Advice needed - US folks may know

[liamy1]

Hi,

As some people on here know, I have just acquired an American Whirlpool Series 8 TL washing machine.

I love it, I love how quick I can get through the laundry, compared to our 3 hours or so on European FL machines.

However, (and this may sound bizzare) although the clothes are clean and everything, they have this scent. It's hard to describe. It's a clean-ish scent, the only way I can describe it is a "washer" scent (as in the washers own scent).

Of course I know, as so much water is used in these machines, the detergent-y smell that us UK folks are used to from the FL won't happen in TL.

When I got the machine, it needed a bit of a clean up, but nothing too bad at all.

It could be whatever detergent the previous owner used, or just a general smell the previous owners had, but the machine definitely has it's own odour - is this normal for TL machines?

As said, it is a clean enough smell, just not one I am used to on my clothes.

Still love the machine though.

I am sorry if this sounds like the most bizzare post you have read, just wanted to gather peoples opinions.

Thanks

 

[ptcruiser51]

You're not imagining it

I often used to grind up a couple loads in my sister's Maytag TL so I could use her outdoor lines. She always tends to overdo the fabric softener. ALL my loads would smell like that! Then she would bitch to me that HER next loads smelled like Clorox. Machines will absorb odors and hold them for a long time.

 

[dj-gabriele]

Why don't you run a couple of cycles with citric acid and bleach?
The usual dose for a front loader is 150 grams (in around 20 litres of water for the main wash) so I'd adjust that for the increased water usage of the top loader and lower maximum temperature (you're supposed to run a 90°C wash), I'd throw half a kilo of it and see how well it descales the washer, and then in another wash a liberal amount of bleach, in a front loader a treatment like that does marvels and the machine smells like new once finished.
In a top loader I'm sure you'll have a similar positive effect but as you said the American members will know better for sure.

 

[logixx]

How did you clean it? Did you remove the top and have a look at the outer tub?

 

[pierreandreply4]

topload washer requires the detergent amount to be double when in a top load washer

like for exemple in term of liquid detergent you may need to put to cap full of detergent while the washer is filling in warm or hot water

 

[liamy1]

Thanks for suggestions

I am going to do the bleach and then vinegar clean, as this has popped up a few times on the net.

I haven't taken the top off to view out tub as I don't feel I have any expertise with these type of washers, I will do some research on doing this.

I have slightly increased my detergent use, I could try doing a bit more.

 

[logixx]

Youtube is full of videos on how to take a Whirlpool TL apart. I think you can even download a general service manual for these washers. Just google a bit. Citric acid is better than vinegar, by the way.

 

[whirlcool]

If the previous owner used liquid detergents exclusively you may have a build up on the outer tub inside the machine. We had this problem with ours after we used liquid detergents for awhile.

 

[gansky1]

Can you post a picture of the washer?  Many here can help you remove the top (or cabinet) and get to the insides of the machine for a thorough cleaning.  

 

Can you detect the smell when you put your head at the top of the washer opening when it's empty and off?

 

 It could just be the difference in detergent to water dosing that makes the difference.  There were a few scents of detergent that Mike (UK) sent over a few years back that I did not like in a top loading washer but were just fine when used in a f/l.  

 

[foraloysius]

Here's a video about how to repair a Whirlpool washer:



A video about mold, this one looks pretty bad:

 

[liamy1]

Cheers

Cheers for the advice guys, I will try and get some pictures up of the machine later today

 

[mich]

@ Pierre

Believe it or not, you only need enough detergent to soften the wash water, and really not much else. You don't need full capfuls. If you do use full capfuls, overtime, well, buildup can occur, and we all know what happens than....