Odor in Washer

Is it a front loader? They need a bleach cycle every month or so to clean any mildew from the seals.

Front loaders have a catch that needs to be cleaned out every once in a while (my plumber told me!). My Whirlpool Duet has it behind the bottom front panel. You have to unscrew the panel, then you will see this thing with a twist off style stopper. You unscrew it and clean out all the junk that is in there.

Front loaders are also known for getting clothes (little socks and stuff) trapped between the steel drum and the rubber lip. Make sure nothing is trapped in there.

I put mine on soak and made up a strong solution of Borox and water. I let if soak for a couple hours, then run the HOT cycle. That always does the trick for me.

I put bleach on a rag and wipe it down, including all rubber seals (if you have a front loader.

White vinegar works great on smells. I use int in my musty basement a lot.

We have a front loader and I always try to keep the door open when it's not in use. A while ago I heard about this website www.smellywasher.com (I have not personally used the product yet.) I read an article in the newspaper about odors/mold in washing machines. The business was started by a man who used to be a repair man for washing machines.
Also, people don't realize that these types of machines are supposed to use much less detergent than you did previously (also in the article).
Hope this helps!

we put a bowl of vinigar in the washer over night

Is it a front loader?
The manual that came with mine recommended running a "cleaning cycle" (which it tells you exactly what to do) about once a month or so.

I have had it for 3 years and only felt the need to do it about 3 times. The most effective thing I have discovered... is to (like the manual says) LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN after you have finished using it. I NEVER close the door, unless a load is running. They are water (and that means AIR too) tight. So if you don't let it get dry it will mildew and smell.
That said... I did have a problem last week with mine starting not to drain properly. I removed the kick panel and opened up the filter to the drain pump and removed a LOT of stuff that had come out of pockets in the wash (I have an 11 yr old son, lol).... pencils, bottle caps, pocket knife, chains, paperclips, almost $5 in coins!!
The manual never mentions that little filter, though. Now that I know about it... I will probably check in annually.
hth

I just got a coupon for this and bought it(but haven't tried it yet!)
http://www.summitbrands.com/brands/WasherMagic.aspx
It was in with the detergent. I think Tide also makes something similar.

My mom always told me to run a cup of vinegar through one cycle.

my washer gets this way from time to time- I just run a load of whites with bleach (or you could run a load without clothes and bleach) and the smell and whatever icky bacteria causing it is gone! If that doesn't help- you may have something stuck (like under aggivator- we had a baby sock stuck in there once just holding all the gunk).
Hope this helps :)

I use Tide washing machine powder/cleaner once a week. Seems to help a bit :)

Sounds like mildew. Run some white vinegar through the wash, then run and empty load to get all the vinegar out

I have a front loader.....I leave the door open if I knowit will be a few days before I use it again. My odor issue has dissapeared since I started doing that. The airtight seals were holding that little bits of moisture in....yuck.

And like others said...learn where that filter is before you get a leak. We only had ours a few months before it leaked. We learned aobut the filter and pulled out about 100 bobby pins, pony tail binders, other hair clips, a short pencil, coins...and what I read online was the biggest killer....bra underwires!!! LOL....