Cleaning your front load washing machine

In today's Dallas homes, Here at On-Time Appliance  front-loading washing machines are popular choices as compared to traditional, top-loading machines for 3 main reasons:

1.    They wash more clothes per cycle, lowering household energy costs
2.    They?re environmentally-friendly, using less water per cycle
3.    They?re gentler on clothes, preserving colors and fabrics longer

They also require more care in the cleaning department.
Because of the way most front-loading washers are built, they tend to pool water in their drums, which can be a breeding ground bacteria and mildew.
Whether your front-loading washer smells dirty or not, you'll want to follow proper procedures to keep it clean.
First, only use High Efficiency detergent. High Efficiency detergent is super-concentrated and creates fewer suds than traditional laundry detergent. Fewer suds mean more soap is drained in the rinse cycle, leaving fewer chemicals and fragrances to sit in the drum.
High Efficiency detergent is also sold fragrance-free. This is the preferred variety for a long-term, stink-free washing machine.
Next, at least once weekly, take a dry cloth and wipe the inside rim of your front-loading washer. There, you will find a wide plastic tube in which water settles between loads of laundry. If you find stains or grime, remove it. If your washer has a drain filter on its front-lower edge, remove the filter and allow the water to drain. ( Check your user manual ) preferably onto a towel or into a bucket.
Then, lastly, consider running an empty cycle with just bleach and water. This is optional, but can help remove lingering stench. 
Once your front-loading washing machine is cleaned, going forward, after each load runs, try leaving your washers front door open. This will allow fresh air to circulate through the washer and help drum-settled water to evaporate.
With less water and humidity in the drum, bacteria growth is slowed.
Here are some comments left by customers about their Front load washing machine odor problem.

This happens to me with my front loader.

Also, the rubber seal around the door stays wet and gets moldy.  I think that is where most of the smell comes from.  If I am going to be using bleach for any clothes, I always do that load last and it seems to freshen the inside of the drum. After the last load, I leave the door ajar so that it can air out.  I also clean the rubber seal with spray tub and tile cleaner that contains bleach every week or so.  The important thing is to make sure that it is dry and that there are no pockets of sitting water on the seal after you are done using the washer.  The idea about leaving the door ajar came from my sister in law and I have just started doing that in the past month or so and it really has made a big difference.  I think since the system is so airtight, unlike top loaders, the moisture does not evaporate once the door is shut.


Here's what I do, and it works for me

Use about a quarter cup of vinegar and add it to your wash.  It takes away the entire odor as well as any musty smell of any laundry that was left in the washer too long.  My towels in the summertime, if I leave them in the wash too long (which doesn't take long), will smell awful, vinegar will take it right out.  Otherwise, try running a bleach wash, with nothing in your washer.  If you have well water, that may be the reason.  In that case a water softener will help.
If you need any more assistance for your front load washing machine repair Or if you are in the Dallas or Collin county area Visit On-time Appliance washing machine repair or call us at (214) 916-0337