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  1. #1
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Washing your washing machine?

    Do you wash your washing machine? I don't know if it's that we've never had a washing machine long enough for it to be an issue (the house came with a washing machine then we had to replace it, for instance) or if this is a result of the way our machine's drain goes into the utility sink but I've been smelling something foul when the machine drains. I attributed it to Nikki's mattress pads which we wash on average every day and a half. But today the rinse water smelled exactly like rotten eggs. The wash doesn't smell, just the water coming out of the machine drain. Looked online and put vinegar in the drum and baking soda with water in the detergent slot. It's running on the hottest cycle per the instructions. I just don't know if that would clean the drain though. Any thoughts? I'm thinking I should just pour vinegar into the end of the drain.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Is this a front loader or top loader? I've heard a lot of people have trouble with smelly front loaders.

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by smartrock View Post
    Is this a front loader or top loader? I've heard a lot of people have trouble with smelly front loaders.
    It's a front loader and the only one we've ever had.

  5. #4
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    We run the cleaner through our top loaded every couple months, but that was before we put the water softner in. Maybe less now.

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    janedoe (04-19-2017)

  7. #5
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Had my eye on a front loader but after hearing about having to "wash the washing machine" I said the heck with that. Even with just the two of us, well really three with Archie, I seem to do a lot of wash with dog bed covers and foot wiping towels.
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    janedoe (04-19-2017)

  9. #6
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by POPTOP View Post
    Had my eye on a front loader but after hearing about having to "wash the washing machine" I said the heck with that. Even with just the two of us, well really three with Archie, I seem to do a lot of wash with dog bed covers and foot wiping towels.
    I have never liked unloading this thing. It has been reliable and got good reviews and ratings but I'm wondering if I need a basic model large capacity top loader instead. Pretty sure I have a birthday this year . . .

  10. #7
    Best Friend Retriever Java's Avatar
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    By machine drain, do you mean the drain filter & hose found in the front behind a pull-down plate at the bottom front of the washer? My previous front loading washer lasted ten years and developed a smell (laundry wasn't affected though). I had to clean the gasket and check the front drain filter. Basically cleaned the soap tray, the drain filter, the gasket, bought washer cleaner tablets (a temporary fix). It broke down before I found a better solution. Someone told me to leave the door open after taking out a load to allow moisture to dry out and reduce odour which I do now. If there's a good appliance store around with informed sales staff, maybe ask them? I never thought to do that actually.

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  12. #8
    Senior Dog zd262's Avatar
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    Only front loader I ever had was very smelly, even though it was new. We washed it using some recommendation we found on the internet involving bleach I think.
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  13. #9
    Senior Dog janedoe's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Java View Post
    By machine drain, do you mean the drain filter & hose found in the front behind a pull-down plate at the bottom front of the washer? My previous front loading washer lasted ten years and developed a smell (laundry wasn't affected though). I had to clean the gasket and check the front drain filter. Basically cleaned the soap tray, the drain filter, the gasket, bought washer cleaner tablets (a temporary fix). It broke down before I found a better solution. Someone told me to leave the door open after taking out a load to allow moisture to dry out and reduce odour which I do now. If there's a good appliance store around with informed sales staff, maybe ask them? I never thought to do that actually.
    The drain is behind our washer. All that I know about it is that it's a hose that hangs over the utility sink. Our plumbing isn't set up for anything else at this point. I'll pull it out and poke around. See what's back there.

  14. #10
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    Our last front loader didn't smell. I always kept the door open for it to dry between loads.

    Our second front loader develops a mildewy ugly stink. I've used products made to clean the washer but really didn't like doing that. Then I discovered Borax. Rediscovered, really...to use 1/2 cup in every load (more for larger ones or really questionable stuff)...just pour it on top of the clothes before closing the door....no more smell. You also need to use much less detergent with the Borax. (detergent is apparently a big cause of the stink to begin with)

    The Borax will take care of stink in the machine as well as the drain.

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    janedoe (04-20-2017)

 



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