Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach out to me if you cannot find an answer to your question, or if you find errors in my spelling, punctuation, etc. I'm just an appliance guy, my sister is the one with the master's degree in English.
SOMEONE (you or the previous owner\tenant) CAUSED THIS! This is a problem caused by a failure to use the clean cycle on all new High Efficiency washers. READ YOUR WASHER'S MANUAL!
It is typically recommended to clean your washing machine at least once per month or every 30 cycles FROM THE TIME YOU BOUGHT IT. This is NOT optional. SOME people can get away with not using the washers clean cycle because they use chlorine bleach weekly in their whites, effectively "sanitizing" the washer weekly.
By the time you see black and brown stains on you gasket, and odors from your washer and clothes, the clean cycle has been disregarded for a year, and most of the time 2-3 years! The mold and mildew stains you SEE are only a FRACTION of what is in that washer. Cleaning that gasket isn't going to fix your problem. AT ALL!
By this point a SINGLE clean cycle with a cleaning tablet isn't going to help you. Neither will your neighbor's chemical concoction she found on some Facebook page, YouTube, or Instagram. THIS CAN BE FIXED VERY CHEAPLY, BUT NOT IN ONE CLEANING CYCLE!
To fix this problem, run the cleaning cycle (with chlorine bleach) TWICE A DAY for at LEAST the next two weeks or until stain disappear. You should leave the door open at least partially between all cycles from this point on! NO JOKE. The odors and stains WILL go away in time. Replacing the gasket will do NOTHING to correct this issue, and replacing the washer just guarantees that you'll be repeating all of this again in 2-3 years if the cleaning cycle isn't used. Do you let your car go 2-3 years without oil changes? No! Using the cleaning cycle costs you a few cents of chlorine bleach and the time it takes to press a couple of buttons.
As stated, replacing the gasket will do absolutely NO GOOD, but it will make for a $300-$400 repair bill! I'm happy to do it for you! And I'll be happy to do it every 3-6 months because that's how fast it will reoccur now that you have an entire biological system living in your washer.
The odors and stains CAN BE FIXED. It's just going to take time and determination.
This is a common problem when the wrong detergent or too much of the right detergent is used and thereby causing suds. Suds are NOT your friend in a High Efficiency washer OR a dishwasher (See Dishwasher FAQ). Suds suspend dirt that is then retained into the spin cycle. Washers can't pump suds out. So the suds AND the suspended dirt stay in the washer and just get deposit right back onto the clothes. You should be able to see your clothes during the wash cycle. If all you see is white suds through the glass, you're using too much detergent. Save your money, and use far less. The lines on the detergent cup are not reliable indicators of how much to use. However, they work well to encourage you to use that 128 oz jug of detergent much faster than needed.
Old non HE machines filled with roughly 22 gallons of water during a wash cycle. Tha means the 1\4 - 1\2 cup of detergent you used was very diluted in the water. Your new machine uses less than half of that amount. This fact combined with the knowledge that HE detergent is at least twice as concentrated as previous detergents results in far less detergent being needed, usually a couple of tablespoons to a normal load. Same thing goes for fabric softener and bleaching agents. USE LESS. The "Maximum (Max)" fill line in the dispenser is NOT and indicator of how much detergent to use. It's to prevent these liquids from self dispensing at the wrong times due to syphoning.
So, 1-2 tablespoons of detergent unless the load of laundry is excessively soiled.
Excessive use of detergent and fabric softener also exacerbates odors! Remember, use that clean cycle.
This is one of the most common complaints. If your dryer is heating and tumbling, but clothes are still damp and require an additional cycle(s), the issue is likely NOT the dryer. The most common causes for long dry time in a functioning dryer are clogged or restricted dryer ducts, clogged lint filters, or even a malfunctioning washer spin cycle. If your dryer is heating and turning, but still taking extra cycles to dry a load of clothes, call a Professional Dryer Duct Cleaning Service.
Noises are, generally, inexpensive repairs. Drum rollers (thumping), Idler pulleys (squeaking and squeaking), or items stuck between the felt seals and bulkheads (grinding or scraping) are typically easily fixed.
Make sure you read your manual and choose the appropriate cycle for each load. Most of us have a habit of using only two cycles for all of our loads. Your washer and dryer have cycles for different laundry types including Bedding, Towels, Heavy duty, and Delicates among others. These cycles are programmed to handle different types of fabrics and clothes differently. Delicate items on a Normal cycle could tear due to excessive pressure and friction caused by a 1200 rpm spin speed designed for heavier fabrics like denim and towels. Normal items on a delicate or casual cycle will only spin at lower rpm causing inadequate water extraction and longer dry times.