Homeowner says LG washer left clothes musty, then learns the 10-minute fix nobody mentions

A homeowner thought something was seriously wrong when an LG front-loading washer made every load smell musty.

But the answer that emerged showed the machine was not broken. Instead, it needed just a small maintenance step many front-loader owners are never told about.

Here's what to know

Writing on Reddit's r/FixIt thread, the Redditor said the odor kept showing up after several attempted fixes, including switching detergent, cleaning the machine, avoiding fabric softener, and even trying vinegar followed by extra rinses.

"Aside from the smell on the clothes, nothing appears to be wrong with the machine," they wrote, adding, "Anyone have any thoughts?"

Commenters said the culprit could be buildup in parts of the washer that stay damp or out of sight.

One user suggested that the reserve drain filter might be the cause of the persistent odor.

Others focused on mildew-prone areas such as the rubber door seal and detergent drawer. "Leave the door open when you aren't using the washer," someone said. "I do my monthly maintenance and leave the door open, and that smell went away."

One commenter raised another possibility: the detergent itself.

"Turns out the laundry detergent I was using didn't have any enzymes. Switched to an enzyme-based detergent and had no issues," they wrote.

More background

People often respond to this issue by rewashing loads, using more detergent, or buying specialty cleaners they may not need. That means more water, electricity, and money down the drain.

Front-loaders are especially water-efficient, but that same design can trap moisture in various areas. If soap residue builds up too, odors can linger even when the drum itself is clean.

Another user noted that high-efficiency washers can smell when too much soap is used because residue may linger long enough for bacteria to grow even before you can see any buildup.

Someone else said the spot to inspect is the cleanout access behind the kick plate since debris can get trapped there.

What can be done?

Dry out your washer by leaving the door open, scrub the gasket, take out and clean the detergent drawer, and clear the drain filter.

Several commenters also advised using a washer's self-clean setting once a hands-on cleaning is finished.

For households using gentle detergents because of skin issues such as eczema, it may also be worth checking whether the formula contains enzymes.

Vinegar can help with wipe-downs, and so can citric acid. On the plus side, they're both natural cleaning products with a multitude of uses.

Where can I learn more?

These articles cover filter cleaning, mildew removal, and low-cost odor fixes.

• A home maintenance expert said cleaning a washer filter can prevent odors and extend machine life.

• One grandmother swore a low-cost mildew fix made her washing machine smell better again.

• Another homeowner found fabric softener buildup can be hard to clean.

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