My clothes smell like mildew

Did you check to see if it has a filter to it, If there is one that would most likely be the problem

You may need to clean the drum to your washing machine. Check all hoses and fluid cups.

Hello there:
please follow these simple steps
Instructions Things You'll Need:

• a level
• white distilled vinegar
• bleach
• baking soda

1. Step 1 Balance your washing machine. Standing water breeds mildew and mold. A washing machine that isn't level to the ground stands a higher chance of not draining completely. Take a level and place it on the top of the machine along the front from side to side and then again along the side from front to back. If the machine is very off, you can adjust the feet to compensate or add something under one of the feet if it is not flat against the ground. Portable washing machines are especially prone to have standing water because they are moved around and not leveled each time.
   
2. Step 2 Promptly remove your clothes at the end of a wash cycle. If you regularly leave the damp clothes in the washing machine for an extended period at the end of the cycle, you will have mildew in your clothes and your machine. The same is true if you put clean clothes in the dryer and they are not completely dry when the cycle ends and you don't go back for a few days to pull them out. Damp clothes in an enclosed space for days will mildew.
   
3. Step 3 Leave your washing machine door open in between uses which gives the machine the opportunity to fully dry out.
   
4. Step 4 Use white distilled vinegar in an empty machine. Run a load with only hot water and two cups of vinegar to clean out the machine and freshen the scent. Vinegar naturally eliminates odors and reduces the buildup of soap residue in the washer which contributes to mildew development. You can also add baking soda and/or bleach to the load for both their sanitizing properties as well as assisting in ridding the smell of mildew.
   
5. Step 5 Regularly use vinegar when you wash your clothes. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the last rinse cycle. Vinegar has acidic properties but it is mild enough that it will not harm your fabric. It does dissolve alkalines in laundry detergent which makes for cleaner and softer clothes. The reduction of detergent buildup in your machine will help to also reduce the incidence of mildew.
   
6. Step 6 If you have a front load washer, they are particularly prone to mildew and mold. Follow the manufacturers suggestion as to how much and what type of detergent should be used. It is generally less than the traditional top load washing machines. Once again, additional soap residue helps to breed mold and mildew. Also, pull the seals back from around the door and make sure there isn't a build up underneath them that needs to be cleaned out.
   
7. Step 7 Finally, if you have done all of the above and nothing seems to work there are commercial products available that are recommended.
   

You areusing too much soap. Run a rinse cycle and use less soap next time. As for the mildew leave your door cracked open after you are done using the machine.

Run a wash cycle (no clothes), with a cup of baking soda, regular detergent and hot water. Leave the door open after each wash day to dry the interior which helps prevent mildew returning.

Go out and buy a box of "AFFRESH". Run it according to the directions.

Front load washers retain water that you cant see or get to. There are cleaners for washing machines available. I clean mine every month with alot of bleach , try pouring a half gallon of bleach in the soap insert on a normal wash cycle and an extra rinse would not hurt no clothes of course.

Front load washers are so tight ( to seal in water ) that they tend to leave water in door gaskets and other places.. This water gets stagnant and can build up mildew etc..Home depot and other home goods stores sells a product called AFRESH and you use it about once a month ( with no clothes in washer).. It does help a bit..
Other techniques you can try would be to wipe down the gasket around the door opening after a wash is complete and to leave the door open between washes to let it air dry.. You should be using HE type laundry detergent and very little of it ( sveral drops is enough per load)..

hope that helps you...

drum bearing failure due to the water seal in front of the bearings failing the smell is probably the grease mixed with water in the outer tub

We had a similiar problem. It was mildew in the washer and in the fabrics. We ran two or three empty loads with some bleach added in, and we leave the door open so the drum dries.
The towels and clothes we hung out in bright sunlight. The UV rays kill the mildew.