New Stinky FLs hit the news!
- Thread starter sudsman
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richardc1983
Well-known member
People really should know to do regular maintenance washes to get rid of any build up! Imagine whats going on in the pipes!
richardc1983
Well-known member
That and remembering to leave the door ajar to let it dry out and air circulate!
hoover1100
Well-known member
I don't get it
possibly the lack of high temperatures or quality of US detergents?
Follow those tips here, and descale the machine now and then if you live in a hard water area and you won't have any problems like that whatsoever!
Bizarre
Matt
possibly the lack of high temperatures or quality of US detergents?
Follow those tips here, and descale the machine now and then if you live in a hard water area and you won't have any problems like that whatsoever!
Bizarre
Matt
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
I think the advice about the trap is good. Unfortunately the owner's manual doesn't cover this issue, maybe because they want you to pay for a service call. However, Sear's service didn't service the trap anyway so it would be best if they would just make it user servicable.
I don't understand why Americans have such frequent problems with mold and unplesant odors in their front loaders. Here in Europe as far as I know no one have such problems.
Maybe some of you guys can explain me this.
Ingemar
Maybe some of you guys can explain me this.
Ingemar
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
Maybe some of you guys can explain me this.
I believe it has to do with the fact that we are a Top Load society. People are just starting to learn how to operate the FL machines. Even Consumer reports says that leaving the door open is a safety issue, so people think they are doing the right thing by closing it up tight. This lends a nice warm, moist breeding area for mold.
With my TL machine, I always left the lid open when it wasn't operating. Same for the door of my FL machine now. That with the trap issue formerly mentioned, and the over use of softner, and high sudsing detergent some people get ICK!!!
I believe it has to do with the fact that we are a Top Load society. People are just starting to learn how to operate the FL machines. Even Consumer reports says that leaving the door open is a safety issue, so people think they are doing the right thing by closing it up tight. This lends a nice warm, moist breeding area for mold.
With my TL machine, I always left the lid open when it wasn't operating. Same for the door of my FL machine now. That with the trap issue formerly mentioned, and the over use of softner, and high sudsing detergent some people get ICK!!!
randycmaynard
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2009
- Messages
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Odors in Front Load washers.......
Issue is with closing the machine door when it's not in use and lack of running a regular clean cycle with a machine cleaner and if you find those machine cleaing tablets too expensive try using a diswashing tablet. By all means when you do a clean cycle use the hottest water setting possible on the machine and when it's done leave the door open a little so air can circulate and leave it open after you finish your wash for the day as well. One last thing - be sure to keep the softener residue/build up cleaned up in the dispenser - it will cause odors as well and build up in the actual wash tub and on the washer basket(drum) will be taken care of in the clean cycle.
Randy in Knox,TN
Issue is with closing the machine door when it's not in use and lack of running a regular clean cycle with a machine cleaner and if you find those machine cleaing tablets too expensive try using a diswashing tablet. By all means when you do a clean cycle use the hottest water setting possible on the machine and when it's done leave the door open a little so air can circulate and leave it open after you finish your wash for the day as well. One last thing - be sure to keep the softener residue/build up cleaned up in the dispenser - it will cause odors as well and build up in the actual wash tub and on the washer basket(drum) will be taken care of in the clean cycle.
Randy in Knox,TN
safetty issue?
quote: Iheartmaytag "Even Consumer reports says that leaving the door open is a safety issue, so people think they are doing the right thing by closing it up tight."
Hi I have never ever heard of leaving a FL door open being a safety issue.
What could happen, someone walking into it?, in all my years of appliance repairs I have never heard of this being a safety issue or problem, unless anyone can tell me differently?
Dont want to appear to be taking you to task on this Iheartmaytag but what consumer report have said this is a saftety issue?
quote: Iheartmaytag "Even Consumer reports says that leaving the door open is a safety issue, so people think they are doing the right thing by closing it up tight."
Hi I have never ever heard of leaving a FL door open being a safety issue.
What could happen, someone walking into it?, in all my years of appliance repairs I have never heard of this being a safety issue or problem, unless anyone can tell me differently?
Dont want to appear to be taking you to task on this Iheartmaytag but what consumer report have said this is a saftety issue?
ronhic
Well-known member
Bertrum
There have been cases where children have climbed into US front load machines - remember, they have much larger doors than European machines.
BUT...
Liquid detergents, cool wash temperatures and over-use of fabric softeners (and fabric softeners in general) will cause build ups in any machine be they front or top loaders....
......and wipe the door seal out too!
There have been cases where children have climbed into US front load machines - remember, they have much larger doors than European machines.
BUT...
Liquid detergents, cool wash temperatures and over-use of fabric softeners (and fabric softeners in general) will cause build ups in any machine be they front or top loaders....
......and wipe the door seal out too!
ronhic
Well-known member
mmmmmm......
have just watched the news item....
....and feel quite vindicated.
NOW lets just hope the public LISTEN
have just watched the news item....
....and feel quite vindicated.
NOW lets just hope the public LISTEN
laundromat
Well-known member
I Think
That it's the abusive owners who stink not the front loaders!If they're that stupid to not even comprehend the care of any appliance they abuse,they deserve to get a stinky washer.If you have any common sense it will tell you that any steam or humidity that is entrapped will stagnate and get moldy and some mildew is sure to grow.Those who wash daily will not have this issue.
That it's the abusive owners who stink not the front loaders!If they're that stupid to not even comprehend the care of any appliance they abuse,they deserve to get a stinky washer.If you have any common sense it will tell you that any steam or humidity that is entrapped will stagnate and get moldy and some mildew is sure to grow.Those who wash daily will not have this issue.
iheartmaytag
Well-known member
Hi I have never ever heard of leaving a FL door open being a
It was stated in the article linked on the OP.
There was one case that I knew of where a small child climed in, then his sibling proceeded to turn the machine on.
Any empty item is an attraction to a child. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and fl washers. TL washers are not so much of an attraction because of the agitator. I think that TL washers withouth agitators will immediately drain if the lid is opened to prevent a drowning danger. (don't quote me on this, I've only heard no real experience) When I was little my brother put me in the dryer more than several times. It happens.
It was stated in the article linked on the OP.
There was one case that I knew of where a small child climed in, then his sibling proceeded to turn the machine on.
Any empty item is an attraction to a child. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and fl washers. TL washers are not so much of an attraction because of the agitator. I think that TL washers withouth agitators will immediately drain if the lid is opened to prevent a drowning danger. (don't quote me on this, I've only heard no real experience) When I was little my brother put me in the dryer more than several times. It happens.
mysteryclock
Well-known member
Explain to me...
... how we can have ultra Eco silver steam gear strapped to all of these washers, but nobody's managed to figure out how to use the load sensor to detect an empty washer and activate a quiet computer-style vent fan to circulate fresh air in the washer and dry it out completely? It would only take a few watts and would probably work as well as leaving the door on if it was designed right.
... how we can have ultra Eco silver steam gear strapped to all of these washers, but nobody's managed to figure out how to use the load sensor to detect an empty washer and activate a quiet computer-style vent fan to circulate fresh air in the washer and dry it out completely? It would only take a few watts and would probably work as well as leaving the door on if it was designed right.
laundromat
Well-known member
pussy talk
My cat,Teddy,a manx with no tail,used to always climb into my dryer and go to sleep. I would have to always check inside to be sure he wasan't there.Never once did he ever wind up becoming "Fluffy"but was not happy to get wet wash thrown on him.He actualy fell in the toilet a few times from getting a drink!!I'd come home from work seeing a cat that looked like a drouned rat!Good thing I always flush!LOL I would like to have another manx. They're so much like dogs. No need for a fire hydrant however.LOL
My cat,Teddy,a manx with no tail,used to always climb into my dryer and go to sleep. I would have to always check inside to be sure he wasan't there.Never once did he ever wind up becoming "Fluffy"but was not happy to get wet wash thrown on him.He actualy fell in the toilet a few times from getting a drink!!I'd come home from work seeing a cat that looked like a drouned rat!Good thing I always flush!LOL I would like to have another manx. They're so much like dogs. No need for a fire hydrant however.LOL
EU FL washers vs. US FL washers
I think a big difference between US and EU FL washers is that US FL washers do not reach high temperatures. In the US made front loaders that I have, the hottest setting is 120 degrees F. And there often is no heater to maintain the wash temp so it cools off quite a bit during the wash cycle. On top of that, they use so little water that one needs to flush the hot water line to make sure it's HOT before starting the washer or it will fill with even cooler water!
I think a big difference between US and EU FL washers is that US FL washers do not reach high temperatures. In the US made front loaders that I have, the hottest setting is 120 degrees F. And there often is no heater to maintain the wash temp so it cools off quite a bit during the wash cycle. On top of that, they use so little water that one needs to flush the hot water line to make sure it's HOT before starting the washer or it will fill with even cooler water!
ronhic
Well-known member
Pulsator
..that may be so, but the majority of Australian made front load washers didn't have heaters either. I owned one for 13years and it never smelt - ever.
There are 5 things that people should consider doing that will remove the odour issue.
- use powdered rather than liquid detergent in the correct quantity (or reduced - see below)
- reduce fabric conditioner use to half recommended level if you have to use it (why given most Americans tumble dry is beyond me)
- use warm/tap hot water at least once a week
- wipe the bellows out
- leave the door ajar (and the machine unplugged if you have small children)
As a side note
A recent test of powdered detergent here by Choice has revealed that you can reduce the quantity by half (of the best performer) with no drop in performance. Reduced to a 1/4 dose and it performs as well as the next best detergent AND you can use the wash/rinse water on your garden.
So, you still get top performance and can help the environment too....
..that may be so, but the majority of Australian made front load washers didn't have heaters either. I owned one for 13years and it never smelt - ever.
There are 5 things that people should consider doing that will remove the odour issue.
- use powdered rather than liquid detergent in the correct quantity (or reduced - see below)
- reduce fabric conditioner use to half recommended level if you have to use it (why given most Americans tumble dry is beyond me)
- use warm/tap hot water at least once a week
- wipe the bellows out
- leave the door ajar (and the machine unplugged if you have small children)
As a side note
A recent test of powdered detergent here by Choice has revealed that you can reduce the quantity by half (of the best performer) with no drop in performance. Reduced to a 1/4 dose and it performs as well as the next best detergent AND you can use the wash/rinse water on your garden.
So, you still get top performance and can help the environment too....
bingwsguy
Well-known member
What is wrong with people in this country?
I prepare you in advance...I am going to be in a snit. Even though I am an avid reader of threads on this great site, I haven't posted anything in quite a while. This topic amazes me and sparked me to add my 2 cents. How can the general population in this country still be so ignorant and have a problem with this? My Grandmothers and my Mother taught me to leave the lid (top loader) open for the machine to dry out. Logic says with a front loader to do the same. I have never had a smelly washer issue- and all I do is leave the doors open after using them. One does not need to waste money on "Re-Fresh" washer packets. I suppose this goes along with the "smelly" towel issue....something I also have never experienced. Use hot enough water and that problem won't need to be masked by a de-odorizer....it simply won't exist.
I prepare you in advance...I am going to be in a snit. Even though I am an avid reader of threads on this great site, I haven't posted anything in quite a while. This topic amazes me and sparked me to add my 2 cents. How can the general population in this country still be so ignorant and have a problem with this? My Grandmothers and my Mother taught me to leave the lid (top loader) open for the machine to dry out. Logic says with a front loader to do the same. I have never had a smelly washer issue- and all I do is leave the doors open after using them. One does not need to waste money on "Re-Fresh" washer packets. I suppose this goes along with the "smelly" towel issue....something I also have never experienced. Use hot enough water and that problem won't need to be masked by a de-odorizer....it simply won't exist.
