Stubborn Front Loader Washer Stink No More!

We've published several episodes about front loader washer stink, but sometimes the smell can be really persistent!
#laundry #washingmachine #frontloadwashingmachine
Viewers have given a lot of positive feedback on other episodes we've published on keeping a front loader washer pristine and smelling fresh. One of the episodes featured viewer tips and insights. The vast majority of the time, viewers have said the practices solved the odor problem and returned their washer to "like new" performance.
It usually boils down to ventilating the machine to allow it to dry internally and properly using laundry products, typically using much less than one would think is needed. They don't call these machines "high efficiency (HE)" for nothing!
However, some have had persistent machine odor problems. In this episode, DirtFarmerJay shows the top three practices that can address where residues have built up in the machine and are resistant to maintenance practices. In these stubborn cases, these problem residues and build-ups need to be addressed to "reset" the machine.
We really enjoy our machine and have now entirely eliminated ANY odor or significant residue accumulation. We're confident you can enjoy the same experience.
Just Do It Yourself!

[@bottomup12]

Wow, I dug a little deeper than I normally do and found a bunch of moldy lint build up around the rubber seal. Hard to get under the seal, but that’s where it was. Thanks for the video!

[@WilliamAlanPhoto]

Good info DFJ! Thank you!

[@brianhillis3701]

I keep an old wash cloth on top and dry everything especially where you put the soap and keep the door and dispenser open. Clean the debris trap clean like you mentioned. This was a very good presentation.

[@ghix]

Thank You Mr. Farmer……everything from cords to washing machines I love it.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Our pleasure!

[@donbutler838]

Great video.

[@douggraves8958]

Our front loader stunk so bad despite me holding family meetings about the importance of leaving the door open and not doing a load and failing to guide that load to the drier. After a service, the tech told me to use half the amount of soap and rinse. Of course the family thinks everything I tell them is in one ear and out the next. I did everything Jay suggested and now the machine is sweet, sweet, sweet. Thanks.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Doug, I'm glad to hear that you were able to get your machine back to its sweet-smelling self! Thanks for letting us know! Best, DFJ

[@kaylac3367]

Great tips. Thanks ❤️

[@Angie-ci1lp]

Thanks for sharing! Done

[@joannab1692]

🎉 Thank you so much! Stupendous tips!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad to be of help!

[@xoxocindy143]

I have a Samsung front loader 2020 with stubborn mold smell. I tried everything!!! And the smell wouldn’t go away. Thank you Jay for the advice. I had to put bleach and hot water like you suggested for 3 cycles because of the amount of detergent that was there. I also learned I used the wrong amount of detergent, using too much which caused the problem. But after following Jays bleach and hot water trick, the issue is finally solved

[@DirtFarmerJay]

YAY! Glad to hear that you were persistent enough to get this solved. With basic on-going maintenance and running a tub cleaner through your machine from time to time, you'll enjoy great odor-free performance from your washer for years to come. Thanks for writing! Best, DFJ

[@nicholasblohowiak29]

So happy you did the demonstration on an LG. Me and the misses have the same model. Thanks again 👍

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Glad to help! Best, DFJ

[@43reretrttwtwet]

Thank you! 🙏❤️🙏

[@tlbryant88]

My original Whirlpool is now 20 years old and I wash daily due to multiple animals in the house. It is a high mileage machine and has NEVER stunk and I just left door open even though the cats would jump and close it quite often. I also used powdered soap for years which I recently found out is easier on the machine than the liquid stuff. When I use liquid my owners manual said I could use the non-HE and use only 1/2. I read an article that said we are told to use too much soap so I used way less than half, saving me a fortune over the years. I also read that it's the animal products in the liquid soap that mess up our front loaders and in my experience that seems correct because my pull out tray turned black when I started using liquids and quit using powder simply because the store quit carrying powder. NOW I bought another house and asked them to leave the newer Whirlpool since mine is getting so old and occasionally gives me an error. I have tried everything but this thing STINKS! I have washed a dog bed 5 times using various soaps, smell beads, vinegar, bleach, as well as various cycles and it still stinks. My sheets are creamy white and I can still see where they have been sweated on. My old whirlpool is one of the original front load models. I had a roommate that still raves about my old machine being awesome at cleaning things. I've noticed it washes circles around all the other front loaders that I've used over the past couple of years. I'm really disappointed in whatever Whirlpool did to ruin their product over the years. It got worse instead of better. Hey, but it's got all those really cool bells, lights, and songs that it plays so that must mean something, right?????? Nope.

[@tracyjohnson5023]

I bought my front load whirlpool in 2004 and I agree wholeheartedly with you. I started getting error codes 2 years ago and then the drum motor quit. So I bought a new one, steam function on it. Even with the steam and hot water wash, not as good as old one in cold water. I got a wild hair and contacted whirlpool...turns out the old one has lifetime warranty on drum motor, so they sent part. Put it in, reset and no more error codes. I sold the new one, as I have an old top load Maytag in the garage for horse blankets and dog beds. It's indestructible lol. As for powder detergent, an appliance repair guy told me to always use it because much better for life of machine. I guess that's why it's hard to find now.

[@bottomup12]

I bought a fan unit that attaches with magnets on the back vent. I turn the fan on for an hour after your done to help move air. Also, draining the tub using drain tube gets rid of the remaining water.

[@tomwilling9643]

Well put

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks! Best, DFJ

[@MichaelNewmanII]

I do a full clean once a month with tub clean cycle and vinegar, we have a large family so a lot of laundry gets processed

[@normanjones5076]

I take out the dispenser, wipe down the dispenser opening, and dispenser. Then, I leave the dispenser in the drum after every use. Ohh and the inner door gasket gets wiped down with a Lysol wipe and dried with a Terry towel cloth.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for the tips!

[@dubs2171]

Using afresh now. Replaced outer tub and all 3 shock absorbers on my LG. Hope it fixed the issue. Now it smell like sewer. If this doesn’t work I will try the bleach and hot water trick. I think I should clean out filter as well.

[@pauletteispassingiton943]

Use dry detergent…no more mold

[@marygracea7581]

Do you have a insight on substituting vinegar (or other cleaning agent) for bleach for households that are on a septic system? Otherwise, I’m interested in trying these recommendations.

[@tracyjohnson5023]

When you say septic system, you mean city hook up instead of your own septic tank? I have my own septic tank and when I use bleach I wait a few days and put the septic good bacteria stuff in toilet and flush. Bleach kills the good bacteria in septic tank that eats the solid stuff. I've never had septic tank pumped in 17 years. I use white vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser as it gets residue out of clothes and nothing smells like vinegar. Liquid fabric softeners are not great for machine or clothes. Use dryer sheet if you must. I've never had an issue with vinegar eroding rubber seals in washing machine.

[@arricammarques1955]

Citric acid + Oxy clean does the job.

[@FLVIPHomes]

Thank you for this!!!!!!! Of course you could imagine why I found you lol. One question: When I went to drain the drain and the filter and not much water came out the drain but a LOT of water came out the filter hole...does that mean something might be clogged before it gets to the little drain down there? My appliance repairman was of NO help at all.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Amy, I had to noodle this one a bit. So, when you undid the drain hose and unplugged it, only a little water came out, but when you unscrewed the filter trap, a significant amount of water gushed out? If so, you are on the right track. The purpose of the small drain hose is to get the water out of the filter compartment before you open it. If water is remaining in it, likely it indeed does have a clog. I would run something flexible back up the tube, such as a thin wire, or flexible plastic tubing, and see if you can clear it out. Let me know how this turns out. Best, DFJ

[@FLVIPHomes]

@@DirtFarmerJay ok yes that's what was happening and that makes sense. I'll try that, thank you!

[@nicholasblohowiak29]

@@DirtFarmerJay I had to do this same exact thing with my cousins washer.

[@rondijcks9162]

I”ve scrubbed the inside of the Rubber Seal, Taken apart the 3 agitators inside the tub and did clean a lot of gunk out. BUT the smell persists, because I think there is MORE, much MORE gunk in the Reservoir, that the tub spins in. THAT I cannot easily get to .

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Don't give up. Run a regular cycle, with the water temp set to the hottest setting your machine has. Don't put any product in the dispenser. Instead, before running the cycle, add a gallon of very hot water with a cup of chlorine bleach in it to the main tub. Then run the cycle. If see suds forming, it's cleaning out the residue in the inner tub. You may have to do this a few times until you don't see any more suds forming, and the smell is gone. Let me know how it turns out. Best, DFJ

[@ralphmittman9530]

been waiting for your pimped up gorilla cart video. Is it out yet?

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Ralph, we expect to publish that in a month or two. It's in the production schedule! Thanks for the follow up. Best, DFJ

[@FixItWithMe]

What do u do if u take out the black tube to drain it and it’s clogged?? How do I unclog it?!? Thanks!

[@DirtFarmerJay]

You can take a thin wire or a stiff cable tie and get the gunk out the tube. Let me know how it turns out. Best, DFJ

[@uponsunnah6986]

All that bleach will drain first thing as soon as you start the washer. Best to wait for it to drain and then open the machine to add bleach.

[@DirtFarmerJay]

Thanks for sharing. Good insight.

[@patl3854]

What a giant pain in the butt!Why would you want an appliance that requires that much babying? I have a front loader in my apartment and I hate it. My towels and sometimes the clothes come out stiff after drying in the dryer. I've tried adjusting the detergent all over the place, tried adding water to the clothes before washing, and using the bulky cycle hoping for more water usage, and nothing works. Wish I could be rid of this stupid machine.