Newer Maytag smell

[goatfarmer]

Our daily driver, a Maytag dependable care from about 1995, leaves an odor in the clothes. My wife describes it as a musty smell. When using the backup washer, similar Maytag, but electronic controls, the smell isn't there.

Any suggestions?

 

[westie2]

Could it be gunk build up in the outer tub?  Or even a small cloth in the outer tub?  Or something caught under the agitator.

 

[llmaytag]

Maytag

Do you have pics of your DPs?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Kenny -

Check and see if the machine itself smells inside. I agree with Westie2 that there may be gunk build-up on the outer tub. If your wife uses a lot of cold or cool washing this time of year, and especially liquid softener, there could be 'slime' building up on the sides of the outer tub. I've been told that liquid detergent can add to this as well. I think we at least partially have non-phosphate formulations to thank for this.

If you want to dissassemble the machine a bit, you can verify that. Once not long ago I had to use half a roll of paper towel to wipe the literal POUND of slime off the sides of the outer tub of a large cap Kenmore BD which had been used with cold water, inexpensive liquid detergent, and softener. The slime was musty sour smelling, it was nearly black, and had the consistency of mayonaise. GROSS.

Several fills with hot water and bleach got rid of what I didn't wipe off, but the black water was unspeakable while it agitated. I had been telling the owners not to wash in tap cold water in the winter...they wouldn't listen...now it's warm or hot all the time for them as the dirty bleach water convinced them.

If you don't want to take the machine apart, try TIDE Washing Machine cleaner - I hear it's pretty potent and effective.

Gordon

 

[tomturbomatic]

Something that may work to clean the surfaces between the tubs is to fill the machine to the medium water level (1/2 tub or less) with VERY hot water and add a cup and a half of dishwasher detergent, 1/3 to 1/2 cup of STPP and a cup of bleach. Let it agitate a few minutes, but before it goes into spin drain, pull the drain hose out of the sink or standpipe and hold it over the tub opening. When the machine spins, the water level will not drop but it will cause the water to surge between the two tubs and possibly clean the gunk. With the water level switch not able to reset, you won't have to worry about the spray rinse. After the spin after wash stops, shut off the machine and let the surfaces soak for maybe 15 minutes with the lid closed then repeat unless the water is so gross it has to be drained. You should see the removed soil in the water. After the second spin, let the water drain then repeat the treatment and then do a follow up with clear hot water. If the smell goes away, you don't have to repeat it. This beats the major disassemply needed to remove the inner tub to clean the inside of the outer tub.

 

[goatfarmer]

Thanks, gang. I tried an empty load, about 3/4 full, with a cup of bleach. It helped, I'll try the dishwashing detergent. Pulled the agitator, and cleaned the lint traps underneath, not much was there.  Sounds like you had a LOT of fun, Gordon!

Pics? I'll get a few.

 

[ronhic]

What Tom suggests...only

No bleach. Bleach will kill off any enzyme action in either the washing powder or dishwasher detergent and will not actually 'clean the gunk' or help loosen it.

 

Fill the machine with as hot a water as you can - there's no point only cleaning the bottom half of the tub!

 

Add a couple of kettles of boiling water too if your hot water service line to the machine can't be 'bled' first.

 

Add a double dose of detergent or a cup of dishwasher detergent - don't add bleach!

 

Let it agitate for a couple of minutes and then let it soak for at least 1/2 hour.

 

Let the machine finish the cycle.

 

Now, if you wish to, run this again but with bleach and no soak. The bleach will now be able to work properly.

 

 

 

[tomturbomatic]

Really hot water kills enzymes, too. I was thinking of a real DW detergent, like for the food service industry, not one of those weak sister products made to work in warm water where the wash lasts for more than half an hour and the enzymes sorta negotiate the soil off the dishes.

 

[combo52]

SMELLY MID 1990s MT WASHER

When MT went to the bigger tub opening, separate fill flume and redesigned plastic encased balance ring this problem of stinky washers started to occur much more often for MT. The good news is that the problem that earlier helical drive MTs had of redepositing lint and scum on the clothing as the water was being spun out was largely solved by the new balance ring, and the problem of leaking inlet air-gaps was also solved by the new fill flume.

 

As with any design you win some and lose some LOL.

 

[goatfarmer]

I ran a cycle of dishsoap and hot water yesterday. It seemed to help quite a bit. We'll see what happens.

 

[frigilux]

Kenny--
When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought you meant your Maytag was new and had a 'new car smell'. Turns out the opposite was true!

I use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner in my front-loader, but I think you're on the right track with the dishwasher detergent. Best of luck, and let us know if the recommended cures work for you.

 

[cphifer5115]

i would try the washing machine cleaners out there instead of the DW detergent. someone once told me that DW detergent will eat away at the enamal coating on the tub that is if you have a metal tub. as mentioned above inthe previous post tide washing machine cleaner can be used in a regular top load washer just run the longest cycle on hot water with out any clothes in the machine and fill it full of water.