Sour smell in kenmore elite top loader

This is pretty common. Get some front loader cleaner at the store

It is recommended by the manufacturer that you leave the washer door open on all front loaders when not in use or the washer can develop odors, or begin to mold and mildew. Leaving the door open allows the tub air out. Because this is the lowest point of the drain cycle, gravity will always cause residual water to reside in the drain pump and drain lines. The water will NOT evaporate, but it will keep it from becoming sour. The following link explains what some of the common causes of odors in a front loader are and how to prevent them:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3608512-getting_rid_front_loader_mildew_odor

Newer model Kenmore Elite, Whirlpool Duet and Maytag Epic have a "Cleaning Cycle" button on the front panel. The owner's manual will explain how to use this feature.

If you do not have a cleaning cycle, use the hottest setting you have about once a month with a small amount of bleach to keep the spin basket and wash tub sanitized. I recommend the "Whitest Whites" cycle set on the "Light". This cycle is only 48 minutes.

Read through the link provided and make sure you periodicallt check the drain pump for debris that can cause odors and make sure you are using the correct detergent. If you have any questions, please post back and let me know. I hope this helps you.

clean the washer with bleach and a small amount of detergent

I used 2 quartz of Clorox bleach running a full load without clothes. After that the odor has gone for good. Try that.

If you have a front loader it will hold water around the seal of the door and after time it will mold and start to smell.

normal problem all front loads all brands.. leave door open as much as possible.. to clean fill tub with hot water pour in 2 cups chlorine bleach use rag in solution wipe gasket out as good as possible allow washer to run normal cycle ..do as routine when ever odor is first noticed leaving door open will allow most of water to evaporate

2 things you may try if you haven't already ..let washer fill with hot water ..pause and open door pour in about 2 cups chlorine bleach before starting back up..with rag soaked in bleach/water clean inside front door boot ..be sure to roll boot toward front and clean out accumilation under it wash as much as possible off door seal..allow to finish cycle (normal wash should be fine)..may also try removing lower panel remove pump acess plug and clean pump out thoroughly..you are not alone ALL front washer have same issue and if some sort of routine cleaning isn't done problem reoccurs also leaving door slightly open between usues will help ..by the way that is a german made washer

Same problem with my front loader. You have to make sure to clean out the rubber trap in the front regularly. it seems to collect alot of hair and plug the drain hole. also it helps to leave the door open when you finish washing to further reduce the stagnant water smell. Use fabric softener for the towels!

hope that helps.

We had the same problem with our front loader. (after only a year) We ran a load on "sanitary" setting with bleach. After that we leave the door open after EVERY load. That has fixed our problem