https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:16:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740332 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:49:28 +0000 Boogs 2740332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We keep ours open always to air out and do an occasional empty wash with some bleach or vinegar and we don't usually have problems. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740318 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:30:57 +0000 MsMini 2740318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would definitely give the machine a good all over cleaning first (gaskets, drain/filter etc) and then run a machine cleaner tablet. After that then make sure you always leave the lid open! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740314 Thu, 25 May 2017 16:26:53 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2740314@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Another vote for afresh. We've only had our front loader for about a year but we haven't had that issue. I'm wondering if in the time the house was vacant it sat closed and building up mold. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740242 Thu, 25 May 2017 15:06:36 +0000 Littlebit7 2740242@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd do a few things. I'd run either afresh or the ride washing machine cleaner. Id give all the seals a really good bleach wipe down and make sure the filters are empty<br /> I'd run a few loads on hot.<br /> Always leave the lid up especially since it's in the basement<br /> I'd also try to change up your detergent game, if even for a short term. The more natural detergents can leave residue (and also they just don't clean as well no matter their claims). We have realllly been loving Persil recently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740239 Thu, 25 May 2017 15:04:58 +0000 hellobeeboston 2740239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also leave the kid open in between, and I "wash" the machine about once a month. Clorox makes an HE machine cleaner that I use. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740211 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:40:30 +0000 SweetiePie 2740211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely check out the rubber ring/gasket for gunk. Sometimes even a sock can get stuck in that and you may not know it.<br /> When this happens to me, I know it's time to run the Tide HE Washing Machine cleaner. I get them on Amazon and they knock any smells out for a good 2-3 months. You run it on an empty load hottest cycle. I think it dissolves any buildup and leaves it smelling great. BUT it's a strong smell. It's a good clean smell but it will fill your house, last for a week, and overpower your regular detergent when you wash your clothes for a week or so. It is a very nice smell but if you use unscented detergent I thought you should know.<br /> May also be a way to use vinegar and baking soda (separately). I do that with stinky towels but have never done it on an empty washer. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740209 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:38:00 +0000 littlejoy 2740209@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: My husband suggested this the other day, and I just noticed he left it open after the last time he used it. I'll see if that helps. It's in the basement too, so it's just stagnant down there. </p> <p>@looch: We just switched, and LOVEEE the scent (Method Mango something - it's soooo good). BUT, maybe since it's a more natural detergent, it's not cleaning the machine? Also, just thought about the fact we usually use cool water for laundry. Maybe a load on super hot would be useful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740204 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:33:19 +0000 looch 2740204@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: Have you thought about changing up your laundry detergent? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740199 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:28:49 +0000 Smurfette 2740199@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you keep the lid open? We keep ours open when not using it. It helps. Then clean the tub once a month. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740192 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:20:42 +0000 littlejoy 2740192@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LomaLinda: @JMOM: It's a top loader, so I am surprised we're having this issue. </p> <p>@Rocker2014: @Shantuck: Thanks for the recommendation!! I'll check to see if it has a cleaning mode. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: Good idea about the delayed start!! Though, honestly, it's usually a matter of us just forgetting about the laundry. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740177 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:05:23 +0000 Rocker2014 2740177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We regularly use Affresh, like @Shantuck: posted. Works for us if we use it regularly a few times per year. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740174 Thu, 25 May 2017 14:02:19 +0000 LomaLinda 2740174@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We actually got rid of our front loading HE washer because of this and went back to a basic top loading washing machine. It didn't matter how many cleaning cycles I ran or what I scrubbed the rubber seal with(it holds water and gets moldy), our clothes stank. We are much happier with our top loader now and no more stinky clothes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740167 Thu, 25 May 2017 13:55:51 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2740167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Theres no way I can leave clothes for 6 hours in my washer. We have really hard water and it gets the funk really easily. Thankfully our HE has a delay start. So if I start a load before bed, I just delay it to start about an hour before I wake up in the morning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740150 Thu, 25 May 2017 13:42:04 +0000 JMOM 2740150@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is it a front loader? Is there mold in between the seal and the metal spinner thing? You might clean out the drain plug and filter, there might be a blockage there. I found this video on Youtube that I thought was helpful, I'm going to do this on my washer soon.<br /> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEgcgan9XOg&#038;t=189s" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEgcgan9XOg&#038;t=189s</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740137 Thu, 25 May 2017 13:33:07 +0000 Shantuck 2740137@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had this issue as well. We usually pop in a washer cleaning tablet (an example is this one: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C91Q86I/ref=asc_df_B00C91Q86I4999085/?tag=hyprod-20&#038;creative=394997&#038;creativeASIN=B00C91Q86I&#038;linkCode=df0&#038;hvadid=167151917164&#038;hvpos=1o1&#038;hvnetw=g&#038;hvrand=15289968455753058572&#038;hvpone=&#038;hvptwo=&#038;hvqmt=&#038;hvdev=c&#038;hvdvcmdl=&#038;hvlocint=&#038;hvlocphy=9021761&#038;hvtargid=pla-307846438695)" rel="nofollow">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C91Q86I/ref=asc_df_B00C91Q86I4999085/?tag=hyprod-20&#038;creative=394997&#038;creativeASIN=B00C91Q86I&#038;linkCode=df0&#038;hvadid=167151917164&#038;hvpos=1o1&#038;hvnetw=g&#038;hvrand=15289968455753058572&#038;hvpone=&#038;hvptwo=&#038;hvqmt=&#038;hvdev=c&#038;hvdvcmdl=&#038;hvlocint=&#038;hvlocphy=9021761&#038;hvtargid=pla-307846438695)</a> and then run the washer on the self-cleaning cycle. I think after it runs you are supposed to wipe down the washer with a dry towel. In our old house, it took a few cleaning cycles to get the odor entirely gone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/he-washer-making-clothes-stink#post-2740120 Thu, 25 May 2017 13:16:14 +0000 littlejoy 2740120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just moved into a new (to us) home. The washer/dryer are amazing - HE, new-ish, really "advanced". &lt;- our last one was 10 years old and so basic. </p> <p>Soooo, with this amazing new washer, I'm surprised that if we leave clothes in it for even 6 hours, they smell like mildew. Of course I've experienced this in the past, but it was always after forgetting the laundry for 24-48 hours. </p> <p>Could there be grime from the last people that lived here? Is there a solution I can put through the machine to refresh it a bit?</p> <p>ETA: It's a top-loader </p>