Moldy smell in front load kenmore washer

How about a class action lawsuit? I'm not much for lawyers, but this seems to be an overwhelming problem that the manufacturers don't seem to want to address.

Unfortunatly, I have used the material from smellywasher.com and it has not worked. I have used at least half a bottle, via the instructions, and I still have the smell. I am not mecanically inclined but at the point of tearing the machine apart. Before I do that, are there any other solutions?

Are we all out of our minds that we are trying to find solutions to an outrage that should be placed directly on the doorstep of maunufacturers where it belongs? Since when should we have to practically stand on our heads and jump through hoops to do laundry for crying out loud!

OK, I admit it. I am angry.

I am furious and it is over something as stupid as a washing machine! Yes, you heard me, a WASHING MACHINE!!!!

New government regulations for new water efficiency washing machines has my family’s clothing smelling like a stinking, rancid, moldy basement! This is absolutely absurd! I have been told to change laundry detergent, run hot bleach water through my washer and, get this; my washing machine is 1 year old and my clothes smell filthy!!! The mold and mildew from these nasty machines have wreaked havoc through skin rashes and allergies in my children!

I paid $1,000.000 for this da*ned washing machine and THIS is what is being sold to the public under the disguise of efficiency!!?? I have been on the phone about this problem. I have, over the past 3 months, with a technician on the phone, been instructed to do the following:

#Make sure I use high efficiency detergent. THAT will fix my problem.
Wrong.
*Cleaned the lint trap (..that is stupidly behind a metal access plate that you have to use a screwdriver to remove screws to get to it EVERY TIME) and THAT will fix my problem.
Wrong!
*Cleaned the water hoses; THAT will fix my problem.
Wrong!
*Cleaned the gasket around the door. THAT will fix my problem
Wrong!
*Cleaned the tub with bleach water. THAT will fix my problem.
WRONG!
*REMOVED the hoses and cleaned the pump. THAT will fix my problem.
WRONG AGAIN!
*Take the pump out entirely and clean all inlet, outlets and hoses. THAT will fix my problem.
WRONG! WRONG!! WRONG!!!

NONE of this fixed my problem of filthy, wet, stinking, rancid clothing that has endangered my family's health! I even washed my children's clothing out by hand in the bathtub and put them in the washer just to rinse and spin and they STILL smelled horrific.

Finally, at the end of my rope, I returned to the appliance store from which I purchased this machine and they have told me that they cannot accept a return. They will not accept a return and I have to deal directly with GE. I HAVE dealt with GE up until the final straw when I they told me I needed a new pump, but so sorry, your warranty JUST expired 3 days ago!!!

Furthermore, my pump was fine. I did NOT need a new pump and have now been told that I cannot return the new, unused pump that cost me another $183.00. I have now been told that this is a problem with ALL front loading washing machines and I should do the following:

*First, run a full complete wash cycle on hottest setting containing Bleach – * Note: wash cycle takes 1 hour and 20 minutes
*Next, run a full wash cycle on hottest setting using high efficiency laundry detergent for another 1 hour and 20 minutes
*Next, run a full wash cycle on hottest setting using Cascade automatic dish washing detergent for an ADDITIONAL 1 hour and 20 minutes
*Next, using Bleach water, wipe down entire interior of washing machine
*Next, using clean white cloth, wipe entire interior of washing machine dry
*Next, leave door ajar to air out machine

*Finally, I have now been informed that I cannot use fabric softener in the machine even though there is a fabric softener dispenser right in the machine because the new front loading machines cannot handle fabric softener!!

Furthermore, I was told that this is new technology and since it is so new, no one really knew these kinds of problems were going to manifest themselves and I just need to try to work with these problems because it is not the manufacturers fault but the GOVERNMENT’S fault! Sorry.

Are you kidding me??

Now I have a $1000.00 piece of junk that the appliance companies are pawning off on unsuspecting consumers and hiding their horrible designs by blaming the government.

So, now this is what I want!

I want the legislature to force manufacturers to properly inform the public of these problems and those who did NOT inform consumers of these issues, COMPENSATE their customers for the $$$$$ it has cost us and the misery and frustration caused by THEIR neglect by NOT informing the consumers of these issues. I want this to be retroactive BACK to at least the year 2005. Furthermore, I want compensated for the cost of buying a top loading washing machine in an effort to keep our families away from the mold and mildew and filthy mess this has caused! Finally, I want manufacturers to own up to the fact that they disregarded the health and safety of consumers in their efforts to profit as much as possible while touting efficiency.

Now I have heard that they have a new 'product' they can sell to us to inhibit the stench of mold and mildew. This is absolutely unacceptable!

This is outrageous and we need to speak out about this and make sure our voices are heard!

I had this same problem from the get-go with my Kenmore Elite HE3 machine. What finally worked for me (after having a technician out who basically told me the machine was a lemon) was running an empty load with bleach to kill the smell, then only using powder detergent and leaving the door ajar in between loads. I haven't had any odor since. Good luck!

What you all are forgetting and I can vogue for this and prove it because we ripped our washer down......and I have pics... the mold will collect behind the SS tub in the plastic drum housing... every repair man told me NO POSSIBLE WAY!!!! well I was so sick of being sick and my husband decided time to buy a new washer we did and a (top loader i will add). and when the top loader was delivered we ripped the front loader totally apart (any one that would like to see pics you can email it) but be forewarned they are GROSS!!!

I have done all the maintenance they have recommended and nothing helped (bleach, cascade, OXY, vinegar, leaving door open (which i may remind anyone is a risk if you have toddlers ) oh yes and lets not forget the washer magic they push down your throat to buy every time a sears tech comes out) I have a family of 6....4 girls and 2 of them babies so I have a lot of laundry....I will be more then happy to share what we found was hiding in the washer's this is not something you can see until you rip it totally down.

CJ

I know exactly what it is. There is water under the rubber door seal that does not drain with the wash load. Left standing, you can get all kinds of awful smells.

This is a fairly common problem, where a bad odour comes from the washing machine, especially after a lot of low temp wash cycles. There is no component in the washer that can fail to cause a bad odour. In most cases,it will be from an external source, or the way the machine is used.
Reasons can cause the problem :
- liquid detergent - Do you use liquid detergent? There is no chlorine bleaching agents in liquid detergent and it has a tendency leave the machine smelling a bit after a while.
The cure is to do a "Maintenance Wash" (a boil wash with no clothes or detergent in) at least once a month, or you can use dishwasher cleaner or bicarbonate of soda, both are very effective.
-Backfilling from the house waste- Incorrectly installed of the stand-pipe outlet and/or U-bend, allowing dirty water from the drain to come back into the waher, via the outlet drain pipe. Check that no water coming slowly back to washer's tub when it's switched off.
Good luck !!!

Ok I got one for you. there is a lint trap on the washer that will directly affect the Draining of Water. On your GE Frontload washer and I assume you have one.

On the bottom of the washer you will find 4 blots holding the Pannel in place. "unplug the washer first" once the pannel is off you will find on the right a white cap that looks kind of like a gas cap for your car. unscrew it and watch out water is coming out so have 4 bath towles on had or shop vac, and if you have the lower draw stand a buck will help.

You will not believe what you will find. Clean it out and it will be like new.

We had 4 child about a yr after we got the washer, and one of his socks got stuck in this location, and created all kinds of issue, and one was water not coming out of the tub and started to smell.

I sell a completely natural washing machine cleaner at www.smellywasher.com that is guaranteed to remove both front load and top load washing machine odor by simply adding a tablespoon of cleaner to a hot wash. The cleaner also removes mildew smell from towels and clothing by washing with a tablespoon of the powder.
There are 24 treatments in each order.

I've just been doing some research in how to get rid of the smell when the washer stinks. I found a site called smellywasher.com which claimed to have a solution. They sell something called "purewasher" which is meant to get rid of the smell. I have to say i ahve never used this product so I can't personally vouch for it. However it appears to have good reviews ...the site says it has "featured on nationally syndicated radio shows and newspaper columns such as Glenn Haege's "America's Master Handyman"."

It could be worth checking out? I may give it a go and tell you what i think after i've used it.

Steve from http://www.washing-machine-wizard.com

We've had our Fridgidaire front load washer for 6 years now, and until about 2 months ago, it smelled absolutely horrible. I tried the things I was told to do....hot water/bleach cycle, wiping the slime from the rubber seal, and leaving the door open....it didn't work.

I was told about Norwex laundry detergent - Norwex is a company which produces green cleaning products - the detergent is a quickly biodegradable, highly concentrated powder, and all I need is 1/4 - 1/2 a teaspoon per load. After about one week of using the Norwex detergent I noticed that the smell was completely gone and hasn't returned! Also, the gross slime that used to collect in the rubber seal is no longer a problem. I've been so wonderfully amazed!

I don't know why this detergent fixes the smell problem, but I've talked with others who have had the same great results with it - their smell issue was solved. Perhaps it's because it contains no animal fat products?

Another benefit of the Norwex detergent is how economical it is - it comes in a 2kg bag for about $25, and in a front load machine you will get approx. 800 loads from it using the above mentioned quantity/load! It's really an amazing product! You can buy it online - www.Norwex-Healthy-Cleaning.com is a great site to buy from. Good luck with the smell!

Shaklee laundry products are made without animal fats -- your machine will not get moldy/stinky. My machine is a year old and no smell. My sister has had her front load Maytag for over 2 years and NO SMELL.

Smellywasher cleaner is a completely organic powder that is used to clear fungus from any clothes washer. It works by disallowing cohesive properties between organic and synthetic compounds. The cleaner is used by adding a small amount (1 tablespoon normally suffices) to a hot setting in your washer and allowing it to complete the cycle.
In order to remove fungus spores from towels and clothing use just one teaspoon of cleaner instead of detergent. Rinse and dry as normal.
This product is super simple and works great!
Smelly Washer

Followed a previously posted suggestion of taking off the front panel and draining the lint trap. The mold growth was at least 1/4 inch thick in there (3 year old machine) and I found a rusty quarter, penny and a nail. Running a cleaning cycle now to kick out the rest of the mold that was in a rubber hose leading to the lint trap that I couldn't reach. Hoping this is the solution. So far the lint trap was at least PART of the problem.

Now, why doesn't Kenmore mention this in their manual?? Seems like an annual (if not semi-annual) routine they should mention.

The thing that has worked by far the best for me is leaving washer open when not in use and most importantly * Arm & Hammer with Oxy Clean*(and a liquid fab softner) That is the ONLY laundry soap that doesn't leave that smell. But took a couple of washes to get the other smell out of clothes in the first place. I am not affiliated in any way with them! But do not want them to discontinue it!!

I had a similar problem with my front loading washer. I've switched to a natural cleaner called "soap nuts" in the liquid version. This product has very load suds and it's eliminated the smell in my machine. The clothes smell great and you don't even need to use fabric softener. I ordered from www.myorganicstyle.com and there is additional information on the website. Hope this helps!

We've had my Kenmore 417 frontloader for 8+ years and it has just started to smell. It's not horrible yet, but I'm going to try the many suggestions already listed. Also, we've been seeing more hardwater deposits than we used to.

I think it would be really helpful if posters included the make, model, and age of the washer, and more importantly, what kind of detergent is used. We've recently changed to Chlorox 2 HE compatible liquid detergent, away from Tide and Trader Joes brand. Maybe we should switch back .

Thanks everyone

Here's another that may help:

Put bleach only, no laundry in it. Just let it cycle like you are doing a load of wash. You might also try vinegar, it's supposed to get rid of odors.

Timonty from http://www.washingmachineadvisor.com

Out power co. is giving away free Kenmore front loading washers.
Sears brought it out and it sat outside for a few hours until the plumber came to bring it in my double wide.

I went outside to look at it and opened the door and it stuck to high Heaven. I hadn't even used it yet.

I asked the guy who installed it why it stuck and he said it is just a new smell. No, this isn't new smell. Worse than rotten eggs.
A smell like I have never smelled before.

I got this on Thursday and today is only Monday. I left the door open and it still stinks. It really makes it hard for me with the door open as the handle sticks out farther than my Sears top loader did and I have to scrape either the handle or my outside door as my new walker is now too wide where it went out easy with my old washer that still worked.

They are giving these washers away so we will use less energy and less water. That is wonderful but they didn't tell me it would stink and I have COPD which is now really making it hard for me to breathe.

Does someone use these washers that look like new and are still in the box?
Please Help.

I have a GE and tried checking the "drain" mentioned earlier. I found a toddler sock. I definatly recommend checking this if you have an issue, and a GE washer

AMEN! To Solution #4, Posted by Guest on Dec.12. I have the same problems with my Bosch washer. The darn thing doesn't use enough water to wash the clothes properly and all my clothes stink!

I am buying a new top load washer. I am sorry I wasted $2600 on the pair I bought just 3 years ago. my old set was so much better.

Throw your washer out the window (if you can), otherwise just save your money and keep it and let it stink up your house, because none of the solutions on this website work once the smell heightens to "rancid cauliflower/bird poop/rubber." Once you've hit that smell, it's done for. It's officially reached the point of no return.!!