Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - Washer smell like mold and is musty

I have a Whirlpool top loader that smells musty and moldy. I have run 2 gallons of bleach 2 cups of dishwasher soap thru the machine with hot water on full tub, letting it set for 15 minutes while doing this. I have wiped down everything inside without disassembly that i can. It stills smells ...what do I do next?? .........thanks george

Hi George, more than likely what you are smelling is the odor from your waste pipe. How is the water leaving your machine? Are you emptying it into a deep sink or a vent stack drain pipe setup.

What usually happens is when the water is rushing through the trap pipe "the U or elbow" in the drain. The water moving so fast allows air to come back up past the trap.

The smell goes away but you smell it again as the washer emptys. The best set up is a stack pipe, about 2" in dia. and it should be 36" or higher from the floor to where you insert the washing machine hose.

xxxxxxx

That checks out ok "Duke of" there is water in th "P" trap and at the correct height. We leave the top open after we run the clothes and even doing that you can smell a musty smell in the washer the next day.

Clockmaker, I have just joined this forum and find that I have exactly the same problem. I have checked the drain tube and it is just right. the interesting thing is that my odor problem is from a newer( 1.5 years old) GE front loader. We leave the door open after the wash cycle and the entire room smells musty.
I think we both need help
Bob
NOEMAILSALLOWEDINFORUMS@comcast.net

Leave washer lid open after using to allow it to dry out. A closed lid will not allow air to circulate and dry out remaining moisture in tub. Air and moisture in washer become stagnant and smell. Fill washer with hot water and add 3/4 cup of water softening additive (found in laundry aisle) or baking soda. Run washer on longest cycle. Repeat if odor remains. Keep lid open. Some recommend using a couple cups of white vinegar to dissolve soap scum and minerals.

I ran a gallon of bleach and a full tub of hot water, the problem has gone away. I do leave the top open and do not put clothes in it until I'm ready to run a load of clothes. It seems to be doing good with little or no oder. thx gk