Appliance Repair in 19135 · Mayfair, Tacony & Oxford Circle

Front-load washers seal tightly to save water, which also means they hold moisture after the cycle ends. Put one in a basement that stays humid all summer and the rubber door boot, the detergent drawer and the drain pump filter become good places for mildew and residue to collect. The result is a musty smell on the laundry and black spots in the folds of the boot.

The fixes are mostly habits. Use only HE detergent and less of it than the cap suggests. Leave the door and the detergent drawer open between loads. Wipe the folds of the boot dry. Run the cleaning cycle once a month with hot water. Clean the drain pump filter, usually behind a small door at the bottom front, on a regular schedule. A dehumidifier in the basement helps the washer and everything else down there.

Some odor problems are mechanical. A torn door boot that holds water, a clogged pump filter, or a drain hose that sits too low and lets water siphon back can all cause smells that cleaning alone will not fix. A technician can replace a boot or pump and confirm the drain hose is set up correctly.

Let us know where to park and whether there is a rear driveway. Clear the front of the washer and the area under it, because the pump filter and boot need room to work. Keep a towel and a shallow pan handy; a washer that will not drain has water in it.