What Causes Washing Machine Odor and Towel Mildew Smell?

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There are a number of causes of mold odor in clothes washers.

  1. The most common cause of musty smell from your washing machine is overuse of detergents because the user is following directions for amount used.  Generally speaking, we’re washing only perfume and sweat from our clothing so we don’t need much detergent. Unless washing soiled clothing, no more than 1 tbsp of any detergent should be used. This is especially important if using liquid detergent, if there is a water softener in the home or if using a municipal water supply. For HE washers it’s absolutely necessary to use HE detergent (low sudsing). Suds affect both the operation and longevity of all HE washing machines.  A good test for detergent use is to fill your washer into a hot setting with no clothing (in the washer) and without adding detergent. Allow it to agitate for a couple of minutes.   If the clothes washer suds’ you need to use less.  If the soap suds are too much add just a half cap (1 tsp) of cooking oil and agitate for a couple of minutes then drain.  Use this method to test detergent use in your dishwasher as well.
  2. Using fabic softener. Softener is dispensed in the rinse cycle and tends to collect on the inside of the plastic outer tub. The residue it leaves is a food source for mold and bacteria to grow in the dark moist environment of the clothes washer.  We recommend switching to dryer sheets or dryer balls. Keep in mind that dryer sheets can also be overused and cause towels to be less absorbent and retain odor. The sheets can be cut in half or even thirds and work well.  They can also be reused.  There are a variety of expert opinions that both sheets and softener can cause contact dermatitis in more sensitive people and children.  Dryer balls are another option but are not as popular because they don’t leave a scent or get rid of static cling as well in northern climates.
  3. Another cause for clothes washer smells is using mainly cold water for washing. Using mainly cold water for washing is understandable for saving energy but it makes preventive maintenance very important. Do your hottest wash or soak cycle as your last cycle on wash day or as preventive maintenance to dissolve residue.  Ensure the water supply hoses to your washer are properly connected so the washer is getting hot washes and cold rinses when you want. This problem is more common than you may think!

*Bleach deteriorates rubber so replace your hoses if they come in contact with bleach for a length of time or after five years. This can save you many thousands of dollars in repair from water damage

  1. Another cause of washing machine odor is non-use of the appliance. If you are not going to use the washer for an extended period it’s a good idea to do a cleaning with a washing machine cleaner. If leaving for a vacation shut the supply hoses off in case of a hose break.
  2. Obstructions in drain pumps can cause mold odor by reducing the flow of water when draining. Almost all front load washers have a filter “trap” that is accessible to the owner. Rather than immediately calling for appliance repair service consult your owners manual for instructions on accessing this trap. ALWAYS UNPLUG YOUR MACHINE OR SHUT OFF THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BEFORE REPAIR and have several towels nearby when working on a drain pump because there is always 1-2 gallons of water left in all washers even after draining. It’s surprising what can make it through the washer and into the pump. Bra wires, toys, coins and screws are common items that can cause the pump to jam or catch lint to cause draining problems to make your washer smell.  Go here for good instructions on cleaning the filter.  Because top loaders don’t have filter traps object can jam the drain pump. These objects can sometimes be removed and the pump can be saved rather than buying a new pump.

Instructions for Smelly Cleaners

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To use Smelly Washer Cleaner:

Most users find adding 1 level cap to a hot setting and allowing the washer to complete will remove odor.  More extreme cases may need to do a long soak or “cleaning” cycle.  If the washer doesn’t have a “clean” or “soak” cycle pause the washer and allow it to soak.

If odor persists or returns:  Add 1-2 caps (tbsp) of Smelly Washer or Smelly Towel Cleaner either directly into the tub or through the detergent dispenser (even liquid dispensers) with a full load of white towels or laundry.  The added bulk of the laundry will raise the water level to include the splash area.  Intermittent pausing to soak and restarting will give the cleaner time to dissolve the mold, bacteria and residue.

To clean your dishwasher with Smelly Washer:  Split a level cap of cleaner between both dispensers and the floor of the unit.  Start a hot cycle and allow it to finish.  More extreme cases may need to reapply and/or allow the unit to soak.

To use Smelly Towel Cleaner:

To initially remove odor from your towels and clothing use a level cap of Smelly Towel in place of detergent.  More extreme cases will need to do a 2 hour soak.  Smelly Towel Cleaner also makes a great detergent booster.  Just add a 1/2 tsp to your regular detergent to really enhance colors!  It won’t hurt to use Smelly Towel Cleaner with every load but it isn’t cost effective.  If odor returns washing habits should be changed.

Other uses:  Smelly Washer Cleaner can be added to hot water in a spray bottle to clean or sanitize your rubber door gasket.  Stains impregnated into the gasket may take repeated appliaction and/or vigorous scrubbing to lessen or remove.  It can also be used to naturally clean showers, bathtubs, hot tubs, canvas, window trim, etc.  by applying with a spray bottle.

Why You Have a Musty, Stinky Washing Machine

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Summary:

Washing machines develop stinky smells if they are not properly used or maintained. The buildup of the residue that causes odor can get worse over time and needs to be taken care of before it goes too far and spreads to the laundry and even causes bad odor in other parts of the home.

Bleach or vinegar (never together as dangerous gases can form) are commonly used as deodorizers and will reduce the smell but does not remove the cause from the tub.  Detergent and softener residue then collects on the base and the problem starts all over again.

Although many users leave the door open to reduce odor, the cause of the odor remains to reinfect the clothing during the next wash.  To properly clean a clothes washer the cause of the odor should be removed.  In short…if your washer smells with the door open or closed, it’s time to clean it!

Luckily, for consumers, there are options available to get rid of this odor.  To get rid of persistent or returning odor it’s important to realize that the area of the worst buildup of residue is the area just above the normal waterline.  Detergent, softeners, soil and grime all splash up and don’t get rinsed out.  Cleaning cycles do not reach this area so a washing machine cleaner that can be used with clothing should be considered.  The added bulk of the laundry will raise the water level to include the splash area.

A little preventive maintenance can go a long way to prevent washer odor.  Something as simple as using your hot cycle as the last cycle on wash day can help dissolve and flush out the residue.

A bad odor from your washer or laundry means that your washing machine has a bacteria, mold or mildew problem that can be transferred onto your clothing.  The odor can even get so bad as to cause other areas of the home to smell as well.

Here are a few main causes of washing machine smell:

Overusing Washing Detergents

  Using too much detergent or the wrong type of detergent causes suds.  These suds, along with soiled water, leave residue on the inside of the outer, plastic tub and provides a food source for molds and bacteria to thrive in the nearly perfect growing environment of the clothes washer.

Creating too many suds by overusing washing detergents can also hinder the operation of your washing machine. Because suds contain chemicals and air, the surface tension of the water is changed and allows moisture into the spin bearing. There’s nothing that will ruin these sealed bearings faster than moisture and they are very expensive to replace.

Using Fabric Softener

Fabric softener is dispensed in the rinse cycle of a washing machine and tends to build up a thin layer of film inside your clothes washer. It is also a food source for bacteria and mold to grow.  Softeners also coat your towels with chemicals which makes them absorb odors and become less absorbent.

Fabric softener sheets or the chemical-free dryer balls are better options for softening laundry.  Keep in mind dryer sheets can also be over-used.  The chemicals in them will coat the dryer moisture sensor to affect dry times in automatic cycles.  There are also opinions that fabric softener and dryer sheets contain carcinogens.

Using Mainly Cold Water

Using mainly cold water in your washing machine is fine but makes preventive maintenance more important.  A hot wash or soak cycle as your last cycle on wash day can go a long way in preventing odor.  It’s a perfect opportunity to wash more soiled laundry!  Consider an extra rinse if laundry is especially dirty or if the unit won’t be used for some time.

Clorox washing machine cleaner vs Smelly Washer Cleaner

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Best known for it’s bleach products - Clorox has been making products since 1913.  It was bought in 1957 by Proctor and Gamble but the FTC challenged the purchase with monopolization charges.  Based in Oakland, CA, it has been publicly traded since 1928.

In this new green era consumers now know that environmentally-friendly cleaning products and practices provide many benefits.  Successful janitorial and cleaning companies are incorporating “green” processes and products to meet the growing demand for natural cleaners.

When comparing Smelly Washer to Clorox washing machine cleaner we contend that using Smelly Washer is the best decision for cleaning your washer because of these reasons:

1.  Clorox is bleach-based and bleach is already a widely used cleaner.  Odor would not be a problem if it worked.

2.  Bleach affects gaskets and seals on washing machines by drying them out.

3.  There are expert opinions that bleach can cause health problems.

4.  Smelly Washer has 24 treatments compared to 5 for Clorox so, cost-wise, we’re the best choice.

Star Tribune Favorite Product of the Year

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Consumer champs and chumps

By JOHN EWOLDT, Star Tribune

January 20, 2009

Time for my annual look at some of the best and worst moments for shoppers and consumers last year. Send me your own rants and raves if I’ve missed something. No doubt the biggest story for us in 2008 was the loss of many retailers, including Steve & Barry’s, Linens N’ Things, ReFurnish, and selected locations of Home Depot. In 2009 we’re losing Macy’s Brookdale, Circuit City, Club Libby Lu, Smith & Hawken in St. Paul and Cost Plus World Markets. Who else is vulnerable in 2009, according to Walletpop.com? Office Depot, Pier 1, Sears, Ethan Allen, Fashion Bug, Ann Taylor, PacSun, Mattress Discounters and Limited Too

Favorite product

I read a lot of Heloise-type columns in which the writer can’t get the mildew-y smell from towels or clothes, but an appliance repair man from Savage, Paul Flynn, went to the origin of the problem: the mold and mildew inside the inner tub of front-loading washers. A capful of Smellywasher ($16), available at participating Ace Hardware stores, gets rid of the problem. Flynn explains how to prevent the problem from occurring at www.smellywasher.com.

Classiest, cleverest GOB sale

Quitting-business sales are by nature depressing, but the classiest going-out-of-business sale that I witnessed was the recent demise of 42nd Street Gifts (4165 Minnehaha Av. S., Minneapolis). Annie Hines, who owned the shop for 12 years, included games and prizes at her sale. Customers were allotted points for their purchases but also just for coming in the door (no purchase required). Many customers came in multiple times, unlike most GOB sales where customers come in only once, said Tom Son of Wingate Sales Solutions, the sale organizer. Prizes included a 42-inch flat-screen TV, a wool rug, and a Sheraton hotel stay. “It made the atmosphere feel less like a wake and more like a game,” said Hines. She closed the store last week after a six-week sale. A word to the wise — if you have beloved, independent stores in your neighborhood that you’d hate to lose, support them before the GOB sale.

Longest GOB sale

Wickes won the award in 2007 for a going-out-of-business sale that lasted four months. The 2008 winner easily surpassed Wickes’ “longevity.” River of Goods in St. Paul started its sale in August and kept it going until mid-January, a six-month last gasp. The funniest thing about the marathon? Discounts started at 70 percent and by January had “shot up” to 80 percent. Even at 80 percent off, I was never convinced that the merchandise was a good deal. The fact that its imported items could not easily be found anywhere else in the Twin Cities for comparison’s sake made the discounts more suspect.

Weirdest sale

Opitz Outlet had a quirky, amazing shoe bargain — mis-mates one-half size different than the other shoe for $5. Opitz’ Annex (4300 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-922-3536 ) sold hundreds of pairs of men’s and women’s new, undamaged mis-mates from designers for $5, regularly up to $400. The sale was so successful that a new shipment of 1,200 women’s and 200 men’s mis-mates starts tomorrow. Women’s shoes and boots are priced at $10 to $15 and men’s are $15. This time most are athletic shoes including Nike, Timberland, FUBU, Baby Phat, Skechers, Converse and Ralph Lauren. Original retail prices range from $75 to $375. Since many of us have one foot slightly larger anyway, try on a pair. Why the need for a sale like this? Buyers try on several sizes of the same shoe style and deliberately or mistakenly take two different sizes of the same style.

Bad ads

Ultimate Electronics ignored several requests by the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota to change its advertising or be more accurate when its ads say it shops Best Buy, Circuit City and Wal-Mart and adjusts prices to give customers the absolutely lowest prices. The BBB comparison-shopped five times in 2008 and on every occasion found that Ultimate did not have the lowest price on the sampling of items checked. A Sony S750 camera, for example, was priced lower at all three competitors than at Ultimate. The BBB has asked Ultimate to modify its ads, but the company has not done so. Ultimate’s president, Jim Pearse, said the company’s intent is to adjust prices to beat the competition and has no plans to change its advertising. “Prices on electronics change daily,” he said. Although I think the company’s ads mislead consumers into thinking they don’t need to comparison-shop, I applaud Ulimate’s customer service and its competition in the marketplace. Ultimate, with six Twin Cities locations, offers a 60-day price guarantee if the competitor has the item in stock.

Worst and best outlets

Worst: Pawn America outlet (5600 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, 952-926-1379 ). Open about a year, the outlet has a lot of merchandise that is not discounted further from the regular stores. For better deals, look for the yellow “an additional 25 percent off” stickers. Last week, a used Sharp 37-inch flat screen was $712 after the extra discount, about the same price as new online.

Best: Lofthouse/ C2B Concepts (7350 Commerce Lane, Fridley,  763-586-6241 ). After a reader tipped me off, I visited Lofthouse in June, when the artisan, preservative-free bread loaves were 50 cents and rolls a quarter. Prices have since doubled, but they’re still a steal. Only a few flavors are sold each day, but favorites are cranberry walnut, chocolate, black bean/salsa and multigrain. The outlet might add waffles and muffins in 2009. Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Best sales

Many readers loved the Department 56 sale that the American Cancer Society had in May. But with Department 56 in bankruptcy, any repeat of the sale is in limbo. The Cancer Society’s mega garage sale in October was its last, said coordinator Leah Swenson. The costs of collecting the goods year-round and storing them for the sale were too high. It probably will be replaced with smaller, more frequent sales, with an emphasis on furniture, household goods, art and knickknacks. Clothing will not be included, said Swenson.

Other favorite sales included the BlueMountain.com gardening accessories sample sale and the Spectacle Shoppe’s “All eyeglass frames for $39″ sale. Both are expected to return in slightly different formats this year. Stay tuned.

Retail genie opens a door; closes a window

A North Face store appeared at Lake and Hennepin in Minneapolis, but then the wonderful selection of North Face samples at Thrifty Outfitters in Midwest Mountaineering disappeared. Something tells me there’s a connection.

Readers alerted me to many good sales and stores last year. I suspect that 2009 will be an even bumpier ride than last year. Please keep your tips coming.

John Ewoldt •  612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.

© 2012 Star Tribune. All rights reserved.

Affresh vs Smelly Washer products

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuV8TFfsxGE

Affresh washer cleaner has been sold at many retailers since 2009. Created and sold by Whirlpool in their effort to contend with alleged design flaws, Affresh is sold in foil pouches consisting of 3 tablets. To use Affresh washing machine cleaner:

*Directions: (from Affresh website)

1. Empty your washer.

2. Place one tablet of affresh® Washer cleaner directly in the washer tub – not in the dispenser.

3. Run the washer on a clean washer cycle or a normal cycle with a hot water setting.

4. Simply wipe away any residue that may be left behind after the cycle ends.

5. Throw away whatever cleaners you were using before.

6. And, always be sure to follow your washer’s Use & Care Guide for instructions on proper maintenance.

*Do Not Use With Clothing.

*For washers with a “Clean Washer” cycle, add one tablet to the washer and run the cycle.

*For machines where odor is present, run 3 wash cycles consecutively using 1 tablet in each cycle.

Our advantages of Affresh are:

1.  Smelly Washer is completely organic and odor free.  You don’t need fragrant harsh chemicals to clean your washer!

2.  One bottle of Smelly Washer has 24 treatments compared to 3 for Affresh.

3.  Smelly Washer can safely and easily be used with or without clothing in your washer.  This is important because suds and soiled water build up in the splash area just 3 to 5 inches just above the normal waterline and cause odor.  To remove residue from the splash area the added bulk of laundry raises the water level to include the splash area for much better cleaning.  This makes all the difference in cleaning a front loading or top load washing machine!

4.  Smelly Washer also works great to clean your dishwasher!  Simply split a cap of Smelly Washer between the dispensers and the floor of the unit then run the dishwasher in a hot setting. Smelly Washer gets rid of the bacteria and the bad odor it causes to leave your unit smelling brand new!  What better to use than an all natural cleaner for dishwasher cleaning?  You’ll be amazed by how much cleaner your stainless or plastic tub will be!

Why is My Dishwasher Leaking?

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The dishwasher is one of the most used appliances in the home.  It can save us time and water in our effort to keep our dishes and kitchen clean.  However, if not properly used it is an appliance that can ruin a floor with water leaks, wreck a counter top and even affect our health.  To save money you may be able to fix the problem yourself.  The number one priority should be safety.  Always unplug or cut the power to any appliance before it’s worked on.  Also, keep in mind stainless steel tubs are extremely sharp and very dangerous.  They have caused many trips to hospital emergency rooms.

There can be several different causes for dishwasher leaks.  The most common reason is using too much detergent.  This is usually an intermittent problem.  When too much detergent is used (especially liquid detergent) suds form and the wave action of the spraying water will force them over the front edge of the tub bottom where there is no seal. The suds will drip out as water from the corner of the door.  The fix is simple – use less detergent.  Unless you’re washing very soiled dishes it’s necessary to use just a tablespoon of detergent split between the dispensers and the floor of the unit.  A good test for detergent use is to start an empty dishwasher in a hot cycle without adding detergent and let it run for 5 minutes.  Open the door to check for suds.  To remove suds just add a teaspoon of cooking oil to the soapy water and restart the unit for several minutes until the suds have disappeared and then drain.

Other causes of leaks can be a faulty door gasket or other seals, a loose spray arm or cover causing water to spray toward the door bottom, a bad fill valve or supply hose or even problems with a drain pump or motor gasket.

Even if you are able to fix the leak yourself it’s important to monitor the dishwasher to ensure the leak has completely stopped.  It’s a good tip to place a water leak detector on the floor beneath the unit as an early warning before damage can be done.  This is a very small investment that can avoid thousands of dollars in home repair.  Once again – if you’re not confident the leak has stopped a professional should be called.

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner vs Smelly Washer Cleaner

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Since we created first washer deodorizer in 2006 there are now many companies selling their version.  In the spirit of capitalism we must welcome competition as it can only be good for the consumer.  This is the first in a series of DIY education posts to explain why using Smelly Washer Cleaner is your best decision when cleaning your washer.

Tide Washing Machine Cleaner, simply by virtue of being Tide, has the biggest market share.  Since 2009 they’ve been available at many retailers.  The biggest complaint from consumers seems to be a heavy chemical smell.  Our main advantage over Tide is being all natural and unscented.  Our 24 treatments compared to their 3 is also important to consider.  We also contend the inability to be used on clothing limits effectiveness as even “cleaning” cycles in washers do not remove residue from the splash area above the normal waterline.  The splash area is invariably the area of heaviest buildup of soap residue.

Simply add a cap of Smelly Washer or towel cleaner to a full load of laundry.  This will easily clean the residue from the splash area in your Whirlpool, Kenmore, Maytag, LG, GE, Frigidaire, Samsung or any other brand of washer you may have.

What laundry detergent does not cause your washer to stink?

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Washing machine odor, especially in the new front loading clothes washers, can easily be avoided by using the best detergent to reduce odor. It is necessary for high efficiency washers to use HE detergent.  HE stands for high efficiency which means low sudsing.

Suds left by overuse of detergent and softeners will feed bacteria and mold to make your washer smell.

Suds also can change the surface tension of water which allows it into smaller spaces such as the spin bearing in back of the stainless inner tub.  Moisture will ruin the sealed bearing and, although it may have a limited warranty, the labor to put it in is expensive.

Powder detergent causes odor much less than liquid.  As with any business, detergent makers are in business to make money. The vast majority of store shelves are stocked with liquid detergent because detergent makers push liquid as it is less expensive to manufacture.  Everything from drying times to transportation costs to the necessity of exhaust fans in factories to protect the workers affect manufacturing costs.

There are all natural detergent powders that clean very well.  Liquid detergent fillers will accumulate deeper inside the washer and studies show some to be carcinogenic.  Detergents in powder form are much less prone to cause odor compared to liquid.  Powder can be used in liquid dispensers.  If the soap is not dissolving too much is being used.

Whatever type of detergent is used, it’s necessary to use no more than 1 tablespoon unless washing very soiled clothing.  Studies show that in normally soiled laundry there is almost no difference between using recommended amounts and not using detergent at all!  Detergent companies are also notorious for advising to use too much detergent in order to increase profit.

DIY education for burning smell in top loading Whirlpool HE washer.

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If you can smell something burning in your Whirlpool or Kenmore top loader washing machine immediately unplug the unit.  Put your hand against the plastic part of the electrical outlet.  If heat is felt you may have located the source.  A loose electrical connection in the wall plate can easily be fixed.  If you’re not comfortable working with electricity call a professional.

Rather than calling for appliance repair you can easily repair many problems yourself. IMPORTANT:  Always unplug or cut the power to any appliance before working on it.  Safety should always be your number one priority.

To investigate further:  with no clothing (in the unit) pull the clothes washer away from the wall and tilt it back against the wall. You may want to drape a small rug or towel over the control panel so the wall or control panel does not get damaged.  The bottom is easily accessible by lying on the floor and removing the sound insulation.  Black powder may be present from the belt but if there are pieces or if the belt looks worn consider buying a new belt.  A white plastic drive belt guard is removed by unscrewing two screws using a 5/16″ drive tool.  The easiest tool to use is a magnetic nut driver.  The common sizes used in all appliance repair are 1/4″ and 5/16″ but they are available in sets.  Many times the nut holding on the  plastic gear is missing from defective manufacturing and the guard has a slot worn in it from rubbing against the belt.  It is not necessary to loosen the motor to attach the belt.  Laying on your back with the unit propped against the wall put the belt on the small pulley and with your hands pull the belt on using the larger pulley.  If the nut is missing use a  5/16″ flat washer, a lock washer and a nut. If you don’t want to order a new nut use a 5/16″ X 24 tpi nut from a hardware store.  DO NOT over tighten. It is important to make sure the belt is riding between the flanges on the small pulley or it will come off again.  Do not use tape to fix the guard because shavings can pile up on the tape to cause problems.  A new guard may be needed if it’s worn too much.  After replacing the belt put the washer back on the floor and make sure it’s level by adjusting the legs at the corners. After leveling the unit make sure the nut between the leveling leg and cabinet is tight so it does not vibrate out of level.

Tools needed:  flashlight, 5/16″ nut driver, small adjustable wrench, level