http://www.myitwins.com/2009/08/19/smelly-washer-review-and-discount-removes-that-moldy-towel-smell/

http://www.thebraggingmommy.com/2010/05/04/smelly-washer-towel-odor-remover-review-and-giveaway/

http://abusymommy.com/2010/04/smelly-washer-review-givaway/

http://www.5vinezmonkeys.com/2009/07/smelly-washer-review-giveaway-721.html

http://wahmresourcesite.com/2010/04/smelly-towel-review-giveaway.html

http://www.evilflu.com/2009/11/product-review-smelly-washer-giveaway.html

http://www.simple-momreviews.com/2009/03/gotta-smelly-washer.html

http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2010/03/review-smelly-washer.html

http://parenttrend.com/2009/08/smelly-washer-review-and-giveaway/

http://www.lovetoshopmom.com/2009/10/smelly-washer-review-coupon-code.html

http://lusciousdeal.com/category/smelly-washer-review/

http://condo-blues.blogspot.com/2009/07/does-your-washing-machine-smell-musty.html

http://www.gograhamgo.com/2010/04/have-smelly-washer.html

http://www.babesandkidsreview.com/2009/12/smelly-towel-cleaner-review-giveaway/

http://afroginmysoup.com/2009/04/smelly-washer/

http://livingmymoment.com/2010/05/smelly-towel-cleaner-review

Asthma

People with asthma may have an increased sensitivity or allergy to mold that can trigger an asthma attack. Asthma is an inflammation of the airways that makes breathing difficult and sends more than 2 million people to the emergency room every year.

For many people, inhaling mold can trigger severe asthma attacks. By itself, inhaled mold spores can irritate the respiratory system, so people with asthma should take additional measures to eliminate mold in their home by reducing moisture and humidity.

Flu And Colds; Sinus Infections

Inhaled mold spores can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. Inflammation of the sinuses, irritated lungs, sore throat, runny nose and irritated eyes cause the body’s immune system to work overtime to help heal these areas. A weakened immune response and a weakened respiratory system can make you more susceptible to catching colds and the flu.

These same symptoms can increase your risk for chronic sinus infections, especially if you have prolonged exposure to mold, as with washer mildew and mold hidden under your carpeting.

To help prevent mold-related health problems, it may be necessary to have your home inspected for mold and thoroughly cleaned. Then take steps to reduce moisture and humidity to prevent mold from returning.

Washer Mildew

Places like the basement and shower carry a moldy stigma, but most people overlook one of mold’s favorite places to hide: the washing machine. The washing machine actually is an ideal place for mold to thrive if not properly maintained.

Since mold loves water, one of the main causes of washer mildew is residual water. As a rule of thumb, always leave the lid or door ajar to allow water to evaporate.

Detergent and fabric softener mistakes are often a common cause of washer mildew. Using too much detergent, especially in new high efficiency machines, causes excess suds that lead to mold. Read the manufacturer’s instructions and measure carefully. Likewise, liquid fabric softener leaves a residue behind that mold can grow in. Switch to dryer sheets instead.

Use A Washer Cleaner

To eliminate and prevent washer mildew, use a washer cleaner such as Smelly Washer up to twice a month. This washer cleaner uses all-natural ingredients to safely and effectively remove mold, odor and fungus from your washing machine.

You can also use Smelly Washer cleaner mixed with water in a spray bottle to remove mold in your tub and shower, and even your canvas boat and grill covers.

The “Burning Belt” Smell

Older, top-loading washing machines use a belt drive to transport energy from the motor to the transmission and pump. The belt can prevent costly repairs to the motor or transmission by slipping, stretching, or breaking if there is a malfunction in the machine. If the belt slips, stretches, or breaks, it can cause friction and a burning smell, most likely a burning “rubber” smell.

The solution is actually quite simple: you need to replace the drive belt on your washing machine. You can call a repairperson or, if your washer is under warranty, the manufacturer. If you or someone you know is handy, you can replace the belt yourself. The belt is located either from the back access panel or from the underside of the washer.

Most new washing machine models are “direct drive.” This means they do not use a belt. The motor is directly connected to the transmission. If you have a direct drive machine and your washer smells like it is burning, read on.

Electrical Problems

If your washer smells and you have a direct drive machine, it may be the motor, transmission, or both. If these are shot on your washing machine, the result may be an electrical burning smell. Both are necessary to run your washing machine and can be costly to repair. The first thing to do if you notice an “electrical” smell in your washing machine and not a “rubber” burning smell, is to unplug the machine and call the manufacturer or a repairperson.

An electrical burning smell may also be caused by a water leak coming into contact with electrical wiring. Both are major concerns and should be addressed immediately. A water leak can cause structural damage in your home and can short out the electrical wiring in your washer and cause additional damage to the machine.

Other Causes

Another more likely cause of a burning smell in your washer is overloading. Adding too many clothes to your washing machine can stress the motor or transmission, causing them to overheat or malfunction and emit a burning smell. For top load washers, overloading can cause the agitator to freeze or malfunction, stressing the drive belt and causing friction, which could emit a burning rubber smell.

To prevent overloading, know the size of your washer. They are measured in cubic feet. In addition, know how many towels, pants, shirts, and other items you can safely load. When it doubt, do smaller loads. Not only will this prevent overstressing the machine, it will also ensure clothes are thoroughly cleaned and rinsed.

First Things First

Before attempting to remove clothing mildew, you must eliminate the washing machine mold that’s causing the problem. However, it’s important to note here that you may have clothing mildew caused by leaving damp clothes lying around, not from your washer. Regardless, read on for some helpful tips.

To eliminate washing machine mold, use a washer cleaner such as Smelly Washer. It uses all-natural ingredients to safely and effectively eliminate and prevent washer mildew, fungus, and odors. Use Smelly Washer in the hottest or preset “clean” cycle of your washer to eliminate mildew. For tougher cases, allow the solution to soak for several hours before completing the cleaning cycle.

Once you have removed the washing machine mold, you can focus on removing clothing mildew.

Pre-Treating The Stains

If you have really bad mildew stains, you’ll actually see fuzzy or dark colored patches “growing” on your clothes. Mildew feeds off of organic matter, including fabric. So, in the right conditions (damp washer or laundry basket), your clothes literally become a smorgasbord for mildew.

If you have visible clothing mildew, take the items outside and use a bristle brush to remove the mildew. If possible, leave the clothes in the sun to help kill the mildew (hot, dry conditions are mildew’s nemesis).
Next, soak the clothing in a sink with a solution of warm water and Dawn dishwashing detergent. Use a toothbrush or other soft bristle brush to gently work the stains out. After soaking, rinse well and again allow the clothing to dry in the sun. If possible, you can also use a non-chlorine bleach solution to dab at the stains.

Put Your Washing Machine To Work

Most washing machines come with a preset “clean” cycle. If not, you can always use the “sanitary” or “whitest whites” cycle, which use the hottest water temperature possible. If the clothing with the mildew stain can be washed in hot water, this is the next step. If possible, non-chlorine bleach can also be added to the wash. For a more natural solution, baking soda or vinegar can be added to the wash.

Smelly Washer is not only useful for getting the mildew out of your washing machine. It can also be used in a regular load to help eliminate clothing mildew and odors. Simply add 1 tablespoon (or 1 capful) of Smelly Washer to your load of laundry (preferably with hot water), and agitate the clothes. Then stop the cycle and allow the clothes to soak in the solution for two hours. Complete the cycle as normal.

About Your New Washer

The good news is that the average lifespan of a new washer is anywhere from five to twelve years… wow, that’s a big disparity. So what makes a washer last five years and not twelve years? Well, the brand certainly makes a difference. Before you even buy a new washer, do your homework; read some reviews. It’s a fact that some manufacturers have gotten it right, and others haven’t.

It’s also important to (gasp!) read the manual that came with your new washing machine. This seems unimportant, especially as newer models are so user-friendly with their digital displays and touch pads, but the manufacturer provides important instructions for caring for your washer that shouldn’t be ignored.

Hard Water Is The Enemy

You’ve probably heard about hard water; especially from women about how their hair is frizzy or their skin is dry, or maybe you’ve had dishes come out of the dishwasher with streaks on them? These are all the result of hard water. When mineral deposits, such as magnesium and calcium, build up in your pipes, the result is hard water.

Hard water entering your washer can result in mineral deposits in the lines, which can eventually lead to your washer not working efficiently or malfunctioning altogether.

The best solution is to install a water softener or filter on your main water line. This will remove minerals from your water before they enter your house. Not only will it extend the life of your washer, it will also fix your hard water-related streaky dishes and dry skin problems.

Use A Washing Machine Cleaner

A common complaint among owners of new washing machines (especially front-loaders) is washer odor. Washer odor can be caused by a variety of things including residual water, detergent mistakes, and a build-up of lint and other material. Washer odor can transfer to your “clean” clothes and cause an embarrassing, and stinky, situation. But the real “ick” factor is what causes washer odor: mildew.

To dissuade mildew from ever dreaming of taking up residence in your washer, use a washing machine cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, regularly. A washing machine cleaner should be used with no clothes in the tub on the hottest or preset “clean” cycle, about twice a month. Smelly Washer is made of all-natural ingredients that safely and effectively eliminate and prevent mildew, fungus, and odor from your washing machine. Use a washing machine cleaner to maintain that fresh-out-of-the-box “new washer” smell for years to come.

A Dirty Washer

So let’s say you or your family members work a job that involves getting grease on your clothes: say, a fast food restaurant or car mechanic. If you throw the grease-stained clothes in the washer with perfectly “clean” clothes, there is a very real possibility of cross-contamination.

But let’s say you cleverly wash the grease-stained clothes separately knowing that you may otherwise cross-contaminate your other clothes, and yet you still end up with grease stains on the clothes in the latter load. Now you may have a problem: a dirty washer.

Laundry detergent, fabric softener, various odors, and yes, even grease, can build up on the inside of your washing machine after every use. If this build-up isn’t properly cleaned, it can lead to a stinky washer. And a stinky washer can mean stinky clothes and a transfer of the “funk” that’s building up inside the washer onto your clothing – including grease.

Using a washer cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, twice a month removes odor, fungus, and mildew from your washer. This washer cleaner uses all-natural ingredients to safely and effectively eliminate the offending “hitchhikers” in your washing machine. Use a washer cleaner, like Smelly Washer, in your washer’s hottest or preset “clean” cycle with no clothes in the tub.

A Machine Malfunction

If you don’t work fast food and your washer is sparkling clean, considering an underlying problem. The problem may be the seal on the transmission failing. If this happens, grease from the transmission (necessary for it to function) will leak and float (recall from science class that oil is less dense that water) up into the washer. As the grease enters the tub, it stains your clothes.

The only solution for this is to call a repairperson or the manufacturer to have them replace the transmission or seal.

The Dryer May Actually Be To Blame

If your washer comes back with a clean bill of health and you’re still getting pesky grease stains, the culprit could be your dryer. Check the seals around the motor for grease leakage. If this isn’t it, it could be a residue from dryer sheets. Always place dryer sheets on top of laundry (not in between) and start the dryer immediately.

To remove grease stains, apply a grease-fighting dishwashing detergent, such as Dawn, to the stain and allow it to soak. Rinse and launder as usual.

Washer mildew is not only a source of embarrassment due to its offensive odor, it can also be a source of illness for children and those who are sensitive.

Not only can washer mildew live in your washer, but it can also transfer to your “clean” clothes while they are being washed. This is why your towels and clothes may come out smelling worse than when they went in.
This “hitchhiker” mold stays on your clothes throughout the day and can transfer into your body through inhalation or skin contact. For children, it may be ingested orally if they chew on blankets or clothing.

Health Effects & Symptoms

The severity of a reaction to mold and mildew can vary from person to person and greatly depends on the type, amount, and duration of exposure. Children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems or known respiratory illnesses are the most susceptible.

Reactions to mildew can be as mild as sneezing, coughing, and itchy, watery eyes, which are often the same as a reaction to other various other allergens. Inhaled mildew can also cause an irritated throat and lungs. More severe reactions may mimic flu-like symptoms including headaches, fatigue, nausea, and an inability to concentrate caused by neurological problems.

Eliminate Washer Mildew

If you know you have a problem with mildew in your washing machine and are experiencing health problems, it’s time to take control. A washer cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, uses all natural, safe ingredients to effectively eliminate and prevent mildew, odor, and fungus in your washing machine.

A washer cleaner should be used in your washer with no clothes on the machine’s hottest or “clean” cycle. For more stubborn mildew, allow the solution to soak (up to overnight) before running the cycle. Smelly Washer can be used up to twice a month to inhibit the future growth of mildew.

After your washing machine is free of mildew, use Smelly Washer to remove the mildew from your clothes. Simply add 1 tablespoon of the washer cleaner to a load of laundry using hot water. Allow the load to soak for 2 hours, and then complete the cycle.

You can use Smelly Washer to eliminate and prevent mildew from growing in other places around your house as well. Mix with a gallon of hot water to pour down drains and disposals and mix with a spray bottle of hot water to remove mildew on shower walls, tubs, and canvas boat and grill covers.

Natural Essentials

A lot of people are of the belief that it’s necessary to use harsh chemicals, such as bleach, to eliminate mildew and odors from their clothes and washing machine. Not so.

While bleach is certainly a good sanitizing option for some things (killing germs and viruses when someone in the house is sick), it’s not a good option for everyday use. Bleach emits noxious fumes that can be harmful to the respitory system – especially for people with breathing problems such as asthma. It can also ruin fabrics if spilled. And it is poisonous if ingested so it’s use around children is not recommended.

A safer, and just as effective, alternative when it comes to your laundry room is all natural essentials such as vinegar and baking soda. Both are very effective at eliminating mildew and odors. It’s safe to use baking soda in every load of laundry to eliminate odors caused by mildew, body odor, or smoke. Vinegar can alo be used in your laundry to neutralize odors, but it does have an astringent smell that may linger on your clothes. A better use for vinegar in the laundry room is mixing it with water in a spray bottle and using it to clean hard surfaces such as the utility tub, outside, lid, and under the rim of your washing machine.

Smelly Washer

A clean washing machine equals clean clothes. If your machine has washer mildew, chances are your clothes are also mildewed and everything stinks. To get clean clothes, you need the proper tools which includes a clean machine. A washing machine cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, uses all natural ingredients to safely and effectively remove the mildew, odor, and fungus that cause washer mildew.
To use Smelly Washer, add 2 capfuls (about 2 tablespoons) to your washer on the “clean” or hottest setting with no clothes. For more stubborn washer mildew, let the washing machine cleaner soak before proceeding with the cycle.

A washing machine cleaner, like Smelly Washer, can also be mixed with a spray bottle of hot water and used to clean the rubber door gasket, under the rim, and in the detergent/softener basket of your machine.

Dryer Balls

Gone are the days of liquid fabric softener. If you haven’t heard by now, liquid fabric softener can wreak havoc on your washing machine by leaving behind a residue that can lead to washer mildew. A better alternative is skipping the softener in the washer and using dryer balls instead.

Dryer balls are spiky rubber balls that work by separating your clothes in the dryer which allows the warm air to circulate more evenly around the clothes. This helps reduce dry time, wrinkles, and static electricity. So long, fabric softener!

Front Load Washing Machines

Unfortunately, front loaders have gotten a bad rap over recent years. While front load washing machines receive praise for their high efficiency by using less water and energy, these same features can also cause problems.

One of the biggest culprits of a smelly washing machine is residual water. If you notice a musty washer odor, chances are you have mildew in your washing machine. Mildew thrives in damp conditions, feeding off of lint, detergent suds, and even hair and other organic material left behind after a wash.

To prevent this problem, use a towel to dry any excess water from the machine after a wash. Places like the rubber door gasket and detergent drawer harbor hidden water in a front loader. It also helps to clean the drain pump filter located in the bottom, front panel of the washer. This filter catches lint and other material as it drains from the washer; which, combined with water can be the source of your stinky washing machine.

Finally, front loaders require a special high efficiency (HE) detergent. They also require a lot less of this special detergent than you’re probably used to using. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and measure carefully. Detergent mistakes can cause over-sudsing and poor rinsing, both of which can cause washer odor.

Top Load Washing Machines

A top loader can also harbor mildew caused by residual water. In this case, the water, lint and other material can become trapped under the agitator or under the lid of the washer. Wipe these areas down with a clean towel after each wash and remove and clean under the agitator periodically.

A good habit with any type of washer is to always leave the lid or door open in between loads. This will allow any residual water to evaporate completely.

In both types of washers, not using the machine regularly can also cause washer odor. Because a washer doesn’t drain completely and a small amount of water remains in the tub, it’s important to use the machine regularly to flush out the system.

Use Smelly Washer To Eliminate And Prevent Odors

Using a washer cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, a couple times a month will eliminate and help prevent future washer odor. Smelly Washer uses all natural ingredients to eliminate odor, fungus and mildew that can cause a stinky washing machine. Smelly Washer should be used in the hottest or “clean” cycle of your washer with no clothes.

If your stinky washing machine doesn’t smell musty like mold or mildew, then you may have a different problem. If you ever smell an electrical or burning smell, you should unplug the machine and contact the manufacturer.

Remove Smoke Smell From Clothes

Smoke is particulary hard to remove from clothes because of the tar in the tobacco; the tar causes the smoke to adhere to your clothes more readily than other offensive odors. So to prevent a smelly washing machine, it’s a good idea to remove as much smoke as possible before washing.

Trick 1: put the smoky clothes in a plastic bag with 2 dryer sheets and 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Secure the bag, and shake. Let the clothes sit overnight, then shake out any remaining baking soda and wash as usual.

Trick 2: add 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of white vinegar to your washing machine and allow the smoky clothes to soak for at least an hour. Add detergent and wash as usual. This will also help neutralize your smelly washing machine.

Both baking soda and vinegar have remarkable odor-neutralizing abilities. For clothes that are not washable, hang them outside to air out before dry-cleaning.

Use A Washing Machine Cleaner

If you’ve been washing smoky clothes for any extended period of time, you may have a smelly washing machine. While the tar and smoke may be eliminated from your clothes in a typical wash cycle, the odors can remain and cling to the inside of your washer. The smoky smell is then re-deposited onto your “clean” clothes, making them come out smelling… not-so-fresh.

Using a washing machine cleaner, such as Smelly Washer, effectively removes odors from your washing machine; and the natural ingredients in Smelly Washer are safe and gentle and can be used up to twice a month. A washing machine cleaner is used in your washer’s hottest or “clean” cycle with no clothes.

Smelly Washer not only removes odors; it also effectively eliminates mildew and fungus that can make your clothes smell musty.

Freshen Up In Between Washes

In between washes, there are a few simple tricks to minimize smoke clinging to your clothes. Whether you are a smoker, or are standing near someone who is smoking, stand upwind so the smoke blows away from you.

You can also use an odor-eliminating fabric spray on your clothes. Certain fabric sprays are designed to actually remove odors, not just cover them up with flowery smells. And if you don’t plan to wash smoky clothes right away, instead of throwing them in the hamper, try hanging them up instead.