Maytag A108 mildew smell

[halifaxdiana]

I've owned a Maytag A108 since 1980 and it's never given me a bit of trouble. But now it has a constant mildew smell.

- I keep the lint filter on the agitator clean, so it's not that.
- I've run bleach through the dispenser, so it's not that.
- I've pulled the drum off center as much as possible all the way around and wiped out all the lint that I can reach from the top of the drum under the top/casing of the machine.
- I've reached in and under and up to the top of the rotating drum and cleaned there.
- I've shone a flashlight through the perforations to see if I can see a sock or rag caught between the two drums, but found nothing.
- I've run a coat hanger under the agitator to see if a sock is wound round the agitator stem, but nothing seemed to be there.
- There's no evidence of a leak or drip anywhere.
- My only change in detergent was switching from powdered detergent to liquid about a year ago, when powder became hard to find in the stores. The mildew smell didn't start until about a few months ago, almost a year after the switch.
- I have been using the machine almost daily in the past months (due to an aging dog with incontinence), whereas before I used it about once a week for two or three loads. But when I purposely don't use the machine for several days, to try to let things dry out, the mildew smell does not seem to decrease.

This may be irrelevant, but here's some added info: Some fix-it forums say the (generic washing machine) drum should rotate in one direction but not the other when at rest, but my drum won't rotate a bit in either direction. I'm having no trouble with spin speed or draining.

Any ideas?

I'd hate to get rid of a machine that is still working fine after thirty years, but the smell is driving me crazy.

- Diana -

 

[gmmcnair]

Do you wash in cold all the time?

That's a problem that's more common with front loaders with their dispenser drawers, and tightly sealed doors. This is the first time I've heard about it happening with a top loader.

Cold water washing and liquid detergent have a tendency to cause crud to build up. A friend of mine had a Kenmore top loader that lost an agitator after 25 years or so. When they were tearing down the machine, it was in ghastly condition. His late mother had always washed in cold to save on electricity.

I've also seen several discussions about smelly washers and liquid detergents online...one of them over at Consumer Reports. Those who switched back to powders had the problem resolve itself in a few weeks.

I personally use liquid and have never had a problem, but I also do at least one hot wash a week and leave the lid open between washes to let everything dry out thoroughly. I started doing that after my grandmother's lid hinges rusted out on her machine,

I would try this....add a couple of cups of bleach after the machine fills, let agitate for a couple of minutes, then turn it off and let it soak for an hour to kill any bugs or soak any crud loose. Turn the machine back on and let it complete the cycle. Let it dry with the lid open and see if that helps. Amazon also has good deals on powder detergents with free shipping.

 

[halifaxdiana]

Yes, I use cold a lot

Thanks for the insight. I do use cold water almost all the time. I'm going to make an effort to find powdered detergent again, and I'll start using hot more often and see if that helps. I'll give it a good bleach soak, too.

 

[bingwsguy]

Liquid Detergent

Hi Diana, I agree completely with Mike's solution. Liquid detergents and cool water seem to be a recipe for that odor.Combine that with washing items from your dog and it probably makes it worse. I use either powdered commercial All Detergent in the 50lb bag (you can get it on line from a few places with free shipping) or the new Oxydol with bleach. I have not had that smell with either my front loader or Maytag 408 top loader. I also use hot water and chlorine bleach now and then and I think that helps keep things fresh. Hope that helps you.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

I very much agree with the diagnosis of liquid detergent and crud build-up.

In early 2009 I re-re-built a 1979 model Kenmore washer that I had first rebuilt for a friend of mine and his family in 1995. For 14 years they had been using liquid Era, cold water, and fabric softener.

When I opened the lid the stench nearly knocked me down. The scum had COMPLETELY filled the space between the outer tub and the perforations of the inner basket. It took a half roll of paper towel to get the bulk of that off, then about four HOT washes with bleach to get rid of the rest. The water in those bleached loads was initially dark gray/black.

Ever since then they have been using warm water for washes.

The advice above is great, BUT be very careful to not use too much bleach. Two cups is A LOT. Too much chlorine bleach can dry out rubber seals, especially if they are already old. This is why toilet makers don't recommend those chlorine tablets for toilet tanks as they ruin the rubber flapper. I would not use more than one cup per run, preferrably even less. I would also add a bunch of baking soda, especially if you have an old fridge box. Let the washer soak no more than 20 minutes.

Perhaps a better suggestion vs. a home concoction that may be too potent for your washer would be to get some Tide Washing Machine cleaner, or Affresh. They are useful in top loaders and are formulated specifically to get rid of this stuff.

Powdered detergents seem to be enjoying a renaissance - check Target, they have a wide selection which does not seem to vary by store. I agree as well that using these will help contain the goop build-up.

Gordon

 

[stainfighter]

Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda'

You could also try using A&H's 'Super Washing Soda' which according to the package helps cut grease...also states on box "improves liquid detergent cleaning by 40%!". I've been using some to wash out sink basins weekly and have noticed, over time, a lesser need for drain cleaners and such. Locally have only been able to find it at Publix. Good Luck!

 

[combo52]

MOLDY SMELLS

Never wash in water that is too cold to wash your hands in. And remember the hotter the water the better the cleaning and as water temperature goes up you can decrease the amount of detergent somewhat and still get great results. Always use a cold rinse it not only rinses better but cooling off the washer keeps any remaining germs in the washer and clothes from growing and causing an odor.

 

[maytagbear]

I run at least two HOT loads of laundry each week

Cotton whites, and another one of bath towels, and perhaps another load of just kitchen towels. I run them in tank temperature water, which I have at around 145F. I have a top loading Maytag and have had no problems with the washer odor. I wash everything else in "warm," which is about 110F.

You have had some good response here in this thread.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[halifaxdiana]

Thanks to everyone

I was so stumped and frustrated! I am so glad I found this forum - you people are a fount of knowledge. From here on, it's more frequent use of hot water for me, and back to powdered detergent when I can find it. And back to loyalty to my 30-year old still-working-fine machine.

 

[yogitunes]

If its gotten this bad, I'm afraid she may have to tear into the machine and scrub, mainly taking the tub cover off and with a long brush scrub in between the inner and outter tub, and under the agitator, I have a feeling from machines I have gotten, hot water and bleach aren't enough, been there, even shower mildew removers, purple cleaner, do not replace the thought it has to be scrubbed to get the film, scum, and build up removed.....one repairman did tell me to use DAWN dish detergent, about half bottle, it will suds up like crazy, but those suds will get into evey nook and cranny, and will eat the greasy scum by itself

 

[mtn1584]

LOOK IN WALMART / SAM'S CLUB / COSTCO

Everyone has a Walmart near them....not that I am a big fan of the evil empire, but I hate to admit that they have a large slection of powder detergents as well as their Sam's Club warehouse, so does Costco. Also Stop&Shop's sister store Giant should carry powder detergent, although not large sizes as well. I use Cheer Bright Clean powder for towels, sheets and white loads all washed in Hot water. I use the liquid Cheer for my slacks, and shirts in warm, or cold. Good luck.....DO NOT get rid of your washer, there is crap on the market today unless you but Speed Queen.
Mike

 

[bendixmark]

scum removal

I have solved that problem for customers many times by filling the machine empty with very hot water and then dumping a whole bottle of vinegar in and letting it sit for a few hours and then letting the machine complete the cycle repeating if necessary.You would not believe the junk that comes out of the drainhose when you try that.

 

[circlew]

I and a good number of others here like the Sears Ultra Plus powder detergent. It does a good job of cleaning, and is economical in price. Low-sudsing, too.

 

[bendixmark]

Sears Plus

I love Sears Plus,I have been using it for 30 years.At one time I gave sample boxes away with my rebuilt machines.Low sudsing in frontloaders and the cleanest clothes you have ever seen.Best of all,is cheep.

 

[bajaespuma]

Going with the acid.

Someone said something about vinegar and I'm going to second that idea. Try using one of those heavy-duty Rust/Lime/Scale removers with the hottest water you can procure. If that doesn't work, check the areas around the machine to see if there's anything you've overlooked. Then bring in a psychic.

 

[combo52]

MOLDY SMELLS

I have found it is usually unnecessary and a waste of money and resources to try to do remedial cleaning to smelly washers, dishwashers etc. If you just start using the machine properly the problem will start going away almost from the first use, heavy buildups and mineral deposits will take a while. It is like when people stop smoking it will self correct in most cases.

 

[bendixmark]

removing scum

The only problem with that is the first hot cycle all the scum starts coming off at once and ends up on the clothes.Sometimes the problem is so bad you have to pull the basket and scrape it off with a putty knife.Sometimes people think they are washing in warm when it is actually cold if their hot water isnt hot enough or if the hot inlet screen is clogged with crud.I am a strong advocate of clean-out cycles.You make a customer for life when you make someones machine like new again for them and get rid of the stink also.I run into this problem all the time in the city that I work in which is predominately cold water morons.