Musty Whirlpool Washing Machine

[Ron G]

Hi-- I have a horribly musty Whirlpool Washing Machine, a top loader.

Best But service person will no longer clean out all the fibers caught somewhere in the top inside. They say Whirlpool will not cover it anymore. I'm getting at my wits end, it stinks up our one-level home.

Don't know if I actually even believe Best Buy. The service person has come up with truly amazing answers to other problems, over the last 5 years

Like (Washer Faulty top door switch intermittent) Best Buy servicepersons analysis: It's a problem in the house wiring, get the house wiring replaced! (She refused to order the switch, so I ordered it myself, then she was mad because she had to install it)

Like a faulty Washer control timer: (Same) Best Buy servicepersons analysis: It's a problem in the house wiring, get the house wiring replaced! (Later she angrily replaced the timer control)

Like the (dryer) door light going on and off at random: ( I thought it was the door switch) But, Best Buy (Same) servicepersons analysis: It's a problem in the house wiring, get the house wiring replaced! ( I later found out myself that the light bulb had a broken filament, so I solved it with a 65 cent new bulb from Ace)

Don't know if I actually even believe Best Buy Servicepeople. So, I'm being told that they will not service the washer to get rid of the stink. We leave the lid open, but no help. She used to clean all sorts of stinking fiber junk out of the Washer, but no more.

She advises us (again) to buy a front loading washer, as they never build up fibers that stink and rot. Plus she ads that no one sells top loading washers anymore, anyway. Our washer is about 6 years old, I think.

I am partially diasbled, and cannot pull the washer out and get down on the floor to take out screws, etc. Gone are the old days when I did absolutely all repairs around our home. But no real complaints, I'm kickin' , just in a different way. Real light hobbies. "Change is inevitable, adaptation is optional" :-)

Thanks for any replies Best to you--- Ron

[buffalobill]

if the lint fibers are built up between the inner perforated tub which holds clothes and the outer water holding tub, you'll want to bleach them. if you have a plastic instead of stainless tub it may seem to hold more odors. turn on an exhaust fan and follow washer instructions, run a full load of water, agitate to mix in the bleach, and let it soak.

see also:

[Tom]

The bleach is an excellent suggestion and to keep the soap scum from forming a soap ring in the outer tub, add a cup or so of white vinegar to the rinse cycle when you wash your towels. This will keep the towels from getting scratchy plus cut that soap scum which is where the mildew is probably growing and causing the stink. Unlike the bleach, it isn't a good idea to let the vinegar sit and soak in the machine as it is slightly acidic and can etch the glaze on the porcelain tub. You already said you leave the lid open and that is also a help in keeping mildew from growing.

Tom G.

[mm]

I think she likes you. Have you tried pulling her pigtails?

Well it is sort of strange that you have fiber junk in the washer. I've never had that. I have a Kemore, built by Whirlpool I think, and it has a lint chopper, no filter, but I've had other machines and they never stank, or had fiber junk Can you identify the fiber?

Is the fiber the cause of the smell?

That would be a shame. It means I'll have to buy second hand. For one thing, I like the ability to add clothes after it has started. I usually forget things.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[HarryS]

Do not mix bleach and vinegar. If you try the bleach method, be sure all of the bleach is rinsed out of the tub if you then try the vinegar method. Alternately, if you try vinegar first, make sure it's rinsed out completely if you then try bleach. Mixing vinegar and bleach can release dangerous amounts of chlorine gas, especially in these quantities.

[Tom]

Is that right...I had heard that you don't dare mix bleach and ammonia but I had never heard of the problem with bleach and vinegar.

Tom G.

[marks542004]

Does your machine have a lint filter ring at the top of the machine ?

If so are you cleaning it after every wash ?

Since you seem to have had a series of problems with the machine I would contact the manufacturer and get a different service person to have a look at it.

I would also write to the store and let them know of the problems with their service person.

[Art]

Best rule.... NEVER mix cleaning agents.