My kenmore tumble action washing machine is very smelly. What could be the problem? I have dogs - could dog hair be blocking the drain?
Hi
First of all we need to know the causes of smelly washing machine…
The lower temperatures of water fail to break down the grease that comes out of the clothing. Even small amounts of grease and oils that come from the skin can contribute, over time, to a greasy build-up. In short, wash water temperatures below 60 are a breeding ground for bacteria. Of course if you want to save energy a lot of us wash in low temperature or cold washers. In some models, there is a filter under the cup that is for the fabric softener. That filter can collect lint, hair and other buildup that can cause a rank odor. You can usually pull out the filter and clean it regularly. Poor quality detergents, liquid detergents and color friendly detergents are not a washing machine's friend. In fact, all of this can contribute to a smelly washing machine. Because many of the detergents do not contain bleach and some machines never really have bleach used in them, bacteria is allowed to thrive and the result is an offensive odor. Sometimes water can collect under the rubber door seal of front loading washers and behind the tub. When the water does not drain or dry, it stagnates and emits a terrible odor.
There are easy fixes to the problem and then preventative maintenance that you can perform regularly….
Run your empty machine through a hot wash cycle and add bleach. This will kill the bacteria and should eliminate the odor. run baking soda through a wash cycle in your empty washer and add vinegar to the rinse cycle. Vinegar is also great for eliminating the smell in clothing (smoke, smelly socks, towels, etc.). Just add a little to the load along with your detergent and the smell goes away. run a bleach or baking soda and vinegar wash every three or four weeks. This will keep the smell from returning. Also, if you periodically run washes that are high temperature (your bed sheets should be washed at higher temps - bed bugs can survive at temps below 60° so who knows what else survives).Towels should also be washed at higher water temperatures and it would not hurt to add a little bleach or vinegar for good measure. This can serve to keep your machine smelling fresh in between your monthly maintenance.
Hard water can also be a culprit. It can leave deposits that can cause problems. A water softener should help, but a periodic vinegar and soda wash or bleach wash will kill the bad smell from your unit.
Let us know if you have something more to know else accept the suggestion.
Thank You for contacting Fixya.com
Hi, the cause of the smelly machine could be the hair of you dog or any other things like dirty socks, filthy underwear and soiled baby clothes can all find their way into the washing machine.
Decide on the source of the smell. Typically the cause is the machine itself, but occasionally the water being used in the washer can be the source of the problem. If the smell resembles rotten eggs, you may need a water filtration system installed. After you eliminate any other possibilities, you can begin the treatment process.
Create a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to 2 cups of white distilled vinegar.
Begin a wash cycle using the machine's hottest setting. As the water rises, add the baking soda and vinegar mixture.
Let the washing machine complete a full cycle. If you notice any
residue that has been loosened, use a cloth to wipe the surface clean.
Run a cold water cycle to complete the process. You should immediately notice that the smell has been neutralized.
Take care
Hi, it can also turn out to be that the filter is clogged. A back to back load can cause the water to not drain pass the plugged filter.
Take care
that's all good and fine but I can't mix the baking soda with vinegar without getting a huge mess of foaming vinegar/soda all over the counter, Does plain vinegar work?
You can give it a try......
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