Front Load Washer

I have had a couple of front loader machines and have never ever had any sort of smell or issue. Really I just don't get what others are talking about.

I use normal Gain powder laundry soap, I use regular bleach or Clorox 2 in every load, and I use green lid Downy in every load except towels.

I use warm water and a normal cycle. I don't know what the deal is but my Samsung has never had any sort of odor.

Love my LG! But one tip I got after I bought it is to keep the door open between use so it doesn't smell musty!

I have a Samsung front load set with the steam option and love them. I no longer take clothes to the dry cleaners for the most part which is a huge savings. My husband isn't all that thrilled with his contribution - I bought him a pants press and volunteered him for laundry assistance - but we both enjoy the savings and lowered hassle, no more stops by the dry cleaners with two babies in tow.

I have had my set nearly five years and can't say enough good things about them. The only times I have odor issues are if the washer door gets closed. I leave the door open to dry completely between loads. No big deal and no fancy cleaning. The only wash odors I have ever had is from leaving a wet load in overnight. I rewash and the odors are gone. I love stacking my set which puts my dryer on top. I often stand there folding right out of the dryer. It also saves a ton of space. So much space in fact I was able to add a 60" cabinet with countertop in my laundry room. I typically wash my loads on the quick wash setting which takes between 35 and 40 minutes. I believe my clothes come out sufficiently clean on this setting so it's rare for my wash cycles to take longer.

The dry cycles are short as well because it senses weight. Wet clothes are heavy and the dryer runs until the weight indicates the items are dry. This feature makes it difficult to dry single or light weight items but often for me those items are hang dry/flat dry. The best dryer feature – wrinkle release. O.M.G. Life saver. I can’t count the number of times I have forgotten a dried load of laundry and now instead of having to rewash/iron everything, 20 minutes on wrinkle release and the load is ready to fold and put away. Overall I think not having an agitator in the washer has been gentler on our clothes and thus they hold up longer/better. Also I can put huge loads in which hurries along the process when I need it. Plus it means I can wash pillows, comforters, rugs and other super bulky items. Good luck.

I have a Whirlpool Duet front loader that I just love. Any front loader will have odor issues if it's not properly maintained. Mine did, and then I figured out why.

1. Between washes, leave the door slightly ajar to dry the rubber seal against the door.

2. Do a cleaning wash with hot water and bleach once a month.

3. Clean out the "trap." There's a strainer over the drain that many folks don't know about! We noticed that our washer wasn't draining properly, the clothes STUNK, and I was getting error codes for an unbalanced load and some other error code. We looked up the code and found out that we needed to take off the drain strainer and empty it. It was FULL and blocking the drain, so all that dirty water was staying in the washer instead of rinsing out properly. After cleaning it out, it runs like new. So now I know to clean it out every couple of months. :-) Also, it's wonderful to know that my washer with catch things left in pockets instead of letting them go down the drain. :-)

Have you read reviews?
There are lots of reputable sites where you can read reviews.
Personally, I know a lot of people who have front loaders, and they all hate them. My 14 year old machine is chugging along great, but when it goes, it'll be a top loader HE for me. Not worth the hassle.

I have LG front loader---I leave the dr open when not in use !!! It needs to breathe !

I have to wipe the gunk out of it every month.

I miss my old top loader, but, this HE one saves us bucks !

Have had my Whirlpool FL for over 6 years works great, never had an odor (which my top loader smelled all the time even the clothes came out with a smell), never left the door open. 2 things I do is use less detergent even with a large load you don't need to use max amount, once a month run on hottest setting with a 1/3 cup of bleach( I do this after washing dog blankets and rugs, which I did even with the top loader).
Both of my DL bought top loaders because I loved mine so much(they bought different brands from mine and each other) they follow the same routine I do and neither have had any smell, one DL has a cat that if she left the door open the cat would always be in there.

I was watching one of those either Doctors or Dr Oz shows. There was a guy on there and he said that he found black Mold in his moms front loader machine. The mold grows under the rubber where you close the machine. He said you need to air it out and make sure to clean under that seal. Otherwise your clothes will come out smelling moldy. I heard one person ask if it was a design flaw, but don't remember the answer.

I had a Maytag front loader over 10 years and I wasn't happy with it.

This past June, I got a Samsung FL with the steam options. I LOVE this machine. I also got the pedestals so they sit a little higher and I get more storage. The dryer also has the steam option.

The door on mine does not lock and close unless you close it, therefore, it has airflow. I've heard of the mold and mildew stories so I am proactive with my machine. I do wipe down the door after each use and I leave a towel in the door area to soak up any moisture.

I've had no problems and I love this machine. I will say that the regular wash cycle is about an hour long. I use that when I have something that really needs a deep clean. Most every load I do (about 3 a day) I use the Quick Wash feature which is finished in 30 minutes or less. You can use hot or cold water with this feature.

I use my washer a LOT and I don't use a special cleaner wash through it. I do, however, occasionally run a load of towels with plain vinegar.

It is true that you can't stop the cycle and add more clothes to the washer when you start but that is just a planning issue to me. I make sure I have everything before I start. You can also run a longer wash and soak with my Samsung. My machine is not the top of the line with digital and not the lower end Samsung. I think I paid $2700 for everything. Very worth it!

I got mine at Home Depot and they installed it as well. I donated the Maytag set.

Best wishes to you!

The funky odor is not about brand, it is a risk of the design. To avoid it you have to be sure to leave your washer open to dry out after use, to never leave wet cloths sitting in the washer, and you need to clean it with cleaner every 30 washes. Some people will tell you you can just use bleach, well I tried that and my washer started to smell horrible. I would bleach again and the smell would come right back, so I got some of the actual cleaner and ran it through once a week for a month and the smell have been gone since. I now religiously use the actual cleaner every 30 washes, my washer reminds me when it is time.

I hate my front load washer & am waiting for it to die so I can replace it guilt free with a top load! You cannot add laundry once it has started, I don't think it cleans well & you can't soak clothes. Mine is 7 years old. I haven't had any issues with smell but have heard that's common. Both my sisters hate theirs also. My friend just bought an HE machine that is top load & she loves it. That is what I plan to buy next.....or just an old top load that I am sorry I got rid of. Consider these issues while you are looking into them. Also it takes forever for a load to wash, at least 50 minutes.

I mostly like my front loader, but I recommend you look into the HE top loaders. It is similar to a front loader in operation, but without some of the front loader issues. My dad has a Kenmore HE top loader and he absolutely loves it. It's also very high capacity. I bring my queen sized comforter to his house to wash.

Leaving the door open after using it and cleaning out the door gasket regularly keep any smells away. I don't even do the "cleaning" (with bleach or the special "cleaner") and I don't have odor issues.

Maybe part of that is because I use vinegar as my rinse aid/fabric softener?

At any rate, what you have to understand is that because of their design they are air/water tight (unlike a top loader that the lid just rests loosely). If you close the door after you have used it, the moisture stays trapped inside and it will mildew and smell, just like anything else that is left wet... think wet stinky towels. Ew. But if you leave the door partially open after each load, then it can dry out and you won't have problems. Some moisture can last for awhile in the rubber gasket that seals the door shut, but you can wipe it out periodically to remove it and clean up any "gunk" and you should be good to go.

I've had my Kenmore one (made by whirlpool) for almost 7 years (?) now. The only problems I've had were draining problems--caused by my husband helping with the laundry and refusing to empty/check pockets. The drain filter has gotten clogged up with a myriad of collections (pencils, combs, pocket knives, coins, gum wrappers, etc). But, we went online and looked up how to open up the front panel, remove the drain filter, clean it of debris (ok, money, etc) and once we do that, everything is right in the world of laundry again.
:)

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ETA:
I also have a quick wash cycle option. And even though you generally cannot add items once a load is going, there is a small window of time at the start of the wash (after you hit "start") that a light glows saying "add an item" that you CAN open the door and add items. But I am with the other commenter who said it is really a planning issue. If you collect all the laundry and sort it before you load it (and really, doesn't everybody do this?!) then it is irrelevant.
I've added something here or there on occasion. But it certainly wouldn't have bothered me to leave those rare items out and wash them another time. If the item was that important, I think I would have made sure it was in there to start with, right?

And yes, getting the pedestals is an added expense, but worth the back ache saving that it does.