My HE2 front loading washing machine has a terrible odor. I believe it is from water sitting under the drum because when I shake the drum I can hear water under it. How can I get rid of the smelly water?
Remove the front bottom panel.
there is a trap down there just before the pump. mine was a cylinder with a handle to unscrew the cap/filter.
clean this out every 6 months..
If all else fails, and you haven't already, switch from liquid to powder detergent. I was told the liquids contain animal fats that build up in the machine and gaskets. I use fabric softener and have not had a problem but you may try to cut back on it or cut it out altogether.
Have you tried the clean cycle with bleach only? Commercial additive cleaners are also available at stores. These machines do not use enough water to throughly clean out the soap & crud each cycle. Also leave the door wide open in-between loads to dry out the gaskets.
SOURCE: My HE2 front loading washing machine smells
The first thing to do is to CHECK IN AND AROUND THE RUBBER DOOR BOOT (called a bellow) for small articles of clothing (like socks and underwear) that may have gotten lodged in behind the rubber. Pull the rubber back where it meets the wash tub and look behind it. It is common for small items to get stuck here, become forgotten and start to mildew. You should check this area after each wash and clean it periodically to get rid of the formation of soap scum, mold, and mildew. HINT: When you get ready to wash a load of towels, take a dirty towel and clean the door boot thoroughly (including the areas behind the rubber). Immediately place the towel in the wash and run it on a sanitary cycle. This way you eliminate the need for cleaning rags.
PERIODICALLY RUN THE WASHER ON A CLEANING CYCLE. Place the washer on the hottest setting you have (usually a Sanitary cycle) with nothing but bleach in the wash tub. Some newer models actually have a “Clean Cycle” available now just for this purpose. This helps keep the wash tub, drain lines and pump sanitized.
CHECK AND CLEAN THE DRAIN PUMP FILTER. Accumulations of debris in the drain pump filter can also cause odors. HINT: If you own a shop vac, pull the drain hose from the standpipe at the wall and pull a vacuum on the line. This will drain any residual water left in the tub, pump and drain lines BEFORE you remove the drain pump cover. This will prevent a messy clean up later.
LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN IF POSSIBLE. When not in use, leave the door open to allow the tub to air out and to keep mold and mildew from forming on the door bellow. I know this may not be desirable in some households with small children. If too much mildew forms on the rubber and it cannot be removed, replacement of the bellow may be required.
NOTE: This problem is common with front loader style washing machines. The doors on these machines have an air tight/water tight seal that is great for sealing the washer during the wash cycle, but can be terrible for collecting small garments and for not allowing the tub to properly air out when not in use. Following these simple preventive measures can go a long way towards preventing harmful mold and mildew, and towards extending the life of the door bellow and pump.
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I have the same problem
Thank you for responding. I have tried the clean cycle with bleach and that does help for a few washings but the odor comes back. I will check into the commercial additive cleaners you mentioned. I also have been leaving the door open in between washings. I just wonder how clean my clothes are getting with the smelly water in there. I don't think I will ever buy a Kenmore front loader again.
I have the same problem. At one point I got one of the kids socks stuck between the rubber gasket in the door and the drain between the rubber gasket and the drum. ever since then there has been a terrible smell of a dirty dish rag in the machine. Keeping the door open only helps a little and even then the smell is still noticeable. Advice?
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