Stinky Washer I have a 6 year old Kenmore Elite top load washer. Recently it has begun to smell like mold, and I suspect it may be mold build up in the agitator, but I am not sure how to clean it, or if the smell could be coming from another part? I leave the lid open, but it doesn't seem to help. Stink go away!!!! Please help! Thanks!

clean the door boot carefully with bleach if mold grows in the lower door drain holes it will mold and stink,you will see black spots on the boot,thats mold

Run a cycle ,no clothes in, with about 3 cups/ 750 ml of bleach in it. How? put a fil a plisticbag with the bleach and set it in the washer. It will tip up when you start the cycle. You should end up with a clean washer and clean empty bag.

If it has a clean cycle that says, "Bleach Only," run it with 1/2 cup bleach right in the machine. If not, run it on the longest, hottest cycle you have. In the future, leave the door open slightly between loads.

are you on a well??
do you use bleach in with your whites??
some well water untreated can cause exceptionally stinky machines, especially if no or very little bleach is used during white washing..
usually if you use bleach in with your whites in normal amounts and leave the door open in between uses there should be very little stinky odor or mold growth.
the mold growing on the gasket is a sign of to little bleach or none being used, and/or a really damp environment for the unit to reside in.
they do make several cleaners designed just for stinky front loader washers..
they might help..
i've been using a front loader for 13 years, leave the door ajar between uses, and use bleach in every white load and have had no issues with stinky unless i or someone else doing wash forget and close the door for a couple days, then it gets stinky but goes away after white load with bleach and hot water..
hope this helps,
best of luck,
ttfn

I have the same problem. Nothing works fcfor the mildew. i have bleached it, used simple green and used baking soda. That washer is the biggest piece ever!! Good Luck!

I agree with your concerns, but, unfortunatly, leaving the door open and emptying the drain trap is all you can do. I would also start washing your laundry with at least a 1/2 cup of borox with each load. This will help with the smelly cloths as well as running the monthly clean cycle or an empty express wash with only bleach.

thaty have this one stuff called affresh its used for frontloaders but you can use it for toploaders too it works great

all kenmore named washer will have 110 as first 3 digits of model #..the he washers are usually good washers..like all front loads they have their quirks ..if you read reviews from other consumers they indicate problems ..most of which are easily remedied by reading owners manuals..mold /mildew usually a bleach clean every few months ..vibration need real solid floor..oversuds use HE detergents only..just a matter of changing mind set from top loads with 25 gals of water each fill to a front load with 5-6 gals each fill..top load with 750-850 rpm spin speed to front load 1000-1200 rpm ..if willing to learn proper use and what to expect they can best investment..just don't let opinions of those unwilling to adapt affect your decision

i have repaired appliance most my life i tested soaps and softer,at our own family shop,i can tell you that washers do not make mold or bad smells either does cloths its what and how much product that you are pulling in the washer that is molding and smelling and it stays in cloths building up load after load,i have a kenmore he3t front load washer i use 1/3 cup powdered only.armen hammer only. non he only.my washer inside is spotless smells clean and fresh all the time, you will need to clean yours inside out with bleach then use affresh weekly switch to 1/3c powered soap

Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah, LLC, is currently investigating defects and other problems in certain front-loading washing machines manufactured and/or sold by Whirlpool, Kenmore, and LG Electronics, including Kenmore Elite HE3 front load washers, Whirlpool Duet front load washers and LG Tromm, LG XL and other LG model front load washers, which result in the growth of mold/mildew in the machines and which can cause the staining of clothes and other problems.

On August 29, 2007, SFMS filed a Complaint against Sears Holding Corp. involving its Kenmore HE, HE2, HE3, HE4, HE5 and other front-loading automatic washers. If you own a front-loading washing machine that is manufactured by any of the above-mentioned companies and are experiencing the growth of mold/mildew in the machine, visit the following website: www.frontloadwasherclassaction.com