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Samsung Master
3,056 Answers
- Posted on Dec 26, 2009
Re: Washer makes clothes smell like dog
Hello there:
please follow these simple steps
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
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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.
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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.
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Step 3
Leave your washing machine door open in between uses which gives the machine the opportunity to fully dry out.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Step 7
Finally,
if you have done all of the above and nothing seems to work there are
commercial products available that are recommended.
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