Musty odor from High Efficiency Clothes Washer

**wvpiper** · 9th January 10, 12:25 PM

I've had my HE washer for over 2 years. Few days ago, I notice a musty odor from it. I routinely leave the door open and soap dispenser tray open to allow it to air out. I had read this was an issue with HE washers.
I've cleaned what I can, but I still have the odor. I've run a rinse only cycle with bleach, rinsed it many times, etc. It's coming from the rear of the washer. Not inside the drum, or anywhere else. I removed the drain hose and cleaned out the connector. Still an odor.

I'm thinking there must be built up lint, or fibers, etc somewhere in the effluent connection, trapping moisture and thus mildewing.

Does anyone have tried and true methods of treating the odor? Not something you're read about, or heard about, but something you've actually used?

I guess my next step will be to pay a repairman to open it up and see what's in it.

**Sammac** · 9th January 10, 12:32 PM

We just bought a new HE washer and it has a trap for lint and stuff that is supposed to be cleaned regularly. Our's is a Samsung and it is located in the front, bottom right. You could check your owners manual to see if you have a lint trap.

**ali8780** · 9th January 10, 12:34 PM

~!~ I think I'm having that same problem! I was just telling myself the other day that there was a funky smell coming from mine that seemed like it was coming from the back...

Let me know if you figure it out

**HarborSpringsPiper** · 9th January 10, 01:07 PM

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions but so far I've been lucky with out LG machine, which we've had for several years now. What brand of machine to you have?

I've heard these kinds of stories before and keep wondering if this is going to happen with ours.

**wvpiper** · 9th January 10, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by Sammac

We just bought a new HE washer and it has a trap for lint and stuff that is supposed to be cleaned regularly. Our's is a Samsung and it is located in the front, bottom right. You could check your owners manual to see if you have a lint trap.

No trap. I checked the manual and cleaned what it recommended.

**ali8780** · 9th January 10, 07:30 PM

please let us know if it worked!

**sorcererdale** · 10th January 10, 03:49 PM

My wife works at an appliance store and recommends leaving the door open after each wash. Also there is a product, for Whirlpool there is a product called Affresh that you should use. Also, some of the washers have a cleaning cycle and should be used according to instructions. I hope this helps.

**ccga3359** · 10th January 10, 05:05 PM

On my Kenmore mildew builds up on the rubber gasket between the door and the drum.

**Pleater** · 10th January 10, 05:44 PM

Have you tried looking for a maker's website to send them an enquiry, or just Googled the make and model with 'musty smell' to see if it has been remarked on on line anywhere?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

**wvpiper** · 11th January 10, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by Pleater

Have you tried looking for a maker's website to send them an enquiry, or just Googled the make and model with 'musty smell' to see if it has been remarked on on line anywhere?

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

Yes, I've emailed them but haven't heard. I've googled also.

mildew builds up on the rubber gasket between the door and the drum.

I wipe it out

leaving the door open after each wash

I leave the door open and the soap tray.

I actually think it's a frozen vent pipe from the long term deep freeze we've been having, and I'm smelling odors from the drain. I think I could actually see some ice or frost on top of one of my vent pipes this morning.

I'll f/u in a few days when we finally warm up above freezing.