Appliances

[AdmiralBenson]

Having just purchased an LG W/D (WM2016/DLE2516) set (they're not delivered yet), I was horrified to find a consumer affairs site with literally hundreds of complaints against LG washers and dryers. The single predominant complaint is around mold/mildew buildup, and a resulting smell that ultimately forces people to stop using their washers and throw out their clothes.

This is despite people's (alegedly) following LG's instructions on using HE detergent, leaving the door open after washes, running cleaning cycles with bleach, drying the door seal etc.

Since the washer is 'functioning', these owners have not received any assistance from LG (or the places they purchased the product) as it is not deemed to be a warranty issue.

Now to be fair, there are lengthy lists of complaints about virtually every make of washer - including some fleeting references to odour problems - I think some of this is endemic to front-load washers BUT....the LG issues are so skewed to this incredibly bad odour issue, I'm getting concerned that there is a serious design flaw.

Broken motors and non-functional digital displays can be fixed....design flaws cannot.

Has anyone heard of, or experienced, this issue with their LG washers? Should I return mine and look elsewhere?

[Pearll]

Future shop sells a Product called Affesh.  It is designed to remove the mildew smell.  I have a top load washer ATM and it had a smell..I used the Affesh, smell is gone.  Pick up a package it will work great for you

[stingo]

I bought this exact model at Future Shop about 4 months ago.  Absolutely no problems with mold, mildew odors, and I did read about the same complaints as you.  Just make sure you keep the front door open after useage.  I love this washer...easy to use. 

[AdmiralBenson]

Thanks for the responses.

I'll stick with this set, being careful to leave the door open after usage, and following some of the other recommendations I've read (drying the seal, using only HE detergent, using the Affresh tablets)

[fifa2000]

Hi there,

We have owned 3 different front load machines, a Maytag and 2 GE's.  We have had the same problems, despite following the manufacturers instructions to the letter.  (Removing clothes promptly, leaving door open, using hot water/sanitizing washes, vinegar etc) Within a year, you could see the mould on the gasket.  The smell on our clothes were horrendous, we even had to throw out towels and jeans, which seem to take on the worst of the smells. Our second GE (the first one replaced within a year of purchase because the mould smell was so bad) was, in addition to smelling mouldy, tearing our clothes!  I mean, shredding them!  My sister-in-law has the LG set and has the same problems as well with mould.  I don't think it matters which kind you buy, the design of the units causes water to remain after you finish your wash.   We just bought an old school top load Maytag and it washes just as well and the cycles take less time. (For a lot less money!) For a fraction of a second, we almost considered the LG set that was on sale during Boxing week, but I will never own another front load set, ever!

I know the sets look nice, are Energy efficient and all, but if  you have to wash your clothes more than once to get the mould smell out, that doesn't save money or time!  Good luck, I hope it works out for you!

[Ookpic]

I know this is most likely late however I have the LG Trom series washer and it has the mildew smell as well.  We have also noticed the stinky towel problem but only after the towel has been used a couple of times and left to dry in the bathroom.  I feel this is something that should have been mentioned by the salesperson.  It is obviously a known problem.  When our washer is due for replacement, we will most certainly not even entertain the thought of another front loader.

Pointers 

• Make sure you get a model that has steam wash option.  This WILL kill all the bacteria.
• Leave the door open all the time.  This is a PITA because it can be in the way when left open.  On the other hand, leaving the lid up on a top load is no problem.
• Fill up the bleach dispenser and throw a cup of bleach in the tub once a month and run a HOT cycle with extra rinse (tub clean).
• Don't use fancy "smelly" type detergent.  This only compounds the mildewing problems by covering up the smell.  As soon as it rains or you start to sweat, the mildew smell is released.
• Don't use fabric softener with every load.  Alternate one week with and one week without.  Fabric softener is oil based and can stay in fabric trapping smells.

[nfldsteak]

As an appliance repair technician I can assure you I work on ALOT of different front loading washers and I can assure you that the only thing that will ever go in my house is LG. I own LG now and have never had a problem with any of it. As for the smell, there are so many different things that would cause that it would make youre head spin. A few examples are, leaving you doors closed to your laundry room (no air circulation), wrong soap or too much HE soap, liquid fabric softener is got to be the worst thing I have ever come across......if not WELL diluted, it will leave a layer of scum in between the tubs and behind the tub cover. I've seen myself in the past ten years replace probably 75 or 80 agitators in top loaders because of fabric softener (it will leave a black, PUTRID smelling waxy build up in the machine). Same thing with a front loader....except people still use the same amount of it AND soap that the machine can't get rid of it properly and it builds up...thus causing the smell. There is nothing wrong with any front loader out there, all you have to do is use them properly. Theres nothing worse than somebody whining about their new washer because it stinks and the washer is not at fault.....it's all the garbage that we as users put in them. If you want to do something, write to these softener manufacturers and get them to make a product less toxic......and yes I mean toxic. In the end, I think that you spent your money wisely and would not worry about the machine. Also, try a cup of powdered dishwasher soap in the tub of the washer, close the door, fill the bleach dispenser with bleach and start the washer on a long hot wash. This will break up solids between the tubs (form the softener and soap). Do this every few months and you will never call one of us for a repair.       Hope this helps........Cheers

[stevo909]

"Just make sure you keep the front door open after useage.  I love this washer...easy to use."

This is what we do, everytime we use the washer we just leave it open to air out.  Never had any troubles, its been 3 months

[denisk]

Hi,

Samsung has unique feature called "SilverCare" that it adds silver ions to your wash, reducing 99.9% of odour-causing bacteria, even in cold water. So you get hot water clean with cold water gentleness - and cost saving. It's the perfect choice for colours and delicates.

By Adding Silver Ions to the wash, Samsung washing machines will;

·         Remove 99.99% of odor causing bacteria in COLD water producing the same benefits of a HOT water sanitization cycle.

·         Will leave the washing machine 99.99% free of germs and odor causing bacteria meaning a fresh start for your next load of laundry

·         Will be gentler on clothes for two reasons

o        Front load design has no agitator to grab and pull clothes

o        Because bacteria are effectively removed in our COLD water  cycle  

·        Reduce your energy consumption by 92% because HOT water is necessary

o        Hot water uses a lot of energy

[electroman]

I have found a source of mould/mildew in our 2 year old LG washer WM2487HWM in a place I would never have thought of looking. My wife wanted to clean the bleach/softener tray, and I removed the drawer out of the machine. Well, underneath it was a section that was covered in mould/mildew. The bleach/softener is dispensed by water, and runs down a ramp into the drum. However, there is a flat spot at the front right of the ramp. I suspect that this area stays wet and never drys out resulting in the formation of the mould/mildew. If the engineers had not created the flat spot, there would be no mould problems.

When we cleaned up the mould/mildew with bleach, it smelled pretty bad. Maybe some of the smell issues are occuring because the mould mildew/leaks into the tub and contaminates the drum and most importantly, the clothes being cleaned.