Washing machine smell? - General House & Home

brandis77 · #1 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 07:33 AM

I am so lost when it comes to taking care of my house!! We have a Maytag washer and dryer, which we bought new about 1.5 years ago. We have been using them only for general laundry (no comforters or anything). The washing machine has a very sour smell to it .. is there anything we can do? Has this happened to other people?

honeybunny · #2 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 07:46 AM

Is it actually the washing machine or is it the clothes coming out of it? Sometimes if you leave the wet clothes in there too long they will get this sour odor to them and you basically have to wash them again. I don't have any tips on the washing machine itself smelling... never had that problem. Maybe someone else knows what to do.

Life201 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 11:13 AM

in ours, there's a filter in the middle underneath the cup for the fabric softener. If you pull that section out, lint, hair, etc. gathers in there and that may be your problem. If there's a lot of buildup and it never really dries, that could be the smell.

Cheatara · #4 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 11:44 AM

If it is none of that you could try running a load with baking soda and add vinegar to the rinse cycle.

arawak · #5 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 12:28 PM

I totally agree with Cheatara, that is what I will do if anything.
Good luck mamita!

suzieq728 · #6 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 04:59 PM

Brandis77
Hi sweetie, you said you have a maytag, is it a front loader?
The front loaders dont seem to extrac (sp?) the water as well as a top loader. The vineger douche (LOL) is a good idea.
Also the baking powder or both.
My washing machine stinks after I do a load of my sons stinky smelly socks. After I take the clothes out I use the Clorox clean-up, I spray the inside of the tub wipe it down,(or I use one of the Clorox wipes) then run a load of just hot water threw.
Also, do you have hard water??? Believe it or not, hard water stinks after awhile, but there is a product that you can use to break down the whatever it is thats in your water. I'll find out the name of it for you.
Well good luck... And remember, if all else fails, get a maid

LOL...

brandis77 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 06:18 PM

My machine is a top loader, and I have no idea if we have hard water.

I am going to check and see if there is a lint contraption right now .. if not, how much baking soda and/or vinegar should I use?

Thanks everyone for the tips!!!

suzieq728 · #8 (**permalink**) 03-13-2003, 09:55 PM

Put about 8oz vineger, maybe a cup of baking soda, fill with cold water and let it run threw. I would probably use more, but then again I am heavy handed when pouring stuff

..

Have fun

brandis77 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2003, 07:17 PM

Yay!!! The vinegar worked!!! Thanks for the help, ladies.

suzieq728 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-21-2003, 09:30 PM

Hi Brandis
I am glad your problem is solved, now the bill is in the mail

..
Nah, only kidding, my Hometalker buddies get free service LOL....

How ya been? keeping busy???

Csara · #11 (**permalink**) 04-02-2003, 11:26 PM

I tried the baking soda and vinegar rinse for my washer too and it worked. I get such great tips from you guys!

brandis77 · #12 (**permalink**) 04-03-2003, 06:33 AM

Yeah, I don't know what I'd do without everyone's advice!!

Turtleheadfred · #13 (**permalink**) 09-26-2004, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Life201
in ours, there's a filter in the middle underneath the cup for the fabric softener. If you pull that section out, lint, hair, etc. gathers in there and that may be your problem. If there's a lot of buildup and it never really dries, that could be the smell.

Okay - I know this is an older post - but I was looking for some help because I've got washing machine problems when I came across this.

So I checked for the filter underneath the fabric softener cup.

GAG!!!! That is the most disgusting thing I've ever seen!!!! Am I the only person that didn't know there was a filter thing under there you needed to clean!!!!????? OMG!!!! Y'all - check your washers and clean that thingy! It's TOTALLY DISGUSTING!!!!

ParagonEos · #14 (**permalink**) 05-14-2005, 06:11 PM

Oh No! I didn't know there was one, do they ALL have one?

ParagonEos · #15 (**permalink**) 05-14-2005, 06:22 PM

I looked under mine and I didn't see one, but there is something kind of set in deep under there that I don't know what it is...