My front loader makes my house stink. What can I do? Has anyone been able to return them? I'm ready to tear it out and file a lawsuit against LG. Does anyone want to join me?
Susan
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Simple advise: Only use a full tablespoon of detergent.Using too much detergent causes a very bad smell. I also use vinegar with dark loads. When I cut back to just a tablespoon the smell went away. I also leave the door open when not in use. Make sure that you clean out the fluids every month with vinegar .
Quit using liquid detergent, use powdered only, and no liquid fabric softener. We had the same problem, I was ready to throw it out. I now use store brand H.E. powder and the smell went away. The big box of powdered detergent lasts months and months, do not use more than 2 tablespoons per large load and for a small load, not heavily soiled, 1 tablespoon will be sufficient; remember there is not much water in the tub.
I never have to leave the washer's door open now. I got this advice from a repair man. Petroleum products leave a residue on any of the parts that are plastic, and when that builds up...phww. We also had to quit using body wash in our new shower, same smell. We now use bar soap or liquid soap and the moldy smell is gone, gone, gone!
Jean from Maritime Canada.
I don't have one of these (but was Googling all over the place when we were considering buying one, as a neighbor had a similar headache with hers) and there are LOADS of consumer boards all over the Web that mention not only the HG, but a lot of other front-loaders; seems the major problems come from mold growing in the door seal.
Don't know if this will help, but having someone who's handy take off the door seal, scrub it with baking soda and/or a vinegar and baking soda paste, and replacing it could help drastically.
After that, for maintenance, the door seal should be hand-dried as well as you can. Physically get into it after each use and the door kept propped open for a 1/2 hr.-45 minutes to infiltrate the rest of it to help inhibit the mold growth.
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Anybody attempt to return or exchange LG front-loading washing machines because laundry has offensive smell and feel? I just bought it and matching dryer in June 2007. Nor do the whites stay any whiter as is the front-loading myth. I am starting to contact Home Depot and the manufacturer, because I want to return or exchange them. Any similar experiences?
I don't want to try all the various fixes that other e-mail threads suggest: Purewash, vinegar, etc. No seller told me about this problem or need for various treatments when I was shopping. Only that they were amazing. I believe they are defective, because they are unfit for their intended purpose. My first phone attempts have been the first 1-800 customer service rep referring me to another and then to another and another. Should I be working with Home Depot or the manufacturer? Any experience with this?
squid66 from Albuquerque, NM
I received a front loader from my son when they moved, it is about 5 years old and it works better than my top loader ever did. I use homemade detergent and vinegar for the rinse. My electric bills have gone down and I am able to dry clothes in less time. (12/05/2007)
By bethcallie
I would call the service reps again and if they are no help ask to talk with their supervisor and keep asking to talk to the next higher authority. Also, if you purchased the units from Home Depot I would talk with the store manager and see if you can't make a swap or work out some sort of a deal. If no results, contact the area manager. I also would do the same with manufacturer.
In my state, there is a group of people who work out of the attorney general's office that intercedes in these kind of disputes. You would have to contact the attorney general in your state to see if they have a similar group. And lastly maybe you would have to retain an attorney. Good luck. (12/05/2007)
By Dean
I have had a LG front loading washing machine for several years. I leave the door open after the last wash to let the insides dry out. Then I close it the next day. I read that there is a little water left at the bottom of the washing machine that we can not see. I think that it sours if you keep the door closed all the time.
If I notice any buildup of detergent on the rubber by the door, I clean that off with a rag. I am not sure what the buildup is, but it is gunky. I don't have any problem with smelly clothes, and I don't do anything special to the clothes. I just wash them like any other washing machine. I hope this helps. Loretta (12/06/2007)
By LorettaB
Same problem. My husband and I have only had ours for a year and have had a service representative in twice telling us numerous things to do, etc., which after paying the amount of $ we have for the machine, why should we have to do all this extra stuff. We even bought some new towels and wash cloths and now they have the same yucky smell. I think these machines should be replaced. I'm going to call Better Business and report it, maybe we all should. It is a lot of $ spent for a product this defective. (07/16/2008)
By Susan
We have the same problem. In addition, we started seeing flecks of grey sludge on our towels and clothes about a month ago. We purchased our LG front-load washer in 2005 and didn't initially have the odor problem. About a year after we purchased the unit, our whole laundry room began to stink of mold.
After getting no help from LG, I filed a complaint with the BBB. As a result, LG offered to extend our warrant for a "courtesy clean", but the warranty paperwork that they sent me stated that the warranty did not cover cleaning. We are also dealing with the retailer from whom we purchased the washer (American) since we bought a 5-year extended warranty. They sent out a technician who wouldn't even touch the machine, just told us to use Affresh. Another tech was scheduled to come out today, but said that he wouldn't clean the machine either. After American's corporate gave him the go-ahead, he called back and said that he would come out and clean the machine once a new seal that he ordered arrived. Wish us luck. Nobody should have to do so much maintenance on a washer. The manual makes no mention of routine maintenance to prevent mold. (09/02/2008)
By Kerry
We too have the same problem our LG front loader the clothes smelled bad. This is what I found the washer did not added enough water both to wash and to rinse the clothes. I would pull the tray where the soap is poured in and add water by hand and it worked much better. I have my LG under contract and called the repair man I showed him the issue and after looking at it he agreed. The washer does not put enough water to activate the He detergent so the clothes and the drum would not be washed same for the rinse cycle. They ordered a new water level switch and main controller board. I hopes this helps. (02/08/2009)
By Todd
these machines are horrible..just had leak all over basement floor.my machine not even year old..doesnt drain all the time either.i use only HE detg..an clean seal all time an empty water at least evry 2 wks from drain on bottom..LG is not help they just make up a lot of crap..Bought these machine because consumers affairs scored them top..
There's an easy to clean filter behind a little door on lower left of front.. just drop door , twist ccw and pull out...this catches course material that can block flow to drain pump and cause water on the floor floor...also keep the inner groove of the door seal clean especially at bottom...also easy to wipe out and inspect for junk blocking the bottom drain grooves..
