Widespread Smell Problem with LG Front Load Washers ?

I bought a WM1814CW Front Load LG Washer in 2005.  After about a year, it used to smell, but after cleaning out the filter thing, the smell would go away.  This year, 2007, the smell was so bad it would contaminate the clothes.  We've tried everything, having LG repair people out as well as plumbers.  All relevant and nearby pipes and drains have been cleared, sewer vents have been checked (though we will have the sewer vent checked again for any blockage).  Another LG repair service said that they've heard of this problem and cannot fix it. 

Anyone else know of this problem?  Of course, my extended warranty (which, funny enough, I rarely purchase) expired earlier this year, before the start of the really bad smell. 

At this point, I'm ready to buy a whole new set, but if this is indeed a widespread problem, folks should know about it. 

Karen,

don't give up on your washer yet. The widespread smell problems with FL washers are not specific to any given brand. Most of these problems are caused by user error. The most common mistake is not leaving the door open after using the washer. If there is excessive water left in the rubber gasket around the door, it is also necessary to wipe it clean when the washer won't be used for a few days.

Using too much detergent or fabric softener or the wrong kind of detergent can cause a residue on the outer drum (the one you can't really see or reach). This can also lead to the development of mold or mildew.

To clean out the washer if you are already experiencing a bad smell, try to run a few empty washes using Cascade (dishwasher detergent containing enzymes) OR chlorine bleach on the hottest temperature setting of your machine. This usually eliminates the bad odor and any possible residues of detergents or softeners.

To prevent the problem with the bad smell, use only HE detrgents and use less than the manufacturer recommends. Also make sure that the detergent completely dissolves at the temperature of your cold tap water. If necessary use specially formulated coldwater products. I have also heard that some eco friendly detergents leave residues in the washer. It's probably not a good idea to exclusively use those products.

Always leave the door open after doing the last load for the day so that the inside of the wahser can dry out. This is really important with any FL, since by default the door has to create a water and air proof seal.

I hope these tips help to resolve your problem!

Marion

If the Cascade or bleach hasn't helped your smell problem go to Smellywasher.com and check them out. It might be just what you need to clean out the mold/crud in your washer.

You should also check out Charliesoap. It is a great detergent. Use only 1 tablespoon per load and it also helps keep the gunk out of the washer.

Hope you get your odor problem under control.

Go to Fixitnow.com,then scroll down to "Get personal help in the repair forum", then click the Laundry Repair forum. Scroll down to "front load washers that smell & black debris"-prevention methods.

This was on the 1st page but it may be moved later but you can just check the pages if you are interested. It gives a lot of info. from servicers and it talks about the LG's also.

I just found this and thought it might help you and anyone else having this problem .

Thank you to everybody for responding. 

Here is the update re repair people:

The first repair guy thought it was the drains.  The second repair company had heard of this problem (smelly washer) but didn't know what to do about it. 

The third washer repair guy had seen this before.  It wasn't the sewer pipe or the drain (both were checked and not clogged)--it was too much detergent and using (even occasionally) liquid fabric softener in a front-loading machine.  (Just like what the others in this thread said.)

The washer repair guy had recommended 10 bleach cycles.  Two were done, but concerned about damage by the bleach, and based on a recommendation in this thread, 4 PureWasher cycles  were done.  Unfortunately, it is a long process where 1 "cycle" involved first soaking for 2-4 hours, then soaking overnight, then rinsing a few times. If the smell was less bad, it wouldn't have been so many times. But now the horrible smell is finally gone.   

We have also switched to HE powder detergent, which was recommended in other net resources I found.  Using less than a quarter-cup of the HE powder was plenty in this high-capacity machine. For cold water washing, I keep a wide-mouth water bottle (the kind that bicyclists use), and dissolve the powder in some hot tap water, shaking it up before pouring it in.  Has anybody seen an HE cold-water formula powder?

From everything I've read so far, including suggestions provided by the kind folks in this thread, to prevent possible bad smells developing in frontloading washing machines, this is what is suggested:

1)  Leave the door open between washings; 

2)  Use the right kind of detergent (HE, and possibly, use only powder, even though the SDA says liquid HE is okay); 

3)  Use small amounts of HE detergent, even less than the directions indicate; 

4)  Do not use liquid fabric softener (even though the SDA says it is okay)        

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA, an industry group) has a fact sheet that discusses the possible consequences of using non-HE detergent in HE (frontloading) washers, as well as maintenance tips:

http://www.sdahq.org/laundry/HE.pdf    

Hello Karen,

Yes, using the correct amount of HE detergent will minimize the complaint of "musty/mildew odor".

For those customers that call about this complaint,there two things that we explain--in writing.

The first is about the detergent and correct measured amounts.

The second is to clean out the build-up of soap curd/scum in the water tub (not the laundry tub)--which is causing the offending odor.

The best method that works is to do the following:

WASHER MUST BE EMPTY AND HAVE NO DETERGENT/FAB SOFT/BLEACH IN THE DISPENSER.

1) Open the washer door and add about (4) tablespoons of WHIRLOUT directly into the tub.  This is available at  Home Depot. It is a chemical cleaner used to remove scum build-up in hot tubs/whirlpools.

2) Close door and press power on button.

3) Select: Sanitary Cycle(if available) or Heavy Wash/Duty Cycle.

4) Check the water temperature settings--it should be set at hot water wash.

5) Select Soil Level (if available) to "HEAVY".

6) Select Extra Rinse (if avaliable).

7) Select Stain Cycle (if available).

8) Select Water Plus (if available).

9) Press Start. This cycle can be up to 2 hours and 45 minutes.

This procedure has worked better than any other.

At the LG training seminar,it was highly recommended. We stock this on our truck.

Customers that have a complaint of "rotten egg" odor will NOT get results from this. The odor is caused by a gas in the water(usually well water). This can be remedied by water filtration. A qualified/reputable water treatment/filtration company should be consulted for this type of problem.

John

Thank you, John. 

Karen

Hi, Karen ~

Here's our easy and inexpensive solution to a problem that should never be:  Run a regular cycle with one cup of white vinegar poured into the dispensers in an empty washer.  The vinegar should kill all mold and mildew in the washer.  This will have to be done periodically, just like a coffee pot.  We also clean the seal of the washing machine's door with a rag dipped in water and vinegar.  Obviously, the designers of these machines were so focused on saving water that their testing was short- rather than long-term in design.

Hope this helps!

You'll need around one cup of cascade powder and one cup of chlorine bleach (I think this is optional) and run the hottest and longest cycle of your washer. You may want to use the bleach if your washer can't reach a temperature of at least 150 F. After completion of this cycle (without any clothes of course) it is recommended to wipe down the seals of the washer to get rid of any possible gunk on them. After that, your washer should be good to go. If you have a very persistent mold problem, you may have to run this cycle several times.

In the future, make sure you follow all the recommendations for preventing any detergent buildup or mildew.

Hope this helps.

Marion

The Charliesoap Powder dissolves in cold water very well. I think they have a "sample" pack you can buy and try now without having to invest in a large amount in case you didn't like it--but it is a great product. It too helps keep your machine clean. Go to their site and read about it and the clean out process it does for your washer.

Plus you only use 1 tablespoon.

I just recently read about using this Whirl out stuff to clean out the washers. I saw it on another forum Appliance Junk .com. I think the guy on there said to use 1 cup full of that stuff. I wondered if that would be too much. Now I think so compared to the 4 Tbls you said use.

Can you use this in any front loader?

What about the Washer Magic stuff? Have you ever used it? I have used the Dishwasher Magic and it makes the dwasher tub shine.

Also, will any of this stuff hurts the seals in the washer? Does Clorox eat up the seals?

I use Oxi Clean a good bit. I hope it doesn't damage anything.

Roger,

          Initially there were concerns about corrosion damage from Whirlout chemical cleaner. Not to mention the legal concerns that Summit Brands was wrangling with. Summit put out a statement that their product was not for use in anything but what it was intended for(hot tubs jacuzzis etc).

At an LG Electronics training seminar--the Service Manager for our area(northeast)informed us that LG had checked into the corrosion worries and found that it was not a concern at all if used at an amount not to exceed 4 capfuls. In addition--they were extremely impressed with how well it worked at removing soap scum/curd from the water tank. So much so that they did a "BEFORE" & "AFTER" demonstration in the training routine. A very soiled tub was disassembled and photographed and then reassembled to be put thru a Whirlout cycle. Disassembled again and photographed--there was virtually no residue on that tub assembly.

The new Affresh cleaner by Whirlpool promises to perform just as well but in addition--leave a lemon odor when completed.

John

John,

Thanks for the info. I will have to try either the affresh or the Whirlout to keep mine fresh.

Also I think I am using a bit more detergent than you recommend!!

Thanks again,

Roger

Your welcome Roger! Good luck.

John

Roger,

John's recommendations about the dosage of detergents are to be taken with a grain of salt. It is very true that the manufacturers' recommendations are normally quite a bit too high, but it is not possible to give a general "right dosage" advice. Detergents differ in their formulations beyond just being 1x, 2x, or 3x concentrated. In addition to that, a lot depends on your water hardness and quality. The amount and type of clothes you wash and the level of soiling also makes a big difference.

You can certainly try to reduce the amount of detergent you are using and see how you like the cleaning results. In my washer I see hardly any bubbles if I use half of the recommended amount and the cleaning results are very good. At some point you'll get to the limit where you'll compromise effective cleaning.

John,

What do you think of the LG wm6042 hw (home depot)?

Is this a good machine? Also what are the rollerjets? Do they spray water on the clothes? Does this model tend to vibrate more/less than the other ones?

Thanks

Roger

I found that after use, water would pool in the bottom of the rubber gasket by the door, causing a mildewed smell. By drying the area after the last load and occasionally wiping down with a diluted bleach/water solution, the odor was no longer a problem. Hope this helps.

I too was advised by Summit Brands not to use Whirlout in my LG Tromm WM2277H washer, so I have been using their Washermagic product.  Does this work the same?  If I decide to switch to Whirlout, how much should I use? (I do have a water softener)  Every time I call the LG customer service number, I receive a different answer.   Also, in the same vein, when cleaning the drain filter, is it necessary to use the drain hose first or can you simply remove the filter to clean it?  (Someone at LG told me that if I did not regularly drain the machine using the drain hose, I would get water built up that would leak from the bottom of my machine).  I would appreciate any advice that you could give me.

Thanks