GE GFW450 SSm1WW Front loader-stinky clothes complaint

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Here in the UK, the recommended temperature for hot water is 60°C (140°f), to reduce the risk of legionella, although it also should not reach 65°C, as that can quickly cause bad scolding. This dates back to us normally having hot water storage cylinders. These days, with most homes having instant hot water from combi boilers, it probably doesn't need to be quite as hot.

I wouldn't know what temperature is recommended in the US, and I guess with a rented property you might even need to consider the risk of litigation in case some fool manages to scold themself!

Our washing machines have always had a heating element to achieve the set washing temperature, these days virtually all are cold fill only, so they solely rely on their element.

I think chlorine based bleach and the peracetic acid produced by oxygen bleach + TAED should be equally effective at sanitising the machine and either would be effective at destroying bacterial spores too, which will stop it quickly coming back, so as hypochlorite bleach is more readily available, I would use that. Oxygen bleach has a few minor advantages, such as the machine won't smell of chlorine after the cleaning cycle.

When used as an in wash additive, oxygen bleach is colour safe (although with repeated washing, it can cause fading in some dark colours), less damaging to fabrics, and breaks down to harmless components. It should not be used on silk, or wool, or on fire retardant treated fabrics. I'm surprised if the tenant is a germaphobe, that they don't use something to kill bacteria, like a laundry sanitiser or oxygen bleach with their detergent.
 
UltraFresh Vent System

I've had my new GE front-loader for two months now, and I can say with confidence that the UltraFresh Vent System is NOT a scam. It works by periodically spinning the drum while simultaneously drawing fresh air into the washer, effectively drying out the interior of all the moisture. This eliminates the need for me to wipe down the door and gasket with a towel. However, the whole venting cycle takes about 8 hours to complete.

I activate this feature every time my family is done with laundry for the day. So far, the drum has NOT gotten stinky; it smells like clean detergent in there. And, as an added anti-mold measure, I pull out the detergent drawer, dump the residual water onto a towel and leave the drawer on top of the washer to air dry.
 
Is sanitise a better cycle to use than tub clean? Looking at the instructions for the GE, the tub clean cycle uses a higher water level, although it doesn't mention if it runs at maximum temperature. I believe I've read that the cleaning cycles on at least some UK machines also rotate the drum a bit faster than normal to slosh the water and cleaner over the hub and the top of the drum, which otherwise wouldn't get cleaned that well.

 
I measured the water temp and its 136.8f. Not sure why I thought it was 120. Today I figured I would just clean it real well every where I can and possible replace the seal that I ordered. I went down to look at the machine to see how the soap dispenser looked and what type it is so I could maybe find a video on how to clean it and to tell her I am now down prepping the house for the hard wood floor guys and would really focus on this washing machine issue while she is on vacation. We had a little argument about her wanting me to pay for a hotel while she is on vacation. I offered to pay for a local hotel nearby if she is home for the finish drying days but not on her vacation or if she wants to extend days because I am paying for a hotel in some resort area.
I had intended to be really companionate and tell her I will really do everything to clean up the washing machine and help develop a cleaning regimen that will solve this problem. But my latest thought since its now a month to month lease is to just reduce rent 50$ and tell her I am removing the W/D in 30 days and she can buy what ever she wants and take care of it.
TMI I know. This whole hardwood refinishing timeline was to accommodate her. She had plans to go on vacation for a week. So I found a company that could start and finish the floor next week while she was gone. Last week she cancelled those Mexico plans and was going to Colorado but for a shorter trip returning Tuesday like 5 days early so She asked if I could have the floor guys come Thursday 4 days early and luckily they could. and actually came Wednesday to patch a damages area 2 floors above her.. This morning she complained about the noise the last 2 days and I am sure it was bad again today. She seemed to forget that she requested they start early on Thursday so maybe the finish would be dry when she returned.
 

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