QUESTION FROM jgalbee

Why does my front load washing machine have an odor after running a load of clothes. There is no smell in the clothes. I have heard this has to do with the gasket around the door, if this is true what can I do about it?

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

jgalbee:

I assume that the odor that you are referring to that comes from your front load washer is a "mold or mildew" type smell? If so, this actually a common problem that occurs with front load washers. It is caused by water sitting on the gasket that goes around the door (which explains by you have heard it was related to something with the door). There are a couple of things that you can do to eliminate this odor problem with your front load washer. First, after each washer load, you can try leaving the door open, so that the water around the door gasket can thoroughly dry out. Second, to get rid of the mold and mildew that has built up in your washer, you can try using products such as "Purewasher" (which you can find at www.smellywasher.com) or "Whirlout" (which you can find at http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/WhirlOut.aspx ).

We hope this solves your problem.
Sincerely,
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION FROM Donna

stinky towels

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Donna:

I assume by "stinky towels" that you mean that washing in your washing machine leaves your towels smelling funny?

If you haven't already, you might want to try white vinegar and running an empty load with your washer on the highest temperature setting. Let your washer start to fill for about 30 seconds, and then pour in about one-half cup of white vinegar into the machine's soap drawer. Then let it run empty through its entire cycle.

If this doesn't work for you, then you might want to try treating your washing machine with "Purewasher", which you can purchase at http://www.smellywasher.com/

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION FROM CHERYL MCKENTY

My 5 year old front loading washer smells sour even though I routinely leave the door open and finally ran an empty load with 1 cup bleach followed by an empty load with 2 cups vinegar. Fortunately, the smell does not transfer to our clothes, but it quite unpleasant in the room if the washer door gets even only half open. Can you recommend another method of cleaning?

Thanks.

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Cheryl:

The "sour" odor from your front load washer could be due to a mold or mildew, as this is a very common problem that occurs with front load washers. It is caused by water sitting on the gasket that goes around the door.

There are a couple of things that you can do to eliminate this odor problem with your front load washer. First, after each washer load you can try leaving the door open, so that the water around the door gasket can thoroughly dry out. Second, to get rid of the mold and mildew that has built up in your washer, you can try using products such as "Purewasher" (which you can find at www.smellywasher.com ) or "Whirlout" (which you can find at http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/WhirlOut.aspx ).

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION FROM Kim

We recently had a survey done on our house where the electrics and everything were checked. Quite literally a day later there was bad odour coming from the washing machine. We have done a maintenance wash recently and the machine had been fine for 2 years prior to this survey. Could anything under the sink have been tampered with to cause this?

many thanks

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear Kim:

Its hard to imagine what surveying your appliances could have done to have caused your washing machine to develop an odor the very next day. I'm wondering if its just a coincidence? I assume since you didn't mention it, that your washing machine is otherwise operating normally?

Regarding getting rid of the odor from your washing machine, assuming that this is a "mold or mildew" type smell, and that you have a front load washer? If so, this is actually a fairly common problem that occurs with front load washers. It is caused by water sitting on the gasket that goes around the door. There are a couple of things that you can do to eliminate this odor problem. First, after each washer load, you can try leaving the door open, so that the water around the door gasket can thoroughly dry out. Second, to get rid of the mold and mildew that has built up in your washer, you can try using products such as "Purewasher" (which you can find at www.smellywasher.com ) or "Whirlout" (which you can find at http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/WhirlOut.aspx ).

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com

QUESTION FROM Cara Mia

I noticed last night as my Kenmore washing machine was spinning it started to smell like burning smoke. I noticed when it was toward the end of the spin cycle and immediately turned it off. I noticed that there was about an inch of water in the bottom and the clothes were still soaked. I checked the spin cycle with the top open and it is spinning properly, but there is the smell of smoke. Could this just be a belt or does it sound like the motor is going out?

Thank you!

ANSWER FROM HOME-WIZARD

Dear Cara Mia:

From your description, yes, it sounds like your motor is failing. One way to test this is to unplug your washer and remove the belt, then plug your washer back in and briefly run the motor to see if you still get the burning smell.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com