Question about Maytag Neptune MAH55FL Front Load Washer

Mildew smell and sound of water

I recently bought a neptune washer and dryer, my husband said it had good reviews but after having some problems with ours I did some research myself and found out otherwise. I have read everyone's problems with their washers but none of them seem to describe them same problem I am having. When you open the washer it smells like mildew, and you can hear water behind the drum. My washer washes my clothes fine and it drains and spins and fuctions properly. I however don't particularly like to open the door and smell mildew it is gross.

2 more comments
okfine Dec 03, 2007

Hi, I have the same problem. I tryed to google the service bulletin, but could'nt find it either. Will try what was suggested. Also, I'm wondering....isn't there some kind of filter to clean? we have pets, and I'm sure there is a bunch of muck somewhere.
Anonymous May 11, 2008

we have the same problem also and are considering replacing with another brand if we can't find a solution. Cleaned out washer, used bleach and run water in empty washer.
teacherC May 31, 2008

ditto on the problem here too. The rubber seal that you see when you open the door is full of black spots. I have tried to wipe it down with bleach, comet, pine sole ... and so far NOTHING have help. It is frustrating and now I am beginning to notice that everything smells.
gatewaygirl Jun 29, 2008

same problem here, makes clothes smell horrible.

new problem is washer will not spin, door lock malfunction,

and tear in rubber gasket around door/tub.

maytag knows all about the thousands of defective units yet is only willing to acknoweledge a few.why charge thousands for junk? watch out maytag,

what comes around goes around.

1 Answer

Ron Marek

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878 Answers

Momma, Maytag put out a service bullitin on this problem. TB26-72. This is a common problem on your model. Why don't you google the service bullitin and it will give you the instructions they have for this problem. If you can't find it, post back and I will post them for you...Catriver...post back.

Posted on Sep 22, 2006

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1 Answer

I have a Maytag Neptune model # MAH5500BWW. It appears that there is still water inside the tub after completing a wash cycle. I only noticed it as I tried to get a stuck sock from the top of the tub and...

the noise you're describing is normal - there is water in a sealed balance ring on the inner tub. To get rid of the mildew and smell, leave door open after cycle and use something like Affresh or "Smelly washer" stuff monthly or more often.

Vlad,
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Smells like mold or mildew

Wash an empty load with bleach. This may wash out mold or mildew stuck in the water lines and pump. If it seems to help, do it again.
This is for internal issues.
If the problem is external, the machine may just need a good cleaning.

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Don't know if this is the same as your problem, but I had a Kenmore washer, (made by Whirlpool) that did the same thing. It was a high efficiency model without an agitator. I finally found out that this type of washer never drains completely but always has some water left in it. This water is somewhere internal that cannot be seen unless the machine is taken apart. That water goes bad and stinks. Everything smelled like mildew and for some while my husband thought I was was washing clothes and leaving them in until they dried. I ended up having to just buy a new machine and when the stinky washer was taken away, just tilting it caused all this foul water to come out everywhere. Also I found this on the internet http://www.consumeraffairs.com/homeowners/lg_washing_machine.html
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Water between the drum is a common problem with not only front load but top load as well.
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Affresh

Try reliable parts. There are many locations across Canada and the US. You might also get the Affresh tablets at an appliance retailer or hardware store but I'm not sure.

http://www.reliableparts.com/

Here are some (mixed) reviews of the affresh tablets. http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_708669_whirlpool_affresh_washer_cleaner_reviews#reviews

but like I said in my post, you may have to run a few full cycles with the tablets to get a smelly washer clean and then maintain it by using the product every 1-3 months or so.

You could also try this product: http://www.smellywasher.com/

This is an review on their site:
"I have to tell you I am very pleased. Having an acute sense of smell, I always get teased for smelling odors that others don't. For about 6 months we've had a mold/mildew odor in our 1 1/2 year old washer. I found your site on the internet and ordered SmellyWasher.
I can tell you my husband was amazed at all the mold coming up and I felt "vindicated". Here is the other interesting side of things. Coinciding with the smell of the constant mold/mildew for the last 6 months has been the fact that I have been constantly sick. I came down with cold after cold after respiratory sickness along with the rest of the family since Thanksgiving. I was literally getting sick of being sick. The last bout was bronchitis with whooping cough.
After I did the cleaning out of the washer with your product and removed all the mold/mildew, I have NOT gotten sick since and have had 2-3 weeks without any respiratory problems. I have come to believe that it has something to do with me cleaning out the mold, and no mold residue on towels or clothing. My husband is coming to believe this also. It's so nice to breath in and NOT smell the mold.......
I love your product and have told several people about it.”

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Water isn't completely draining

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