Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

OP here - I drained my washer last night. The water was pretty darn clean and there was nothing in the filter. I was hoping that whatever came out would be gross and gunky, thus solving my problem. I guess not. That said, I've put a reminder on my calendar to clean it out every month going forward.

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t done it, but here is the laundry stripping method.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a33588329/laundry-stripping/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_pmx_us_urlx_17703649415&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI49fJmZiq_wIVCcvICh2EDAFMEAAYASAAEgKpQ_D_BwE

That article says it’s not worth doing.

To avoid OP’s issues,…

Even months, I run a “very hot” cycle on our front loader after filling the bleach compartment with unscented bleach. After, I run an empty Quick Wash just to make sure the bleach was all flushed out. The bleach kills just about anything.

Odd months, I run a “cleaning cycle” using Glisten CLOTHES Washer solution per their instructions. After, I run an empty Quick Wash just to flush any residue out. This helps remove any gunk buildup.

(I think other brands of clothes washer cleaning solution also would work; Glisten is cheap at Walmart. Be careful about label reading. Glisten also makes a Dishwasher Cleaning solution, which is different.)

I have literally never heard of that Clorox laundry sanitizer and I think that might be your culprit. What is it and why do you use it?

I use All free & clear and have never had weird smelling laundry. My laundry comes out smelling like nothing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Actually we haven't cleaned in a while! I totally forgot about that until you mentioned it. Okay going to do that right away, thanks again for the reminder.

What ?? I have never done this….

Anonymous wrote:I wonder if enough water is washing and rinsing the clothes. Can you try a water level boost setting to wash with maximum water?

I've never heard of this - time to go to YouTube!

Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Actually we haven't cleaned in a while! I totally forgot about that until you mentioned it. Okay going to do that right away, thanks again for the reminder.

I wonder if enough water is washing and rinsing the clothes. Can you try a water level boost setting to wash with maximum water?

Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Anonymous wrote:I've had good luck with the oxiclean washing machine cleaner. Also try using less detergent. Finally, every once in a while I will add borax when I'm washing kitchen towels or regular towels.

I don't use the Oxi Clean cleaner but on about a quarterly basis do use commercial food-grade ascorbic acid in both the clothes washer (front loader) and dishwasher.

And, like you, I use less detergent and throw in borax every now and then. I also don't use fabric softener at all or dryer sheets.

I've had good luck with the oxiclean washing machine cleaner. Also try using less detergent. Finally, every once in a while I will add borax when I'm washing kitchen towels or regular towels.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The free of scents detergent isn’t masking the odors that are there.

This. Your clothes really haven’t been getting clean it’s just the detergent masking the scent. Kind of gross if you think about it. You probably need to strip your clothes. Built up oil, sweat, etc. I don’t allow my husband to put his workout clothes in with anything else because if he does they all end up stinking. I have him strip his clothes four times a year.

Okay so then how do you "strip" the clothing?

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a33588329/laundry-stripping/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_pmx_us_urlx_17703649415&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7CgmAcOHpLt3QnI1RdJBF_pSvQm5E0fEpbrvBsHfgYqADXruw-Qa6tiIaArfREALw_wcB

Try Hex, unscented, when you do your wash. It’s a deodorizer only so you still need to detergent.
To clean your machine, you might want to try vinegar in the detergent drawer and a cup of white vinegar in the drum on the sanitizer cycle. Really long, really hot. Has always worked when I’ve done it.

Use a splash of Simple Green

with any detergent

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could there be mold in the washer?

No I keep my washer immaculate. It's a front loader so I'm very careful to keep it clean and to always keep the door open.

Wouldn’t matter. We had an old moldy front loader that stunk and the clothes still came out smelling clean, so it’s not that anyway.

I probably forget a load in the washer once a month and the smell always washes right out on the rewash with no lasting issue.