work. Also, my sister told me that once she cleaned hers (she used the bleach product) she switched to powder detergent and hasn't had a problem since. She doesn't leave it open between washes.

CheriCO · January 2011

I'm pretty sure my boss said he used Borax to tackle this problem with his HE front loader.

Smelly HE washer

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