I am an appliance repair technician and I will tell you that the odor is evidence of soap buildup on your inner plastic tub. Almost everyone has this problem. To confirm that you do, run an empty cycle with hot water and no soap. If you see lots of soap suds suddenly appear in the drum during agitation you need to do a vinegar wash to eliminate the build up. A whole gallon of vinegar should be used as the vinegar gets heavily diluted in the process. Start a clean washer cycle, then blend the vinegar with the incoming water during the fill. Cleaning out the soap residue takes away the food source for the mold and bacteria. Repeat a vinegar wash every 2 weeks to 30 days. Stay away from pods! They are too much soap and will get you right back where you started. Lastly, if you have a water softner or treatment system use almost NO soap. You dont need hardly any because your water will do the cleaning by itself. Think of your detergent as a water softner and conditioner. The water is conditioned to clean. If you have apparatus doing this on your water supply, adding detergent is redundant.
What about the inner lining? Will that (vinegar self-clean cycle) be enough to clean it or is scrubbing still recommended? It was recommended to use "Affresh" tablets with the self-clean cycle (which get used once a month). But there is still this sewer smell! AND we ruled out the p-trap (p-trap is not what smells!). The smell is coming from the bottom left side/bottom left corner of the washer where the drain tubes are. (Clean out area is empty and clean, draining clear water)
Don't use washing machine cleaners unless they are citric acid based. Check the ingredients and if you see sodium carbonate or sodium anything as the first ingredient don't use it! Sodium is what we are working to remove when we clean. You can't clean out sodium with more sodium! Vinegar or citric acid are food based acids with a mild acidity and won't harm anything in your washer.
Thank you SO MUCH for this video! I followed EVERYTHING you did, and I really attacked the gasket with Clorox wipes, then dried it. I knew about the filter at the bottom, but I NEVER KNEW about the rubber hose that holds that gag awful water...I drained it the same way you did, scrubbed the window (esp at the bottom), cleaned and bleached the filter, then poured white vinegar on the pure mode and ADDED an Affresh tablet too. My washer smells awesome now. I cannot thank you enough!! You SAVED my washer! Thanks SO much!!
7 years and I've never ever noticed this frigging bottom entry and even googled my make and model of how to self clean and Samsung instructed to use Pure Cycle mode as you described with no product and its 2 hours. Still smelled. Purchased products for cleaning high eficiency front loader washers too. And finally googled elaborately how to clean self clean samsung blah blah blah BAD SMELL and here comes your video and I'm mind blown with this discovery trap with stinky water right there in plain sight at my feet (wtf!!!!) and the disgusting stenchy moldy nasty residue when pulling back the resistent rubber. I'm completely jaw dropped and smelly from watching and immediately following everything you did including the vinegar, but took all your advice and will literally never ever think about anything I've washed because was it ever truly clean or just masked with amazing smells?!!! Yuckkkkk. I will rewash everything I own in this actual CLEAN WASHING MACHINE thanks to YOU!! Never again a front loader.
It helps a lot to leave the door open between washes. Our laundry area has a door itself so there is not much room if that door has to be closed. So I wedge a styrofoam cup in the washer door so there is a few inches of gap. I also have a tiny "desk" fan I use to circulate air into the opening a couple times per week.
The salesperson told my wife when we purchased our Samsung washer that when she was finished with the wash to throw a hand towel or regular towel across the door to keep it open to avoid stinky smell and mildew. So far it has worked over three years now. No stinky smell, no mildew, no mold. Never close the door completely when not in use.
Man, thank you so much for this. My washer has got so bad that my clothes, while washed, have taken on the washer smell... I'll be following your advice and cleaning this thing thoroughly this weekend!
I bought a product from Home Depot, called Afresh, that does a great job of cleaning my front-load Samsung washer. Once a month I put a cleaning puck inside the drum and activate the self-cleaning cycle. The first time I used it, after owning the machine for two years and becoming very stinky, it made the self-cleaning water in the drum super dirty. My machine no longer has an odor problem.
I have this same unit, and do all the same things this gentleman showed. Once all loads are finished, I wipe both of the rubber seals as well as under the the smaller gasket. Making sure all of the water is out of there. Then I pull out the detergent tray run it under warm water let it air dry, also wipe down the interior where the detergent tray goes. Finally dry the water off of the door. Sounds like a lot of trouble you say, - takes me all of 3 minutes - and no gunk is left and no smell.
I had no idea! We are in a new home. Came with the front loader. Never had one before. Started smelling....looked into RU-vid. After a few non helping videos I found yours! Now I know...and I am following your advice on the whole process. I am also following you on RU-vid lol. Nice work!
Thank you!!! This helped out so much! It’s the only video that I watched and a few minutes after watching I took action. My washer is now on “Pure Cycle” ;) No mor smelly clothes! THANK YOU!
I was ready to throw out my front loading washer and go back to a top loading washer. Thank you You Tube! With a number of videos and comments on how to combat this smelly washer and our smelly clothes, I have now had my problem solved! Never again will I use liquid detergent! First you must clean out your washer with powdered "Dishwasher" soap and do this about 3-5 times (first clean out your filter at the bottom of the washer) Then do not use the liquid detergent. Use a no-name powdered detergent or one of your choice from that point on. My clothes and machine no longer stink!
I was about to take everything apart as I saw mold or something building up around the opening but saw your video and by cleaning up and removing the standing water in the little hose in the bottom already make a huge difference! Thanks for this! Very good up to this day! :-)
Thank you for the video. I wish I'd found this before I paid $200 to have someone to do the same. Happy we didn't have to replace the machine but would like to have my $200 back 🙂
Hi All, it's not only the filter and wiping out the door seal of excess water that you need to clean. You also need to pull out the soap drawer completely, then spray, brush & wipe out the roof of this area. Never keep your drawer shut as mould will have a party. Always leave the door of the machine slightly ajar so the door seal can air. (It's in most manuals & how to videos by the manufacturers). If you follow these few simple steps you'll find you'll need less soap & will have cleaner washes. The environment will appreciate it to. 🦋Happy Washing 👚🩲🧦
I actually just found my filter today since the water was sitting in the tub and was pitch black.... Glad I had solved that... So I did some more searching on maintenance I should be doing and found this video! Thank you so much. I was already wiping it down with white vinegar and cleaning the rubbery grey border, but I had no idea what the pure cycle mode was... I just have it running empty right now to clean it out, but I'll be sure to use the pure cycle next time.
That was some good pointers. I have one for the last 8 months. I figured the best way is to not get the smell in the first place. I leave the washer door wide open for a few hrs till the water evaporates, then close it. No water no mold. But yes one still has to clean the filter at the bottom regardless.
undecidedlady79 I did the same thing! And I had to stop using liquid fab softener because my tray was flooded and not draining until I cleaned my machine-Now I am wondering if I should stop using Downy altogether, because it DOES leave a build-up. I now use Tide pods with the Downy in them (when Incan find them) to cut down on the liquid fab softener usage. I use dryer sheets whenever possible!!
Good advice yup remove that drawer stick it sink give it a good clean now look in space where drawer was u should see some holes in top area that would be directly above detergent drawer when it's inserted I'd use a small toothbrush for these also have to be cleaned as they are nozzles that spray water to mix with detergents before entering down into drum also back area use an old cloth give it all a good wipe perform good maintenance regularly and it should help extend the longevity of ur machine theoretically
You have to do this every 2 months to prevent your clothes from smelling and keep your washer operating properly. It says it in the manual. You should also leave the drum door and detergent drawer open so it can air out and dry after EVERY wash.
Have had my LG for 2 - 1/2 years and never knew what that little door was for. Well that I what I get for not reading the manual. Thanks for the video and the comments now I can clean out my washer.
Put a cup of vinegar in between wash, let it sit till next wash. Run clean cycle as much as 2 a week! With front loaders the drain pump turns on first!!! That’s why you want to let it sit between washes. I’ve had mine for ten years and decided to replace drain pump to keep it to its optimum operation.. keep in mind these front loaders have their own heating element which brings the water to sanitize temp.
Thank you so much! I have a Samsung for almost 3 years now. The smell gets on the towels and on the baby clothes, just everywhere! I hate the smell and it is embarrassing! No baby deserves to smell like that. I wasn't aware of the comparment at the bottom but hubby does and said he hasn't cleaned that for a long time. Ugh! I ran a Pure Cycle last night and I am running a load of towels with just vinegar with warm water right now (my first time washing clothes with just vinegar), hope it will get rid of all smell. Thank you for showing us! It helps a lot
I have a Kenmore washer in use for about 14 years. Every month I run the cleaning cycle (41 minutes long) with either 3/4 cup of bleach or an Affresh tablet for washer cleaning. Then I wipe the rubber seal around the door and the door itself. After washing I leave the door cracked open and the detergent/softener tray partly open so the insides dry. Never had any bad smells out of the washer.
You have to do this every 2 months to prevent your clothes from smelling and keep your washer operating properly. It says it in the manual. You should also leave the drum door and detergent drawer open so it can air out and dry after EVERY wash.
Just found out my mom never told me about cleaning this thing. She has been doing this for years and I was completely in the dark that this even existed. Thanks mom.
I have the exact set that you do. Thanks for posting this! I have cleaned out the rubber gasket and drained the water, but didn't get the filter out and clean it. Duh! Need to do that still.
I have a front loader now for almost 12 years. It’s a Samsung. My machine never smelled of mold or anything other than The detergent that I’ve been using. I’m guessing because when I’m done with washing clothes I never close the door (all the way )to the washing machine which creates an airtight seal which does not allow the washer machine to breathe/Air out.
Henry Yulfo Great. Henry, what is the model? Kg? I am looking to get a front loader but not sure which to buy. If you had your for 12 years. 👍😘. What is the brand and model. Thanks
How is it that a machine is sold in the millions and you are not supposed to close the door when done? My laundry room is tiny and I deeply regret my purchase.
That's a fact. Our washer doesn't could not smell it by being by it and starting loads its the clothes started smelling and that's when we figured it out now almost 4 loads are ruined and can't get the smell out we've now ran the clean cycle with bleach twice and vinegar too and drained it multiple times but those loads are still smelling from before sadly even though washer is better
We just bought a used Samsung set at a moving sale. Like new, beautiful. They had 5 cats. The washer wouldn't drain so I pulled the filter and it had a handful of cat litter in it.
Wonderful. I had stuff nobody should find in their home. I will add that the filter has an o-ring. Take that off and clean that also. Take a toothbrush (not to be reused) and make sure all crevices and rubber areas are clean and shiny. Mine had hardened. Wipe the botton of the front door porthole, stuff collects their also. If your washer still smells, you didn't get it all out. Use a bright flashlight to check all those dark hidden areas. It is everywhere!
Thanks so much, jesus christ i can't believe this is not in the manual... i have tried everything, ended up here. Cleaned out all the gunk, lets see if the smell is gone tomorrow
All good advice. One other thing you can do to clean the inside drum of the washer is to place mouthwash into say a spray polish plastic cap [the cap covering the top of the spray can] and place it inside the washing machine on it's own and run the washing machine on a short wash cycle. The mouthwash that has antibiotic cleans the bacteria inside the washing machine. Do once or twice a month
thank you so much, the stink was driving me crazy, I had done the Vinegar and the cleaning of the rim, but I didn't even know about the hose and the filter(no sticker or nothing).
Couldn't find a frying pan so I used a heart-shaped Valentine's day baking pan....yea! I worked :-) Hey thanks for this video...mine was stinky too. This took all of 10 minutes and worked great! Same Samsung but maybe a different year model.
Switch to Charlie Laundry Detergent. It's cleans your tub everytime you do you laundry and leave ZERO residue. Regular detergent like Tide and Gain leaves a shit load of residue.
So glad I watched this. I have the same washer and I am experiencing the smell. I have drained filter in the past, but not like I'm supposed to. Tried using the bleach tablet. Now I'm going to try the vinegar with the pure cycle. Thank goodness for you. tube.
The really big problem with these machines is when the spider bracket corrodes and the drum starts spinning off center. There are plenty of youtube videos that describe this problem. When it occurs the entire machine needs to be taken apart and the spider needs to be replaced.
Joe Vignolo - yep exactly what happened to mine! I read where one guy got some water proofing paint stuff from a auto parts store, that he was told is used on jets to protect certain parts from water damage. A small can was about $15. He painted it on the new part you spoke of to prevent corrosion. Mine was in four pieces and had parts that looked like ground up powder. What a rip off!
😁😁😂😂😂 I thought I was the only one that takes away my wife's pots and pans!!! I would never use them for things like this but I am always stealing her stuff out the kitchen like the towels and baking pans etc..😂
I still have the manual and it all comes with the instructions for those who need it. Cleaning the debris filter 1. Open the filter cover by pressing and pulling the handle of the filter cover with your finger. 2. Unscrew the drain cap by turning it counterclockwise. 3. Hold the cap on the end of the drain tube and slowly pull it out about 6 in. (15 cm) and drain off all the water. 4. Remove the debris filter cap. 5. Wash any dirt or other material from the debris filter. Make sure the drain pump propeller behind the debris filter is not blocked. 6. To assemble the filter cap, align the projected part of the filter cap to your 12 o'clock (on an imaginary clock) and turn it clockwise. 7. Replace the debris filter cap. 8. Replace the filter cover. Cleaning the door seal ANING THE DOOR SEAL 1. Open the washer door and remove any clothing or items from the washer. 2. Inspect the gray colored seal between the door opening and о the basket for stained areas. Pull back the seal to inspect all areas under the seal and to check for foreign objects. seal 3. If stained areas are found, wipe down these areas of the seal, using the procedure that follows. a) Mix a dilute solution, using ¾ cup (177 mL) of liquid chlorine bleach, and 1 gal. (3.8 L) of warm tap water. b) Wipe the seal area with the dilute solution, using a damp cloth. c) Let stand 5 minutes. d Wipe down area thoroughly with a dry cloth and let the washer interior air dry with door open. MPORTANT: Wear rubber gloves when cleaning for prolonged periods. Refer to the bleach manufacturer's instructions for proper use. Pure cycle This course is a self-cleaning course that removes mold that may occur inside the washing machine. 1. Press the Power button. 2. Press the Pure Cycle™ button. Finish • You can only use the Delay Start function. 3. Press the Start/Pause button. Carment + 57* chid lock Door look g .. Pure cyclel Delay Start • If you press the Start/Pause button, the Pure Cycle course begins. • Using the Pure Cycle course, you can clean the drum without using a cleansing agent. CAUTION • Never use the Pure Cycle course when laundry is in the washing machine. This may result in damage to the texture or a problem with the washing machine. • If you want to use drum cleansing agent, use only 1/10 of the amount of the drum cleansing agent recommended by the cleansing agent manufacturer. The Pure Cycle Auto Alarm Function • If the "Pure Cycle" button is lit after a wash, it indicates that tub (drum) cleaning is required. In this case, remove the laundry from the washing machine, turn the power on, and clean the drum by performing the Pure Cycle course. • If you do not perform the Pure Cycle course, the "Pure Cycle" indicator is turned off. However, the "Pure Cycle" indicator will light after two washes have been performed. This will not result in a problem with the washing machine. • Although generally, the Pure Cycle Auto Alarm appears once a month or so, the frequency may differ depending on the number of times the washing machine is used
