We mistakenly purchased a set of whirlpools with our house 8 years ago and have decided we never want a front loading washing machine again!!! You need to empty the "STINKY WATER" way too much and if we do not use "ALL Free and Clear powder" it smells like sewer gas within a few days. Either way, we are done and glad we only paid $300-$400 for this junk. So, we are shopping for "newer" (not not ruling out used if we find a great deal). We would prefer it not to be efficient.

Looking at the TC5 from Speed Queen (5 years parts and home service)
[speedqueen.com]

But, a little sticker shocked so we are looking at Maytag as well.

Maytag MVWC565FW (only has a 1 year warranty and if you add a 5 year the price gets closer to the Speed Queen)
[www.maytag.com]

Whirlpool WTW5005KW (We loved our whirlpool from around 2000 at our first house)
[www.whirlpool.com]?

So, looking for opinions. Might head to Lowes or Home Depot to see if there are any "damaged" or "Floor Models" at a nice discount. Part of me is thinking buying the cheapest top loader we can find and hope we get 5 years out of it.

Any used appliance dealers nearby?

---

“No persons are more frequently wrong, than those who will not admit they are wrong.” -- François de La Rochefoucauld

"Those who cannot accept the past are condemned to revise it." -- Geo. Mathias

Sounds like it just needs to be cleaned

---

Maytag is owned by Whirlpool & at one time Whirlpool made Kenmore for
Sears. Speed Queen seems to have lost favor with reviewers. [www.nytimes.com]

Wirecutter's 2021 The Best Washing Machines [www.nytimes.com]

Only thing I'm certain of, avoid "contractor grade" appliances of any type!

---

39°36'17"N 75°44'43"W

DuckDuckGo
The search engine that doesn't track you.

DemComm Records 2021 Greatest Hits
includes:
Taxman by Joe & Nancy's Rich Ice Cream Band
The Humpty Dance by The Harris-Brown Hookup
Lets Spend The Night Together by The Fang-Swalwell Gang
Díaz-Canel Is A Friend of Ours by The AOC Squad
My Old Kentucky Retirement Home by MitchMcC & The Soggy Boxer Boys
Burning Down The House by Merrick & The Goons
Back In the USSR by Bernie's Red Square Trio

Quote
mattkime
Sounds like it just needs to be cleaned

Yup, just use a little chlorine bleach with every load of towels or sheets.

---

Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Quote
mattkime
Sounds like it just needs to be cleaned

I cleaned it a couple of weeks ago (drained and did two cleaning cycles) and it smells again.

Quote
spacescape

Quote
mattkime
Sounds like it just needs to be cleaned

I cleaned it a couple of weeks ago (drained and did two cleaning cycles) and it smells again.

Use bleach on things that won’t bleed color and you’ll be fine. Or on a load of whites if you generate a load.

---

Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

Told my wife we would clean it again and keep using ALL Free and Clear. I'd rather keep using it until it dies seeing all the new ones are junk.

An alternative to cleaning with bleach is food grade Citric Acid.
Dissolve 2oz in hot water, put in washer on hot cycle, small load.
When it's done, leave door open overnight.
I clean my coffee brewer & carafe using only 1 tablespoon. Also great
for rinsing lettuce & other greens.

30oz airtight jar is $13.49 ($0.45 oz) @ bezosville

(gets even cheaper if you buy in bulk)

---

39°36'17"N 75°44'43"W

DuckDuckGo
The search engine that doesn't track you.

DemComm Records 2021 Greatest Hits
includes:
Taxman by Joe & Nancy's Rich Ice Cream Band
The Humpty Dance by The Harris-Brown Hookup
Lets Spend The Night Together by The Fang-Swalwell Gang
Díaz-Canel Is A Friend of Ours by The AOC Squad
My Old Kentucky Retirement Home by MitchMcC & The Soggy Boxer Boys
Burning Down The House by Merrick & The Goons
Back In the USSR by Bernie's Red Square Trio





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/2021 08:02AM by MrNoBody.

Ok, looks like she is done with this machine... So, if anyone on the forum is in MI that wants it let me know. It's yours.

We had the same issues with a Whirlpool front loader - and parts just falling off.

Never again.

We got a Maytag top loader and a GE dryer. Given the tight fit to the basement, we were limited to a 'flat back' dryer. That was the only model available. But, all is working just fine.

---

--------------

Embarassing myself on the Internet since 1978.

If you haven’t tried thisWith your current machine, it’s worth trying. Do the cleaning thing, and then after every load just leave the washing machine open. Oh and after you do the cleaning thing, be sure to specifically clean off all of the rubbery plastic parts.

We’ve had our machine for nine years now and it has not gotten the stinky at all by following the routine.

Once you are done washing, the door needs to be left open so that all the water can evaporate. Don't keep it open and you have stinky city.

We have a Samsung front-loader that we've had for over 5 years and only once did we have a stinky machine, the door had been closed for a extended period of time. We have a love-hate relationship with the Samsung, I need to finally get a service person out to replace the computer, as the machine will wash a normal load for more than an hour.

When we bought our house, we went out and bought a new washer-dryer set, I now forget what brand, but they were front-loaders as well. Never had a problem with any moldiness or odors. We're fans of front loaders, they are much more energy efficient and do a good job.

---

The arts are not luxuries but assets that give way more than they cost.
--Ronald Tucker on YouTube

A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open.
--Frank Zappa

First, the key to using a front loader is keep the door open. I put a magnetic plastic flashlight on the frame to keep it open.

Second, check your drain approach. If you are getting 'sewer gas' smells your washer drain may actually be through an improperly plumbed drain line... no P trap, no ventilation up top.

And third, periodically running bleach and hot water keeps it fresher.

And fourth, HE washers need very little soap to do a load of wash. I've taken to using about 1/2 the measure in the washer itself, and even less when doing a small load. Detergent residue decomposes over time. Using the 'extra rinse' cycle may be good.

Finally... avoid Samsung as a brand entirely. Their quality control and design integrity and customer support is terrifyingly bad these days. Our Samsung dryer element failed just after the extended warranty ran out. Our Samsung refrigerator has a known issue with the ice maker that they refuse to fix. It seems like they've taken "planned obsolescence" a bit too seriously, not realizing that appliances *should* last 20 years.

everything cbelt said.

fwiw, HD doesnt keep anything "in stock" but Lowes does.

our basic whirlpool front loaders are going on 5 years -- seem fine. Paid $600 for each? I think they are way more now.

---

Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

what others have said.
and try cleaning with a dose of distilled white vinegar.
open door is VERY important.
Our HE Kenmore (by Whirlpool) is 15. Nary an issue since we started leaving the door open post use.
The rubber gaskets will need a good vinegar wipe down about once a year if you leave the door open.
That's the 1st thing you should do right now.
And then do it again. You could do the 2nd wipe with Nature Miracle if you have that.

---

!#$@@$#!

LG top-load SS tub HE (no agitator) has done well for us since 2010.

We have a Samsung front loader for 2 years now. Never had an issue with it (smelly or otherwise) nor do we have to any cleaning or maintenance cycles on it. But then again we always leave the door slightly open and our preference has always been to use detergents free of dyes or perfumes.

Quote
Ombligo
Any used appliance dealers nearby?

This is what I recommend. Older ones are easier/cheaper to repair. They are simple when you think about it. The repairmen know these things back and forth and get them in good shape before they sell them.

There are lots of YouTubes addressing the problems.

I cleaned out the pump for the 10,000 time but this time I dumped tons of hot water though it (dumped in the drum), followed by white vinegar and even let vinegar sit in the pump for awhile then rinsed it a few more times. Doing a cleaning cycle now and might do another later. She does leave the door open when it’s not being used but the seal was pretty nasty and needs more scrubbing. Thinking of dumping some vinegar in the drum and let it sit in the pump for an An hour or so. Trying hard to avoid buying a new washer.

Borax.

Before totally giving up on it, you might try this. It's not fun, but it's doable.

Quote
Dennis S
Borax.

For what? cleaning the seal?

Quote
spacescape

Quote
Dennis S
Borax.

For what? cleaning the seal?

It's got lots of uses. pH buffering, cleaning, killing roaches, Fire retardant,
Anti-fungal and of course, making Flubber!
Borax uses

---

39°36'17"N 75°44'43"W

DuckDuckGo
The search engine that doesn't track you.

DemComm Records 2021 Greatest Hits
includes:
Taxman by Joe & Nancy's Rich Ice Cream Band
The Humpty Dance by The Harris-Brown Hookup
Lets Spend The Night Together by The Fang-Swalwell Gang
Díaz-Canel Is A Friend of Ours by The AOC Squad
My Old Kentucky Retirement Home by MitchMcC & The Soggy Boxer Boys
Burning Down The House by Merrick & The Goons
Back In the USSR by Bernie's Red Square Trio

Quote
spacescape

Quote
Dennis S
Borax.

For what? cleaning the seal?

It’s supposed to be an anti fungal and used in the wash. I would think fungus is possibly on the seal and causing a smell. It’s easy to do. My termite guy painted my joists with it because a white fungus was growing on them.

It also kills fire ants when mixed with sugar.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/12/2021 09:28PM by Dennis S.

Something must be defective in the machine or in the plumbing — hope you can discover what it is.

I've also been a fan of front-loaders for years, and have never had the smell issue. I use powdered detergent (very much dislike the liquid stuff) but am in the minority, judging by what's on store shelves. Good luck with the new unit you're probably going to buy!

FWIW: I had a top loader with a smell issue. I think it depends on how much detergent you use, how often you use it, how you clean it, etc. I was able to keep it under control by cleaning it more often and adding bleach to the towel cycle. and that was a NEW LG unit I bought at the old house, the smell issue occurred in about a year or so. And we always kept it open.

the current house has a 10 year old LG front loader and despite having a lot of crap on the gasket, it does not have too much smell issue. door is always open unless it is running, and I try to clean and wipe the gasket. I think it is installed improperly since water accumulates at the bottom of the gasket, I suspect it is not horizontal. One of these days I may try to add some shims under the front feet to tilt it backwards.

Another tip I didn't see mentioned for front loaders...
Lube the door gasket.

1. Clean & completely dry the gasket
2. Apply a coating of Super Lube Synthetic Grease (wear gloves)
3. Allow a couple of hours then take a clean rag & wipe down the gasket
4. Allow the gasket to 'cure' for 24 hours w/ the door open

Also works great for vehicle door, trunk, & hood gaskets.
(It's like Tabasco, you'll use this $H!t on everything!)

3oz tube (food grade) $5 @ Homies.

---

39°36'17"N 75°44'43"W

DuckDuckGo
The search engine that doesn't track you.

DemComm Records 2021 Greatest Hits
includes:
Taxman by Joe & Nancy's Rich Ice Cream Band
The Humpty Dance by The Harris-Brown Hookup
Lets Spend The Night Together by The Fang-Swalwell Gang
Díaz-Canel Is A Friend of Ours by The AOC Squad
My Old Kentucky Retirement Home by MitchMcC & The Soggy Boxer Boys
Burning Down The House by Merrick & The Goons
Back In the USSR by Bernie's Red Square Trio





Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/13/2021 01:32PM by MrNoBody.

what does this do? is it just to repel the water?

It keeps seals & gaskets pliable and is water repellent. I've also used it
on water pumps for aquatic systems and on valves. Great as an o-ring lube too!

---

39°36'17"N 75°44'43"W

DuckDuckGo
The search engine that doesn't track you.

DemComm Records 2021 Greatest Hits
includes:
Taxman by Joe & Nancy's Rich Ice Cream Band
The Humpty Dance by The Harris-Brown Hookup
Lets Spend The Night Together by The Fang-Swalwell Gang
Díaz-Canel Is A Friend of Ours by The AOC Squad
My Old Kentucky Retirement Home by MitchMcC & The Soggy Boxer Boys
Burning Down The House by Merrick & The Goons
Back In the USSR by Bernie's Red Square Trio

Ok... so far it's working good again and no smell. Fingers crossed it stays that way. We have our "all free and clear" powder again (hard to get as of late)... gasket has some black spots on it so I'll try borox to clean it good...