I just got a front loader from a friend, but they obviously used a lot of heavy fragrance detergents and probably used more in each wash than necessary. Anyway, after getting rid of the mildew smell, I still cannot rid this machine of the heavy fragrance. I have used, vinegar, vinegar w/baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, hydrogen peroxide w/baking soda, and lemon juice all in as hot a load as this machine will run and still - the heavy fragrance persists. (I've run a total of 8 empty cycles up to this point). I manually cleaned the soap dispenser and the door seal so that they are spotless. I think that there is actually a buildup of detergent stuck to the outer tub which of course I cannot get to. What can I use to rid this machine of the fragrance? (Also this machine does not have a filter so there isn't one to change or clean.)
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I use Affresh tablets for the top loader and it works great.
I was told that just running bleach through a wash cycle would work also.
Have you tried leaving the door open for a day or two to allow it to dry out? When I'm done for the day with the washing machine, I always leave the door cracked just so the machine can air dry all night long.
Sometimes if too much soap has been used in the washes, the soap residue will cause a build up which retains odors too.
If your machine has this odor then most likely anything you wash will also have this "smell". This odor problem is the most widely reason so many people dislike their HE washers.
Here is a site that kinda explains why a front load washer "smells".
Nok-Out is a highly rated product that removes all kinds of unwanted odors. You can get it on Amazon.
How funny, I said "top loader" in my previous post, in that I use Affresh tablets to keep it clean and odor free.
hahahah I don't have a "top" loader, I have a front loader too.
I've had the *front loader* for a while now, and what they - (appliance dept) told us was also never to use too much soap in the front loader or the dishwasher, which we may tend to do, as that will cause a build up in the machines that retains odors.
We use Tide Washing Machine Cleaner. Smell is horrible but worked for us.
www.walmart.com/
I did not know they made this! Sure hope it will work..
Thanks for this suggestion - I will pass it along to my son.
WOW - you all rock! I want to thank every one of you for your suggestions.
I am becoming less convinced that this can be fixed. My reason is because even though I thoroughly cleaned the removable detergent drawer and the pocket it fits into and ran pressurized water from my garden hose through it to remove what I could not reach...the little drawer itself stinks with that dumb fragrance! I have poured nearly boiling water over it, soaked it in hydrogen peroxide and baking soda over night and STILL, it smells like that detergent! I have no idea what chemicals that detergent company uses for their fragrance but it MUST have actually etched and made slightly porous the plastic and has chemically bonded to it.
I have run nearly 20 loads now with every combination I was able to think of to rid myself of this fragrance out of the drum area and it still persists.
One thing I have not tried is running it with NOTHING in it to see if it suds all by itself. Seems to me that might confirm if there is still some type of buildup on the surface of the inner drum.
I have not attempted some of the things you all have mentioned so I will get on that today and will post back my success or lack thereof.
Again, you all have my profound gratitude for the time you've taken here and for anything else that may occur to you!
How about getting a repair person to replace the detergent cup and liner. They may also be able to directly clean the outer wash drum while servicing the machine. Won't be free but might actually work.
Any chance this is an Electrolux? We just bought a new front load set and it smells perfumery. We are a no scent house and were not expecting this. Came here looking for a solution.
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