I am desperate! I left some wet towels in the washing machine, and cannot get the odor of mildew out(ugh). I have tried bleach and vinegar. I appreciate any solutions that can be offered.
Baking soda. If it's a large load you can use a 1/2 cup to 1 cup of regular baking soda. I buy it bulk at BJ's where the sugar and baking stuff is.
I put it in all of my laundry to help with stains and odors. It's a whole lot less toxic than bleach and some of the other things they have for laundry.
Otherwise, new towels.
This happens to me all the time. Now i've had to learn to set my digital kitchen timer and clip it to my shirt so that it goes off in an hour and I remember to put the load in the dryer.
Run again with Hot water and bleach. Hot water is the trick.
the lysol floor cleaner works....
1 cup of lemon & very hot water....
you want to use THE WORKS and hand waswh the sides prior to running your washer. just without anything in there.
www.smellywasher.com
we had same problem. Bought this product, used it once but skimped a little on the recommended times/washes. Bought it again and followed the instructions to the letter (cost around $25?) It worked. Now we leave the door open when it is empty. Also, advice for all, if you have HE washer DO NOT use the recommended amount of HE detergent. Only about 2 Tbls is enough to clean regular laundry, especially if you pretreat stains. Same for softener. All the message boards I hit before buying smellywash product also recommend adding vinagar to rinse cycle occasionally to keep soap residue from returning. Good Luck.
I agree with the baking soda... It is cheap too.
L.,
Do you keep the lid open. I also have the same problem but only when I keep the lid closed. My husband likes to close the lid and I keep telling him that when you keep the lid closed it starts to stink. Florida living sure is alot of work!! Bleach has been able to take of the problem for me. Hope you find a solution and if any one comes up with a great solution will you let me know what it is!
Thanks,
L. Jacobs
When I get mildew on my clothes (because we all get busy
and forget!!) I wash the load again but in addition to using your regular soap and liquid softener, add a scoop or two of Oxyclean - can be the generic versions. That seems to help my problem :)
Best of luck,
Jen
L.-- have you tried the Tide detergent with Febreze in it, and maybe some Downy fabric softener? (My favorite one is Mountain Spring). It might work-- worth a try? I've also heard good things about OxiClean for stain removal, but not sure about the odor thing. (I've only used OxiClean Baby to get out baby food stains, but my cousin uses regular OxiClean in every washload as a booster and swears by it.) Good luck!
~B.
Run a pure hot load of towels or rags (something you may no longer want), turn off the cold water at the wall. Use a lot of bleach and laundry soap or lemon scented dishwasher soap. If all else fails, I know it sounds crazy, but try running the washer (hot) with 2 packets of Lemon Koolaid. I don't know how but it works and leaves it smelling "lemon fresh". Works for the dishwasher, too!
Check out this site: www.smellywasher.com
I've heard something about this, it might work!
Wash with cold water only using a full cup of detergent and then some. Make sure your water level is on high. Also, try cutting the load in half.
You're not alone. It happens to me all the time. I HATE my washing machine! But what do I want for $50 buck right?!
.. um.. clean clothes would be nice.. lol!
J.
Baking Soda will do get the odor out.
