I mentioned this in another thread but no one responded. I still think there may be something to the use of detergents with enzymes. Very few detergents do not have enzymes, so people may have mold issues until they try one without--and use it for a decent length of time.

So my question to everyone: Is there anyone who has had or continues to have smell/mold issues with the use of Charlie's Soap or other enzyme-free detergent?

I think we can all agree that water chemistry has nearly everything to do with whether or not you will have laundry problems in general. Some people use non-HE and a lot of it and never have an issue while if others did that it would be a laundry disaster for them.

The reason I brought up CS is because I HAVE been using it for quite a while now and it's the only detergent that has ameliorated the moldy smell in my washer. It is cheaper than using Tide for me and while I do have to pre-treat more, it's well worth it for a number of reasons.

The reason I was questioning the enzymes is that mold can only exist where there are biological materials to eat. When they eat, they release enzymes which is responsible for the smell. I questioned whether adding enzymes into the wash can exacerbate the problem once it's started. There are numerous types of mold just as there are numerous types of enzymes and with the right (or wrong, if it's you) combination it may explain the out-of-control problems some people are having.

So, again, I'd be really interested to know if anyone has had continued or worsening problems with mold with the use of a detergent without enzymes.

I really think it's worth looking at things that may not seem like they could be culprits at first. The laundry industry would much rather leave things as they are so they can watch us replace our washers every other year and buy toxic chemicals to help us keep our washing machines clean (which are intended to clean, for goodness sake!)

Here is a link that might be useful: About Mold

Is the mold in the drum? Why not just use bleach? i'm missing something i think....

Well, I tried bleach, many many times. It just didn't get it out. The mold smell was still there.

I solved my stinky waasher problem. I have a Kenmore Eco-Care FL, bought about 5 yrs ago. About 2 yrs ago I noticed that towels smell after one use. (I do not use fab soft only vinegar.)Sheets and clothes also not very fresh. To make a long story short: Tried Febreeze,Vinegar,Smelly Washer, bleach, borax, baking soda, Cascade, Washer magic--nothing changed smell of towels and/or washer. I took all towels & sheets to laundromat and washed in original lysol then used vinegar to rinse. Then did clear water wash/rinse. Spent lots of $ that day. Then took apart washer and cleaned coin trap and hose/tubes in lysol solution. I thought this would solve problem, but it returned. Finally I decided to try a mildewcide (toxic, I know) because I felt that if I ruined washer it was no great loss as I decided to shop around for another washer anyway. I put in 1/2 cup of Zep Odor Control Concentrate (barely a smell to it) in the tub,set for hot water, allowed this to agitate for about 5 minutes--the washer filled totally with suds. I added manually another gallon of hot water. Agitated 5-10 minutes and turned off machine. I let this sit overnight and then in the morning agitated about 5 more times , off and on. I then let it sit until all suds receded and then went to rinse so all drained and then continued until end of cycle. Set it for another cycle with hot water (no additives). No smell in washer. I now do a few things different with all my wash--a bit more time and a bit more water: put 1/4 cup baking soda in tub, HE detergent in tub (bypass soap disp), fill washer with water at desired temp. Stop machine, add laundry. Return to start of cycle, agitates a few minutes then usually adds more water to load(or I stop machine and add gallon manually via soap disp). Complete cycle. Turn to cold water, add vinegar to bleach dispenser section (not fab soft section), complete cycle. Dry as usual. Finally no more stinky washer or laundry. I am still looking for new machine but right now, water bill still lower and I can take my time deciding. Initially I added baking soda in soap disp for second cycle as it took a few loads to get out the yucky smell. I now do this Odor Control "wash" about every 6 wks or so. I also leave door and disp drawer open and have placed a container of Damp Rid in the washer. If I need bleach, I have been using liquid non-chlorine and also add to tub before filling with water. I discovered that with this machine the bleach is not released into the soapy wash but during the 1st rinse. My feeling is that the bleach and soap should work together not separately.Also, the Odor Control can be used in laundry but if needed, I'd do this in the laundromat and not in FL due to suds. Ends my long 2¢ worth.

Housekeeping how do you figure CS to be so expensive? I was spending at least 10.00 per month on fabric softeners and tide. I got a 5 gallon tub of CS for 120 and it will last three years. It's a third the cost.

No more need for fs either liquid or sheets. I use much less soap per load.