My old Neptune probably had the worst case of mold and detergent buildup ever on this forum. It took a manual cleanout it was so bad after 4 years.

Since then I have used powered detergent (Persil in my case), hot wash at least once per week, bleach in my whites may have helped too. I also do not any longer use liguid fabric softener. I have not had to keep the door open or anything else and after 2 1/2 years I have had zero odor problems or buildup at all in the machine. Laundering habits are the number one problem with machine odors.

Not leaving the door open just isn't a good idea...even if you don't have problems with it. A lot depends on how frequently you use your washer, what and how much detergents or other additives you use and what temperatures you choose. If you leave the inside of the washer cold and damp for several days (even after a hot wash it will eventually cool down) you are just asking for a mold problem!
I don't understand at all why people think that it is such a hassle to leave the door slightly cracked by putting a rag or towel or something between the door and the latch. It takes all of a second or two...

I read this thread title and thought I knew the reason for the smelly laundry for sure. I may not, but thought I'd share what I know in case it does help someone.

I found that my gas dryer was producing smelly laundry, and it stayed on the clothing until it was washed again. I called PSE&G since it was such an industrial type of odor, and I actually even smelled it while I was cooking on my gas range! I thought that somehow something was wrong with the gas supplied to our house.

The PSE&G guy came, smelled the laundry, chuckled and asked if we were doing any work in the house, such as painting. I said yes, we actually had been painting our 3rd floor. He said that the fumes from the paint were drawn all the way into our basement and burned by the flames in the gas dryer!

So, now I know that even though I can't smell paint fumes in my basement, the fumes will be sucked down there by the dryer.

This may not be the trouble for anyone on this thread, but maybe it will solve a stinky mystery for someone else!

I have had my LG FL washer and dryer for almost 1 1/2 yrs. The dryer makes a loud noise ever since I have owned it. I have experienced a sour smell in my wash cloths, then towels. I first thought it was because the wash cloths were not being "dried" thoroughly after use, and prior to being washed in machine. Bought an "octopus" from IKEA to hang them on. Still didn't work. Now the towels are becoming sour smelling. I have read all posts here and from Google search for sour smell. I have always left the washer door open after each use. I began using only HE detergent in machine. We have used every detergent out there. I have soaked, pre-soaked, washed several times....all to no avail. The weird thing is, it's only the towels and wash cloths. My other clothes are fine. I read about the ammonia on another site, I will try that. I just hate the idea of having to buy new towels and wash cloths because my washer is making them smell. I never had this problem when I had my top-loading Kenmore that my Mom and Dad bought me in 1984. I still have the matching dryer, and it is still working fine. The only thing I have had done to the dryer is a belt was replaced, oh, 7 or 8 yrs ago. I am ready to give this washer and dryer to my sister-in-law, and purchase a new set, especially after reading all of the posts here with all the problems with FL machines. It sure will be cheaper. I will write to LG as well and complain. Thanks for all of your posts. JK

I read this on the Consumer Reports website a guy there that works for LG said to go to Home Depot or wherever and get some Whirl Out and put 4 Tablespoons in the washer run on HOT cycle Long wash time and it will get the smell out and maybe this will help your towels. You can't wash the towels in it but you may have build up in the machine and maybe the smell sticks to them more because they are a thicker fabric.?? BTW This Whirl Out is for spas, hot tubs to get the gunk out of them. The guy said they did this at an LG training class and showed the before and after and he said it worked very well. This is what LG recommends for their machines.

Try these steps:
1. Always leave the door to the washer open after use to let it completely dry inside.
2. Use baking soda in the wash cycle. See info. on box as to how much to use. It neutralizes odors in towels, etc.
3. Don't let your laundry sit long in the washer when the cycle ends or you may end up with mildew in the clothes which smells, especially in a towel you're drying your face with!
4. Dry clothing completely or hang items on a drying rack that has good air circulation to dry.
5. Run vinegar through the washer from time to time to clean it out.

I am finding that my teen son's clothes do not get fresh with only one cycle and have to run two quick cycles to get them clean, and I dare not put many items in. This works better than a two hour soak followed by a full cycle. The manual says two cycles of washing may be necessary for soiled clothing! I am NOT saving time with this FL -- although I like it for delicates.

Does anyone else have a different idea for getting perspiration smells from clothes that cannot take Hot water?

I had the same problem with sour smelling towels and switched to the hot cycle, even for red ones, and if they don't go immediately in the dryer, I wash them a second time and use softener. I am now using hot for sheets also. Never had in the past, seems to improve cleaning.

Also, I am using bleach on a small load a week and although that helps eliminate washer odors, I have now acquired a few spotted shirts from stray bleach droplets.

I think the FL, I have Bosch, is so efficient with water, there isn't enough to rinse or purge all smells, plus the enzymes the HE detergents rely on build up and can only be removed w/ bleach or vinegar.

Thanks for the idea about going back to powder, I'll try that.

I think the detergent industry needs to work on this problem as we try to be more environmentally conscientious by purchasing low water use appliances. Using bleach is not enviromentally friendly.

julieofminn
I am not sure if this will help, but it did for me. I switched to a true, all natural laundry detergent. (Charlies soap) what I have learned is chemical detergents build up not only in your clothes, but in your machine. This will make both smell sour. It's a long story, I will try to make it as short as I can.. a few months back, I bought a Laundry Pure machine. .the rep told me to let it run at least 3x's before I did a wash so I do not redeposit chemicals in my clothes. .ok .thought that sounded reasonable. .I put the machine on for my first time, and through the window, I saw a dark blue liquid going through ..I called the rep and asked if this was normal as I had no idea, first time using it. .anyway, I talked with her tech support and the first thing he asked me was if I used Tide. .I did! (HE no less and always the recommended amount) any way. .that was all the detergent residue build up coming out.. I was stunned! I had to run the machine at least 5x's before doing laundry. .well.. the laundry pure did not work out.. after I returned it, I went to all natural because I didn't want chemicals in my clothes after getting them all out.. I haven't had the sour smell ever again. .and yes..I have left clothes in the washer over night (by accident) and no smell! You may have an over load of detergent residue in your machine. .this will definitely cause that sour smell.. once you use all natural for a while, you will not have that smell, also you do not need fabric softener or dryer sheets...(if you feel you do on occasion, use a little white vinegar.. hope this helps!

You should try adding 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Borax to each load. It helps with the smells and cleans out the washer and helps control mold/mildew. Also the Charlies soap will really help clean out your machine,but if you don't plan to try it or switch try the borax. It does help!!

Thanks for the suggestions. I have soft water and so have only been using about 2 Tbsp. of Tide HE. I also have run the machine on empty and will do that again to check on build up. Whenever I notice excess sudsing, usually on towels, I run them on an extra cycle w/o any detergent.

I'll pick up Borax for starters b/c I have used the old-fashioned remedy of vinegar many times and that is only mediocre with athletic clothing smells.

Sparky,
Borax + powder detergent worked GREAT on removing perspiration from my son's clothing on a reg. warm cotton wash! Thanks. I used Surf, 1/4 cup, + 1/4 c. Borax which was plenty with our soft water. This will save me a lot of time and bother. Too bad I didn't figure this out during marching band season.

I even forgot a load of jeans overnight and having used only the powdered detergent found they were fresh-smelling and could go directly into the dryer. With the Bosch, the powdered detergent is flushed thoroughly with water as it is sent to the drum, so I am not worried about dissolving.

Julie of Minn.

Julie-
I only use powdered detergent (Sears) now without any smelly clothes. I ALWAYS start a load of clothes before I go to bed and it sits all night before I put them in the dryer without any problems. I also use a scoop of oxygen bleach on really soiled clothing and can't remember the last time I washed anything twice. I have soaked items in a bucket with oxygen bleach before washing though.

I don't have any trouble with perspiration stains after washing-- and we get some pretty nasty tshirts that are worn under football uniforms.

If you are getting excessive sudsing on any load, you are using way too much detergent!!! It takes some experimenting. I use the Sears detergent and use less than 1/2 the recommended amount with excellent cleaning results (Makes it really economical too-- $20 on sale for 275 loads which will last me over 500 loads).

Once you figure out what works for you and your washer, you WILL realize there will be water, energy and time savings!

Good luck!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Interesting article on how HE and FLs work

Leave the door open when the machine's not in use.

Also, remove the detergent drawer, you may be surprised by what you find. I remove my detergent drawer, take it apart, rinse it and let it air dry a few times a week. (It's not as hard as it sounds, takes 30 seconds.)

When the drawer's out, look around the compartment on the machine. I had lots of mold on the interior surface just above the detergent drawer. I sprayed it with bleach cleaner, let it sit, then used a spray bottle of water to rinse it thoroughly. (Drains right into the machine, so it's easy.) That was a few years ago and I've been delighted with my machine ever since.

I posted this on another formum on mold in FL washers (although this would probably work for TL, too)
I solved my stinky waasher problem. I have a Kenmore Eco-Care FL, bought about 5 yrs ago. About 2 yrs ago I noticed that towels smell after one use. (I do not use fab soft only vinegar.)Sheets and clothes also not very fresh. To make a long story short: Tried Febreeze,Vinegar,Smelly Washer, bleach, borax, baking soda, Cascade, Washer magic--nothing changed smell of towels and/or washer. I took all towels & sheets to laundromat and washed in original lysol then used vinegar to rinse. Then did clear water wash/rinse. Spent lots of $ that day. Then took apart washer and cleaned coin trap and hose/tubes in lysol solution. I thought this would solve problem, but it returned. Finally I decided to try a mildewcide (toxic, I know) because I felt that if I ruined washer it was no great loss as I decided to shop around for another washer anyway. I put in 1/2 cup of Zep Odor Control Concentrate (barely a smell to it) in the tub,set for hot water, allowed this to agitate for about 5 minutes--the washer filled totally with suds. I added manually another gallon of hot water. Agitated 5-10 minutes and turned off machine. I let this sit overnight and then in the morning agitated about 5 more times , off and on. I then let it sit until all suds receded and then went to rinse so all drained and then continued until end of cycle. Set it for another cycle with hot water (no additives). No smell in washer. I now do a few things different with all my wash--a bit more time and a bit more water: put 1/4 cup baking soda in tub, HE detergent in tub (bypass soap disp), fill washer with water at desired temp. Stop machine, add laundry. Return to start of cycle, agitates a few minutes then usually adds more water to load(or I stop machine and add gallon manually via soap disp). Complete cycle. Turn to cold water, add vinegar to bleach dispenser section (not fab soft section), complete cycle. Dry as usual. Finally no more stinky washer or laundry. I am still looking for new machine but right now, water bill still lower and I can take my time deciding. Initially I added baking soda in soap disp for second cycle as it took a few loads to get out the yucky smell. I now do this Odor Control "wash" about every 6 wks or so. I also leave door and disp drawer open and have placed a container of Damp Rid in the washer. If I need bleach, I have been using liquid non-chlorine and also add to tub before filling with water. I discovered that with this machine the bleach is not released into the soapy wash but during the 1st rinse. My feeling is that the bleach and soap should work together not separately.Also, the Odor Control can be used in laundry but if needed, I'd do this in the laundromat and not in FL due to suds. Ends my long 2 worth.

I started putting a scoop of Oxiclean, along with liquid Ecos Laundry Detergent in every load. I Haven't had any problems with odor since.

I've been lurking in this forum for quite awhile and finding the info very useful so now I have a question. I just got my new FL washer a few weeks ago and love it. Yes, they told me to use only HE detergent, but I've been using my good old Avon Bubble Bath that I've been using for years in my TL. It is the best thing for laundry in my opinion....and anyone else who uses it swears by it too. It not only cleans great but makes the clothes smell so nice. I was also adding So Clean Washing Soda too before as we don't have a water softener in our condo building like we did at our house. Since it's powder I'm wondering if it's safe to add a small amount of it along with the liquid in the detergent dispenser. I know the book that came with the washer (it's a Whirlpool) says you can't do that but then they seem to say there's lots of things you can't do.

I've never run into this issue myself in 6 years post college. (though I'm now thinking about tracking down what cleaning procedures I should be using on my washer&dryer)

If it is any help I just use Arm and Hammer detergent and I've never run into this. (that I know of anyway)

You can certainly try using the Avon Bubble Bath product at a very reduced rate, but I'm not too optimistic that it will be satisfactory for you.

The reason for my pessimism is that FLs, unlike TLs, definitely need a low sudsing product in order to get the clothes clean and not foul the machine with excess suds. And a bubble bath product seems by definition created to promote suds.

Excess suds interfere with the washing action of FLs by cushioning the water and preventing good plopping or sloshing of the clothes as they fall back into the wash liquor after they are carried up along the sides of the drum. And, unlike a TL, a FL can create a great deal of suds from a small amount of detergent because of how it agitates.

In a FL too much suds can leave behind a film of soap on the innards of the washing machine which is likely sooner, or later, to grow a nasty case of mold.

The other thing to think about is that most FLs rinse so thoroughly that there should be nary a hint of the smell of the product left in the clothes. Most Americans have become accustomed to having a remaining smell of detergent in their stuff, so they miss it. But If you can smell the detergent, it has not been completely rinsed out and gradually will build up in your textiles.

So, that's why manufacturers recommend the HE products. However, I have to confess that I have never used HE products in my Fls and have had no problems with over-sudsing beyond my initial searches for a good detergent. I did have to give up my then-current fave detergent, ERA liquid, when I bought my first FL many years ago. I could not reduce its dosing level enough to avoid billows of suds and still get it to clean my stuff satisfactorily. I finally settled on an inherently low-sudsing brand name powder at a dosing rate of 1 tablespoon per load. This works perfectly well for my machines and my water, YMMV, of course.

Something you could try on your initial loads is using no detergent and seeing if you get suds from the build-up in your clothes. You will have to adjust your eye to the new machines because you should not really see the thick level of suds that most people are expecting from previous experience with TLs. In fact, I usually prefer to see only a thin veil of bubbles flowing lightly over the window. If you've got 3 or 4 inches of bubbles on the water, you have too much and that will interfere with good cleaning. Once you've got the residue out,, you can experiment with a small dosage of product and see how it performs in your machine, with your water.

Switching to the completely different washing action in a FL is a definite change that may require some adjustment for you. But most pople wind up being very pleased with their new washers and I think the transition is easier if you are flexible about products and dosing.

I think the key to working out which product to use (whether HE or non-HE), and how much to use, is to be willing to try and reduce the dosage to the point that it doesn't clean well, and then raise it in steps to the point where you get good cleaning, but without too much suds. It takes time, and the willingness to rewash a few loads that don't clean well when testing a product to find the lowest, effective, dose. In the long run though, getting to that point will save you money (by avoiding unnecessary product), provide you with perfectly clean clothes and keep your machine from gunking up with detergent residue.

HTH,

Molly~

Use only dry detergent and not much of it. Liquid soap (HE included) contains animal fat which will cause an odor that builds over time. This information came from an appliance repairman.

A couple years ago my daughter was going crazy trying to figure out why her towels smelled okay coming out of the dryer, but very nasty and sour when she dried her face with them. I researched here and was able to give her some suggestions that solved the problem. I used a new FL for about 4 months before moving, and followed the suggestions below, and never had any odor issues. I'll do the same when we move into the new house.

1. Switch to Charlie's Soap. She'd been using smaller amounts of a regular detergent. After several washings, the towel odor lessened, and finally vanished completely, and hasn't returned. I know there's a difference of opinion here on the forum about CS, but both she and I swear by it now.

2. Clean under the seal -- she had soapy gunk built up there. I check it periodically to make sure it's squeaky clean.

3. Leave the door open until the washer is dry. For my daughter, this means leaving it ajar all the time, because she does at least one load a day, usually more. For me, it just meant leaving it open the rest of the day till I was sure it was dry.

4. My daughter doesn't do this, but I did . . . I made sure the detergent drawer was dry between uses.

5. I use about a TB of fabric softener and then fill the compartment the rest of the way with white vinegar. I've always used this combination and believe it produces very fluffy and soft clothes.

Good luck!

Smelly laundry can be caused by buildup in the machine from liquid detergents and fabric softeners. Fabric softeners contain waxy products, that what makes the clothes feel soft. It is also why softened towels don't absorb water very well. Switching to a powdered detergent can help.

An engineer for a large appliance manufacturer recommended this procedure for cleaning out the machine. Put the machine on the heavy duty cycle with all the options, and a hot wash. Allow the machine to fill. Stop the machine and add a quart of regular bleach, or 2 cups ultra bleach. Use real bleach, not an all fabric liquid or powder. You will be amazed at the amount of suds that you will see. You may have to repeat the process if your machine is really gunky. Do this cleaning cycle once a month.

To help reduce buildup, you can add a tablespoon of washing soda to a load of clothes. Washing soda is an excellent degreaser, and boosts detergent performance.

Go back to using the MelaPower detergent you loved. If it doesn't have instructions for the correct dose for a front loader, start with 1/4 the amount for a top loader. I have never used HE products in my front loader. You don't have to use HE products in front loaders, you can get excellent results with many products.

Hi there. I work at Whirlpool, and we recommend a product called Affresh to help eliminate washer odor. Affresh washer cleaner tablets break up many of the residues that bacteria, mildew and mold grow on, and it removes them, leaving you a cleaner washing machine.

For a limited time, theyre running a promotion on whirlpools website that will get you free shipping on a 3 pack of Affresh tablets! You just enter EAF822 as the promo code, and theyll ship you the packet at no cost to you!

If your washer really stinks, you might have to do three straight cycles with just an Affresh tablet in the washer in order to get rid of the odor.

Here's another vote for Charlie's Soap. I have been using it since I got my FL washer about a year and a half ago, and I've never had any kind of odor or sour smell in my clothes or towels, even when I have forgotten a load in the washer overnight. I've also never had to use any type of extra cleaning product to "de-smell" my washer. I think if you have to do use a product to clean your washer then you are not using the right detergent. You know, treat the problem, not the symptom. Just my opinion.

I don't think sour towel smell is strictly a FL issue, either. Years ago I had trouble with it when I had a top loading machine and I didn't have the laundry forum to help me figure out the solution.

If you look at the ingredients on the Affresh package, its active ingredient is sodium percarbonate. The same active ingredient in Oxyclean, Sun Oxy Wash, and many other of these products. You could more than likely get the same results with a few scoops of Oxyclean, at a much friendlier price to boot.

It seems consumer reports has at least recently acknowledged that there is a "problem" with mold (see link) and FL machines, but this brief article/blog entry really does not help much as I consider this $1600+ purchase. Would like some more solid answers because the negative reviews are really scaring us away from the FL machines. I really don't want to be signing up for complicated repairs, extra cycles, additional chemical treatments/products, and constant maintenance and bleaching of inner parts. Who's happy with their FL machine and what is your make/model? And what sort of detergents are you using?

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/08/mold-on-washers.html

am_indy,

I've had a Whirlpool Duet since 2003. No odors, no mold, no special cycles or products. I use Sears Ultra Plus HE powder detergent, white vinegar instead of fabric softener, and Oxyclean in the appropriate loads. I always leave the door open when not in use. I love my washer.

I don't know why people have so many problems, but I suspect it is because they leave the machine door tightly closed all the time and use too much fabric softener. That's just my guess. I've learned everything I know on this forum (sorry Mom).

I think a lot factors into smelly laundry and machines. Water temp used, type of fabric, water quality, detergents and/or fabric softeners used.

I have used Borax without detergent and softener in the past when it came to odors. Has taken care of it everytime I have used it. Then again I do not get too many odors because I clean my machine every week or two. But a good soak in Borax in the machine does it everytime if there is a prob.

Over 3 years and zero smell in my Neptune now that I switched to powdered detergent, use correct amount, rarely use liquid fabric softner, at least two loads are hot wash each week, at least one has bleach.

One of the best improvements Maytag made with the Neptune was to add a door ventilation system. I dont need to keep it open. I has a large vent hole that protrudes into the drum area and vents on both sides of the top of the door. The rubber boot has zero discoloration or mold, largely helped by the boot drain and correct use of detergent. These are improvements all washers should integrate had the industry learned from its prior failures. Bottom line is all they care about anymore.

Combination of too much or too little detergent and other chemicals, laundry not properly rinsed, luck of HOT wash cycles and not leaving door open in between cycles.

Intermittent or persistent odor in cleaned laundry, especially towels, is a sign of remaining odor-causing residue in the "splash area" just above the normal water line where suds and soiled water splash up but don't get rinsed out. Rather than calling for repair, clean it yourself by adding 2-5 extra gallons of hot water AFTER the washer has filled itself into a hot cycle. This water can be added either through the door, lid or slowly through the detergent dispenser. This is done in order to raise the water level to include soaking the "splash area".
For more serious cases a long soak with a washing machine cleaner may be needed. If your washer does not have a soak cycle you can push "pause" to stop, unplug the unit or shut off the circuit breaker or try opening the door to stop the cycle and allow to soak.

After being laid off, I became a stay-at-home Dad. And yes I let the laundry set for a couple of days. What a stink! After baking soda, vinegar and all of the other tips I went searching for my own answer. Listerine did the trick. It's an antiseptic and it will kill the germs, mold or mildew. Pretty simple and did the trick. I had to wash them twice to get the Listerine smell out but there is no more odor from mildew.Good luck

Same thing happened to me! I switched detergents (Tide) and omg the smell was horrible! I clean my washer once a month, don't have city water, we have a well, I don't use fabric softener, kiddos get a rash, so I seriously think it's something they put in the tide that makes the laundry stink! I searched online and what did I find? Tide sells products to "clean" your washing machine! I've never had this problem with any other detergents I've used, most are the less expensive brands! I used vinegar (1 gallon) amonia (1 bottle) sorry don't remember the oz, mouthwash (2 big bottles) and nothing would remove the stink. I was desperate so I grabbed some Sun laundry detergent and Lysol lemon scent (1/2 cup) and after 2 washes the stink was gone! Never again will I use tide!

This is a Zombie Thread and almost all those posters are long gone. There has been a lot of debate here about the use of vinegar and an active, recent thread regarding it. Not sure what the consensus was. Must admit, that guy suggesting listerine had a novel concept . . .

I cannot remember the exact words, but I was told there is a bacteria in the HE detergent that prevents over sudsing. This bacteria dies in your machine and I guess on your clothes and causes the odor. A repairman told me this years ago. Funny how you cannot find anything about this online. My next washer will be a top loader. I have tried everything and nothing works to get the smell out of my clothes.

"donnonne: I cannot remember the exact words, but I was told there is a bacteria in the HE detergent that prevents over sudsing. This bacteria dies in your machine and I guess on your clothes and causes the odor. A repairman told me this years ago. Funny how you cannot find anything about this online."

That's because it's not true.

Really, what is your explanation. Clothes never smelled before the front loader.

Soap and/or other defoamers such as silicones in detergent prevent over sudsing. There is no bacteria in laundry detergent. Most detergents contain enzymes which aren't alive but can become inactivated by bleach or high temperatures.

Smelly laundry is a sign of detergent residue and/or too much cold water washing. This detergent residue can cause smelly laundry as well as a smelly washer. The detergent residue is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and mildew in your washer and can cause a layer of smelly biofilm to accumulate on all the components you can't see within your washer.

Run several cleaning cycles of your washer using Afresh or similar. Rewash your laundry with no detergent and use no more than 2 tablespoons of detergent or one pod on subsequent loads. Wash in at least warm water if not hot. Use a cycle every once in a while with chlorine bleach and leave your door and detergent dispenser open to let your washer dry out between loads.

If your laundry still smells, your washer isn't rinsing well enough and you should add an extra rinse to each cycle.

An interesting read if you dont fall asleep reading it..

Information about soaps and detergents

You'll find the answer if you go up and read the entire history of this discussion thread .... advice and details from several people on proper usage and maintenance of frontloaders ... bleach on occasion for whites, choice of detergent (what works for one doesn't necessarily work for everyone) and dosage, hot water.

I use HE detergent (for years) and nothing ever has had an offensive odor.

It's the water temperature. My compact FL machine has a heater. For towels, I use the sanitize mode, the extra heavy duty wash selection and 1/2 the amount of detergent I would normally use plus two extra max speed rinses in addition to the "extra" rinse" setting. (5 rinses total) I have hard water so I add two tablespoons of Calgon also. My old machine did not have a heater so I bought bleach resistant towels and used one ounce of bleach, placed in the bleach cup. It worked. For regular laundry, try adding some BIZ or Borax with your detergent...no more than 1/4 cup in a regular size machine. To clean the machine monthly, I use a Cascade pod with the "Basket Clean" cycle. (I add an extra gallon of water via the detergent drawer after the machine fills.) Never over load your machine and ALWAYS leave the door partially open when not in use.

I had the same issue with them smelling clean until they got wet--like the instant you used a towel or got caught in the rain. After trying every trick in the book and detergent (long story short), Purex crystals--the dry form of Purex. The liquid doesn't cut it--just the powder. I don't know if it works in the front loaders--but it's worth looking in to for your sanity's sake. lol

Such good questions! I have an LG FL, and I agree about powdered detergent, ESPECIALLY for all-synthetic clothing! I learned that from a clothing Sales rep of outdoor and adventure clothing. The liquid detergents do not fully break down and rinse out. The residue acts like fabric softener, preventing the wicking ability of synthetics. If it‘s not rinsing out of clothes, then it must also be leaving residue in the machine!

I tried something new with smelly sheets and towels, and overly dirty or smelly clothes. It‘s a bit of a commitment, but worth it.

I do 3 washes: Alkaline, Acidic, Alkaline.

Short wash with only oxy-clean on hottest setting, Alkaline. Then short wash on hot using only 3/4-1 cup white vinegar, Acid. Then regular wash with detergent, but by now I only need a small amount, since the Acid, vinegar, has neutralized the Alkaline, Oxy-clean. Think about science in school: if you pour baking soda into vinegar, it foams.

I don’t need to do this for every load, but done 2x per week, it keeps the washer smelling so fresh. And the clothes come out clean!

I got rid of a 6 year old top loader because it smelled so bad. I was ready to ditch my Speed Queen top loader last year for the same reason. I did some research and realized that ever since I started using more liquid detergent, my washers would smell, even though I would occasionally use powders. I got rid of all my liquid detergent and have been using powders for the last year and my SQ has no odor! Not to mention you're saving the environment by ditching the plastic bottles.

@elbits what's your favorite powder detergent? I like Tide F&G powder and ALL Free powder.

littlegreeny, Tide w/bleach powder was my favorite but I haven't used that in years. I started using the Sears powder w/enzymes(it rinsed very well), but that was discontinued, I still have an unopened box. So I started using liquids and that caused the stench in my toploader. Right now I am going back and forth with Gain original powder, Purex powder, and a container of Persil powder, which was clearanced at Walmart a few years back. BTW, the Persil powder does NOT rinse well and neither did the All unscented.

The only Tide powder I used recently was Tide F&G powder, it rinses really well.

I grew up with my mom using Sears powder and our laundry was spotless. Too bad it was discontinued...

In total agreement about the Sears Ultra Plus. Besides this pic I have about a dozen boxes left.

I miss Sears...

Sears detergent in my brief experience with it did not dissolve very well and was kinda harsh ... seemed to have a lot of washing soda. Convinced my sister to try it, she didn't like it.

dadoes,

What I do with my FL Bosch is start the Wash cycle and let the drum fill up with a little water. I then pause the cycle, open the door, and add the Ultra Plus. I then let the drum rotate for about 20 seconds. Doing it this way no powder is present when I add the clothes.

It works great on my 3 kids stinky/stained clothing as well as the Wife's Daycare kids spills/messes during the day. It is one of a very few detergent that I can use for my Son as he breaks out in a skin rash with most other detergents, power or liquid.

I have others say that it is harsh on their clothes and fades black clothing but I have 20 year old black shirts for my work that are not faded and look great to this day.

It is the easiest rinsing detergent I have used as well.

Jeff

Update from my original post. I got rid of that Bosch washer that did a poor job at cleaning clothing, especially sports clothing, and bought an LG 5000 series front loader about 3-4 years ago and ALL my laundry comes out smelling clean now, plus less wrinkled. There is a sportswear setting that gets the sports clothes clean and the bedding setting is great for comforters and blankets or even winter jackets. The delicate cycle, towels cycle, perma press cycle and more work great. I think the second generation front loaders that shoot pressurized water into the rotating tub of clothing seems to have improved the cleaning power of front loaders. Also, they have the Speed Wash cycle that gets stuff done in under a half hour, except some settings this cycle is not an option. I have found powdered HE Tide original to work well on everything. Just washed clothes with dirt and grass stains from gardening and it looks perfect.