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[ROMARY]

Could it be the type of drum (or whatever it's called)?  

Years ago, plastic drums were popular, and I recall reading about a 'fishy' smell in many of them.  Something about the mold attaching to the back/underside of the drum.  Please don't quote me, because it's only what I faintly recall.  From years ago.  Maybe ten or more or less.

At the time, it was suggested to buy stainless steel or enamel drums.  

[drizzellla]

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@ROMARY wrote:

Could it be the type of drum (or whatever it's called)?  

Years ago, plastic drums were popular, and I recall reading about a 'fishy' smell in many of them.  Something about the mold attaching to the back/underside of the drum.  Please don't quote me, because it's only what I faintly recall.  From years ago.  Maybe ten or more or less.

At the time, it was suggested to buy stainless steel or enamel drums.  

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Interesting point. I know the laundromats and Walt Disney World washers are stainless steel. I never knew there were washers made with plastic tubs.

[Mom2Dogs]

I use vinegar in the rinse with every single load...I do not notice a smell in my machine, but when this one dies...I will not repurchase a front loader.

[ROMARY]

'Do some washers have plastic drums?'.....

This is what I just Googled.  

I guess they are common, although I just glanced at the list of various sites.

[NanaFrost]

I do the same and never have had a bad smell in mine and they're 6 years old now.  My daughter-in-law has same model as mine and had a problem.  She leaves the door open and dries the gasket, but wasn't pulling the soap drawer out.  She asked me for help and I went over with my steamer in hand.  We pulled the soap drawer all the way out and there was mold and mildew all over the under side and back.  Steam it all good and she started leaving it open too and no more problems.

[Sooner]

We have had a front loader for five years and I love it.  We leave the door open and no smells at all.

It is so much easier than digging around in a top loader to get the clothes out.  It doesn't get unbalanced and doesn't twist cloths up into a rope.  I would no way go back to a top loader. 

[AngelPuppy1]

I always keep the door of my front loader open.  After I'm done washing, I dry the rubber gasket out.  Water collects in there and it gets a musty smell in it if you don't.  I buy one of those machine cleaner products and run it through there occasionally.  I like my front loader and don't think it's a big deal though.  

[wifey2qt]

I have a frontloading machine, and can't wait to replace it! It is a Samsung & I've had it about 7 years.

You do need to leave the door open when not in use for it to "air out". You will get a smell if you do not keep the rubber around the door clean..I mean get in under it and make sure to clean it often! I do have the self cleaning option which is a must - ideally monthly. 

My next machine will be a top loader for sure!

[cotton4me]

I have an Electrolux front loading machine.  When I first moved here there was a smell.  Based on that, I keep the door and detergent drawer open and dry what I can after each wash and haven’t had any more problems.  

[Bhvbum]

I actually have both right now a front loader and a top loader. They really each have their benefits, but the front loader I have never had an odor. I read years ago this was an issue when they first came out for residential use and they discovered that people close the door after the machine was used and that was what was causing the smell.  Apparently there was a class action suit because there were so many early on unhappy customers.

Nothing gets the water out of clothes better than a front loader so I used that for my towels and heavy items. It is worthless if you have one heavy item to wash because you simply cannot re-distribute your load. It also gets out of balance a whole lot more often than my toploader.  Also once it starts you only have a limited time to open the door to add something.

For the top load it is so much more flexible if you simply want to wash some thing like a wool sweater for a couple of agitations and then drain it.  You can change each wash and rinse action manually. Not so with the front loader, you're stuck for the whole cycle.  Actually it is my top loader that has a smell even though I leave the top up.