How to Fix Front Load Washer Problems

Front load washers have a low water level and this can prevent washing residue and washing detergent from completely draining out of the machine after a load is done. Residue can build up in the rubber door gasket, the soap dispenser, and other parts of the washer and, over time, can begin to form mold and emit smelly odors. To fix and prevent mold, mildew, and smells in your front load washer, try the following tips:

Always leave the door and dispenser unit open after the laundry is done. Never leave wet clothes in the washer overnight. Occasionally wash some loads in warm or hot water to help flush out wash residue. High efficiency washers have a cleaning cycle; periodically run this cycle as directed. Check the gasket just inside the door opening and remove any visible debris

Excessive vibration and noise is one of the common complaints about front load washers. The vibrations occur due to the high revolutions per minute (rpm) of front load washers. If you're experiencing vibration noises from your front load washer problems, try one of these suggestions:

Don't put it on the second floor. Remove the shipping bolts. Purchase anti-vibration pads. Make a plywood base for it. Level the washer.

Smaller items like coins or buttons can become lodged in your front load washer's front rubber gasket or in its pump. When this happens, it can be difficult to find and remove them. Lodged items that are not removed over a long period of time can also begin to grow mold and emit odor. To solve this problem:

Check the rubber gasket and remove debris. Hire a professional to clear the pump. Use a laundry mesh or wash bag; they are re-usable and close with a zipper.

Front loaders require a special detergent called "high efficiency" or "he" detergent. High efficiency detergent is a low suds detergent. Tide, Gain, and many others produce a HE detergent. Do not be tempted to use regular detergent because it will produce too much suds. Front loaders work by picking up the clothes and then dropping then into the water and excess suds will actually stop the clothes from reaching the water. Excess suds in a front load washer lay on top of the water, creating a barrier between the water and the clothing. If the clothes rarely touch the water, a poor wash will result. To prevent high efficiency detergent problems:

High efficiency detergents can readily be found where regular laundry soap is sold. There is no difference in price for this particular type of detergent. There is no reduction in loads per container. Regular detergents cause delays and make proper rinsing of clothes difficult.

A cold rinse is fine, but for the wash temperature, warmer is better. If the water temperature entering the machine is too cold the detergent will not dissolve. This can cause a buildup of detergent inside the working surfaces of the machine.

Ensure you are washing with warm or hot water. If you must wash with cold water, do it sparingly.

Sometimes your front load washer fills slowly or doesn't fill well at all. Here's how to fix that problem:

Check to see if the water hose if bent or kinked. Check the hoses to see if sediment has accumulated-undo them at either end. Check the filter screens-clean them with a squirt. Check for loose or broken wires that are connected to the water valve.