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Do your clothes smell after washing them?

Big-TDI-Guy said:
Look, I'm a big guy - but do cut me some credit here.

I got a front-loading washer almost a year ago - and ever since, my clothes have not smelled clean. After coming out of the wash, they smell like -- like a beach towel left in a plastic bag for 2 days. After the dryer, you can hardly detect it (thank you, dryer sheets).

But here is the catch, after wearing these clothes - once you perspire ANY bit - the smell comes back!!!

I've tried multiple detergents, and yes I'm using the HE detergents my machine says to use.

I tried bleaching / running hot water through it - and this still didn't stop it.

I'm now leaving the door open after washing, and I kick it almost every night in the dark - but I was told this would stop mold from growing - and that was the problem I had...

So - no dice yet. It's not my town water (old washer was fine), and i even tried putting a water filter on it. (you know, to improve the taste of water for drinking) Didn't work.

I also tried checking the drain catch-basin after reading that some HE washers empty water faster - causing the catch-basin to empty completely - allowing sewer gasses back into the washer. A this isn't the smell I speak of, and B - it turned out not to be the problem in my case.

Can anyone help me here? I'm sick of smelling bad, and can't stand "masking" the smell via cologne / scents. I just want to be clean.

Help!
Click to expand...
[doublepost=1519576853][/doublepost]Big-TDI-Guy,
I have a 2006 kenmore oasis he top load washer, and I have the EXACT same issue dude! For the longest time (until now) I thought I was alone in this, and it was me being unclean and stinky. It's embarrassing! I've done everything that u've done to get rid of that smell in my clothes. Clean clothes worn for just a couple hours will smell like I have a dead mouse in my pants crotch! Nasty and gross!! WTF? And how can we (if at all) fix it? I hate to go out and spend money I really don't have, on a brand new washer when mine is mechanically working just fine.
What do I do?
Stacey
 
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HE washers have this problem. All you can do is run the "clean washer" setting as often as you can (once a month is recommended). Old-fashioned washers with agitators rarely had this issue because they used more water and had more vigorous wash cycles that didn't allow mold and stink to build up.
 
Big-TDI-Guy said:
Front loaders form a tight seal, and traps moisture inside post-wash.

Top loaders do not tend to be airtight - (most have a large gap around the lid) - so they dry better and don't grow mold.

And if you want more reference:

Q: What do Rubbermaid and a Walrus have in common?

A: They both like a tight seal.
Click to expand...
I have a top load HE Samsung and have had it for 6 years. Before that I had a front load HE Samsung and have had mildew smell in my clothes, especially my shirts when I get hot and start to sweat. I’ve tried everything from bleach and hot water wash to pre soaking in baking soda and vinegar. I swear it has 100% to do with HE. Never had this problem with traditional washers. Next washer I buy I will be looking to go back to the traditional washer and stop having to worry about how I wash my freakin clothes!!
 
I love front loaders (washers and driers)...at least the Maytag and the LG.

The only time there’s ever been a hint of mildew is if I leave the clothes inside for several hours after a cycle....or if the door is left shut between uses.

HE shouldn’t be an issue but I don’t have any experience with the top loading HE...only front loaders.
 
ThisBougieLife said:
HE washers have this problem. All you can do is run the "clean washer" setting as often as you can (once a month is recommended).
Click to expand...

There are a couple other things to do.

When you take the last load of the day out of a front-loading washer, leave the door open for at least a few hours. This will prevent trapped moisture in the door seals from festering. With this approach we don't need to run the cleaning cycle more than once a year or so, and even then it's discretionary and not because things are starting to smell.

When you run the cleaning cycle, use a half cup or so of cheap bulk white vinegar as the cleaning agent. (I get a bottle at Costco and use it for general cleaning too).
 
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Ew!

Don't leave them in the washer!

It's honestly the only thing I use my Google Home for... Google must think I do nothing but wash.

Try the Trader Joe lavender dryer packets. You can re-use them several times. And I swear by wool dryer balls.
 
For washers, top or front loading, my impression is that you should leave the door open after the wash cycle is finished so it will dry out.
 
Arizona or New Mexico, CA at times, all are very dry and you dont get this to happen often. if it does, and you have to keep the washer door shut, pets or children, put a tiny bit of bleach in the machine, tiny like teaspoon.
 
Gutwrench said:
HE shouldn’t be an issue but I don’t have any experience with the top loading HE...only front loaders.
Click to expand...

We were having the same problem - mildewy, musty smell in the clothes immediately after washing and drying. We have an HE top loader.

I looked into why the problem might be happening, and what I came across was this: HE washers use much less water than traditional washers, and as a result the detergent doesn't always rinse completely out. So it loosens up whatever dirt and sweat or whatever is in the clothes, then TRAPS it there, mixed with detergent that never really rinses completely out. Repeat this after several wash cycles, and the problem just amplifies itself.

I put two and two together and realized that this happened when we switched from liquid detergent to HE pods. We switched back to the liquid and the problem went completely away. Immediately.

Again, we use a top loader, so it likely uses more water than a front loader, but we also bought a top loader because when we were researching washers, we learned that the stink is a common problem with front loaders.
 
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HE units definitely need HE detergent because of the lower water usage and the detergent is lower sudsing.

I don’t have any mildew odor so long as I don’t leave the clothes in the washer for hours and I don’t store the front door shut. In my experience those are two absolutes with front loaders

Otherwise I love the convenience of the front loafers. I purchased the LG stands to mount the washer and dryer which are great.
 
This thread is 10 years old and Big-TDI-Guy hasn't been here in years:

upload_2018-11-9_9-51-56.png


Maddiebb said:
[doublepost=1519576853][/doublepost]Big-TDI-Guy,
I have a 2006 kenmore oasis he top load washer, and I have the EXACT same issue dude! For the longest time (until now) I thought I was alone in this, and it was me being unclean and stinky. It's embarrassing! I've done everything that u've done to get rid of that smell in my clothes. Clean clothes worn for just a couple hours will smell like I have a dead mouse in my pants crotch! Nasty and gross!! WTF? And how can we (if at all) fix it? I hate to go out and spend money I really don't have, on a brand new washer when mine is mechanically working just fine.
What do I do?
Stacey
Click to expand...

I've had the same problem. It is fixed by doing what everyone else has already said, which is preventing the build-up of mold/mildew by leaving the washer door open to air out after your last load, and not leaving wet loads in the washer for a long time.

If you already have significant mold/mildew buildup, then it is too late to prevent it and normal washing does not remove it. You need to do a load using washer cleaner. From that point on, use the previous advice for prevention.

upload_2018-11-9_9-56-0.png


Washer cleaner is very, very harsh. I think it is full of something like citric acid. Don't be tempted to do a load of clothes at the same time.

If you have any clothes that continue to smell like mildew when they get wet, even after being washed in a clean washer, leave them out in the sun for a few hours. Do both sides. The infrared from the sun will absolutely fix that. You don't need to do this every time--just once after you've cleaned the washer.
 
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On a side note, my ex got one of those European style units that is both a washer and dryer in a single box. The drying cycle starts automatically after the wash is done, so moisture is dried out automatically and mildew never builds up in the first place. It also frees up a ton of room by having one unit instead of two.
 
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Huntn said:
For washers, top or front loading, my impression is that you should leave the door open after the wash cycle is finished so it will dry out.
Click to expand...

I have a Whirlpool top-loading non-agitator washer. What I do after I finish a load of clothes is leave the door open for 4-5 hours. So far, the inside of the washer still looks in very good shape. :)
 
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Big-TDI-Guy said:
Look, I'm a big guy - but do cut me some credit here.

I got a front-loading washer almost a year ago - and ever since, my clothes have not smelled clean. After coming out of the wash, they smell like -- like a beach towel left in a plastic bag for 2 days. After the dryer, you can hardly detect it (thank you, dryer sheets).

But here is the catch, after wearing these clothes - once you perspire ANY bit - the smell comes back!!!

I've tried multiple detergents, and yes I'm using the HE detergents my machine says to use.

I tried bleaching / running hot water through it - and this still didn't stop it.

I'm now leaving the door open after washing, and I kick it almost every night in the dark - but I was told this would stop mold from growing - and that was the problem I had...

So - no dice yet. It's not my town water (old washer was fine), and i even tried putting a water filter on it. (you know, to improve the taste of water for drinking) Didn't work.

I also tried checking the drain catch-basin after reading that some HE washers empty water faster - causing the catch-basin to empty completely - allowing sewer gasses back into the washer. A this isn't the smell I speak of, and B - it turned out not to be the problem in my case.

Can anyone help me here? I'm sick of smelling bad, and can't stand "masking" the smell via cologne / scents. I just want to be clean.

Help!
Click to expand...
Smell a bit, and I kinda like it :rolleyes:
 
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