I have an LG WM2487H*M washing machine that is about 15 months old. The washer and laundry room smell like mildew all the time. I have used the sanitize setting several times, I clean the door and rubber around the door after each use, and I use HE detergent exclusively. The annual checkup was performed in June, and the technician told my husband (i was not at home) to tell me to make sure I clean around the rubber, which I always do. I also leave the door open overnight after use to dry the tub. I have also stuffed a cloth into the drain holes to keep the "backup" smell from coming in through there. Nothing works. What is going on? I absolutely LOVE this machine and I paid a large chunk of money for it, but I certainly don't appreciate the SMELL! HELP!!!!!

It is ok to cry really. Several things happen with a front loader that don't with a top loader. These machines are more water tight but the problem lies with three things. Soap, water and your drain. First start from the drain and insure the gray hose is not constantly touching water as this will cause siphoning and build up in the pump. Two, make sure that you never use more than 1/4 cup soap liquid as this will create a base in the tub for mold and mildew to grow on, yuck! Three, is your water softened or do you have iron water. When looking at your washer you see that little door on the left bottom, did the tech explain what wonderful adventures await in there? I would open this and get familar with the features, behind this door is a large screw lid for the pump clean out and just to the left is a little white or black plug attached to a hose kinda stuck into the facia there. Get a bucket and pull the little hose with plug out enough to drain into a bucket. Some un plug and others you pull out. Once drained remove the large translucent plastic screw and see if you have any stuff in there. This is a place that I found odor to hide and once cleaned will remove half of your smell. Try spraying some peroxide in there as this is a great germ killer and the base behind oxi clean. Next I would get some affresh or washer magic. I prefer washer magic at first because it is mobile and with a rag can be placed everywhere. At this time I would pour half a bottle into the dispenser, some on a rag and wipe the bellows inside and out and then pour the remains into the basket and follow that with a pot of almost boiling water and let it sit for the night. In the morning I would run a normal hot wash to rinse it out.

Leave your door open on the washer at all times when not in use