Suggest re-posting on "Laundry Room" forum.

I have had a Kenmore HE (1st generation) for about 10 years. After about 3 years it developed a terrible, sewer type odor when I did the first load of wash each week. I thoroughly researched the problem in the laundry forum trying everything that was suggested. The only thing that worked was switching from liquid to powder detergent and from liquid fabric softener to dryer sheets. The smell went away completely. Last month, I ran out of detergent and bought a small bottle of Tide at a convenience store. Before the bottle was empty, the smell came back. As soon as I switched back to powder, it went away. I believe it has something to do with the wax in these liquids coating the outside of the washer drum creating a biofilm for bacteria to flourish in. I tried Affresh and it did nothing to help the problem. I think all these front loader cleaners are a waste of money.

I sold a washer because it developed a sewer smell. I bought a Speed Queen and after a while it started smelling. I had been using liquid detergent. I went back to using powders and the stink disappeared.

I've never used anything to clean my washer besides it's own rinse cycle. I suppose you could pour in a quart of vinegar every once in a while and run a load. Affresh is expensive and unnecssary. You could probably still add baking soda to your whites loads. I use OxiWhite Revive for my whites. Enjoy your new washer! Post these questions in the laundry room forum and you will have more answers than time to read them!