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And I cringed just a little bit because I pride myself on using lots of good-smelling laundry stuff so everything is clean and soft and fresh. (Plus, I haven't used Bounce in years. I use Downey. The Fresh Linen scent. And the Lavendar on sheets, which is sleep-inducing.)
But I kind of knew what he was talking about, because I've noticed that same, mildewy smell. Coming from my washing machine.
(To be completely honest, I thought it was my fault. We have an outside dog who is not house-trained and when it gets really hot in the summertime, we let her inside and keep her in the laundry room. Only she would pee in there and it would get up under the washer and dryer where I couldn't clean it up. So I started laying down some big old towels in there for her. So when she peed, the towels soaked it up. Then I would throw the towels out in the garage until I washed them. Only one time, I think I kind of put some of the pee towels in the washer. And maybe closed the door. And left them in there for a day or two. I can't remember why now, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. Or at least like an okay idea. And then my washer took on this strong stench of ammonia. I thought it would go away after a few washes, and it did, sort of. It's not so strong now. And not so ammonia-y.)
So I decided today to go online and see what the recommended procedure is for deodorizing one's washing machine. And it turns out this mildewy smell in front-load washers is a fairly common problem.
Here is some solutions I've found that I'm trying out today:
- Pulled out the detergent/bleach/fabric softener dispenser drawer and cleaned it thoroughly with hot water and bleach (There was some mildew growth on the back of it.)
- Ran an empty load of hot water and bleach
- Threw out all my liquid HE detergent, which was almost empty anyway (although I'm holding on to my Downey for now)
- Went to the store and bought powder HE detergent, white vinegar, and a couple varieties of dryer sheets
- Am currently running a second empty load, this time with hot water, detergent and vinegar
- Will then run an empty load of hot water to rinse everything out of the machine before I put clothes back into it
- Will then wash a test load of towels with powder detergent and dryer sheets
- If the smell does not come back, I will eventually add back the Downey and see if that makes the smell return
Do you have a front-load washer? Have you noticed a problem like this? What did you do to get rid of it? How have you kept it from returning?
8 comments:
I have the same smell and I have not found a way to get rid of it totally. Let me know if what all you have done works...
I have a top-load Calypso washer and it does the same thing. I can't use the powder HE detergent in it, though, because it doesn't dissolve all the way in cold water and makes my delicate darks look spotty. I try to clean around the seal now and then but I'm not sure what else to do.
well it seems to have worked so far. I did a load of towels after all that and they definitely came out smelling much fresher.
B - I'm not familiar w/ the Calypso top load (I'm assuming it's low-water) but can't you add the detergent first into the water so that it dissolves before adding the clothes? I know there's a detergent - Tide, I think? - that's made specifically to dissolve in cold water, but it's probably not HE.
The Calypso doesn't so much fill with water as it gives your clothes a shower. It's constantly draining, unless you specify a "soak" cycle. It's kind of a pain in the ass, frankly. I wouldn't get one again.
I thought I was the only one!!
I did what the manual said to do, which was clean the detergent drawer, leaving the washer door open as well as leaving the detergent drawer open when not in use. I did the cleaning cycle. Twice.
I even installed a small fan in the laundry room pointed right at the open door of the washer to make sure it gets dried out good.
I still have stinky towels. I even use Downey on them, but I can still pick up a trace of stink.
If it is just the towels that are stinking wash them in hot water and add a small amount of Clorox Ultimate Care. The cotton scent smells great.
Try the Pure Essentials products. I have been using the Tide, Downy and Bounce in the white lilac scent and EVERYTHING smells great!
I have a front-loader too, but never had an issue unless I leave a load in too long. But I wash a lot with HOT water. And I have a special wash for our towels (which are white). One hot cycle with bleach, and one with plain hot water. You'd be surprised how much soap those towels hold onto. Even though I use HE liquid detergent (Costco brand, dye & fragrance free), I only use half the amount needed. Also, clean the seal and the dispensers, as stuff will tend to build-up in both. Good luck!
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