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Musty Smell from Whirlpool Duet Washer

16 years ago

We recently moved our side by side duets upstairs - i always thought the musty smell was just from the basement - but it is coming from the washer! someone told me to always leave the washer door open when not in use - i have started doing this, but it still smalls and DH, who has a very sensitive nose says he "can't live with this smell" (laundry room is next to our bedroom) - anyone else have this and any solutions?? thanks

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Comments (5)

sparky823
16 years ago
You can run dishwasher detergent and bleach through it and help with the smell.
I have read on here that Cascade Complete powder was the best one to use.
I was told by a manufacturer to use a dishwasher detergent powder that contained chlorine bleach such as Sunlight or Electrasol and to use Clorox with that. I was told to use 1/2 to 1 cup dishwasher detergent and 1 cup of Clorox. Let it run on the longest hottest cycle. Then be sure to leave your door open.

Do you use liquid detergent? It is said it causes more build up inside the outer tub than powders do.

Also, if this doesn't help there is a product called Pure Washer. Go to Smellywasher.com and read what they have to say about smells in the washer. They are the ones with the pure washer product.
looser
16 years ago
sparky823 already gave you some great advice.

Overdosing detergent (liquid or powder) and fabric softener can leave residues in the outer drum of the washer and promote the growth of mold. Also, doing some hot temperature washes at least ocasionally should help preventing any mold/mildew problems.
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Heater will NOT engage in normal no matter what. I often use wrinkle free for clothes, husband's dress shirts, sometimes towels. This will not allow a max spin though. I use extra white for white sheets/towels/socks. Usually with extra warm or hot temp and sometimes extended and/or prewash. I have used custom for kids' clothes warm with a max spin speed. I have used express for bathing suits/towels after a day of swimming. A little Vaska on express and everything is fresh for the next day. These items don't really need to be washed daily so express is great (30 minutes). I have used delicates/hand wash for ... well delicate items. This setting works great. More soaking less tumbling. I have used woolens for wool sweaters also great. I LOVE the comforter setting. It will "vent" the item(s) first - wet them thoroughly before it adds the detergent. Very smart. I almost always use the sensitive setting which uses a higher spin speed between wash and rinse and uses an extra rinse. I don't like too much residual detergent smell (if possible). I've used clean machine. I used table linens a few times for table cloths - not really sure what makes that setting good for them. They turned out just fine. The only program I was not thrilled with was the dress shirts one. It only does a medium spin and left the shirts quite wet. I prefer wrinkle free for them (but that's me). I have used prewash and extended. If items are noticeably dirty I use a prewash. I have used extended if I think they need a little longer tumbling. The more agitation the better the wash. Shorter cycles are not the answer for clean items. Gosh ... have fun and keep us posted on how it's going.
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I just put it in the softener dispenser also. I fill it to the line and never have any vinegary smell on the laundry!
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jakvis
16 years ago
These musty odors normally come from washers that don't get regular hot water washes. Frontloads, Toploads, it doesn't matter, if you don't use hot water every so often the detergents and soil build up inside the washer. In the service business you can tell who uses hot water and who doesn't when you see the inside of the outer tub. Cold water users will have a very large amount of build up.
iasheff
16 years ago
We did have a problem-- but I tried several different things all about the same time and I am not sure which one worked but I don't have any trouble any more.

I ran a whitest white cycle with Cascade and when it was done, I ran a rag all over the boot, the glass door, etc. I couldn't believe the built up gunk that I wiped off. It was GROSS. We also had to change our drain pump due to some BBs ;) at the same time and I cleaned that filter out and it was disgusting too. I couldn't believe the build up.

I switched to powder detergent. I started using the Sears detergent and love it. I am kicking myself in the bottom for not discovering it earlier. $20 for a HUGE bucket that is going to last for 275 loads or more!!

I quit using fabric softener and am using vinegar exclusively. I was afraid that I would have a problem with static but it hasn't been an issue at all. I think the laundry is just as soft, if not softer now.

I wipe the glass off when I am done doing laundry for the day and throw the rag over the door so that the door stays open a fraction.

We used to have towels that would get stinky too but we don't have that problem anymore either!

GOOD LUCK because I know how frustrating it can be!
ktee
14 years ago
I fixed my smelly Duet washer by having Whirlpool replace the rubber gasket. It was really the only thing that could have been harboring the smell. I paid for the labor, Whirlpool the part. Then I started using powder HE instead of liquid HE. Of course, I leave the door open all the time. No more smell. Oh, and I did use Refresh or Renew, whatever that product was that Whirlpool was pushing. The best remedy was getting a new rubber gasket and using the powder detergent.

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