Maytag MVWB300WQ0 Washing Machine FULL of Mildew!

[clattin]

Hey all,

We noticed a strong mildew odor coming from the washing machine recently.  Its in our basement and discharges into the laundry tub (with a mesh lint bag over the end of the discharge hose).  The machine appears to function just fine....no weird sounds, no error codes, clothes seem to come out clean and smelling fresh and seem appropriately just damp at the end of the cycle.

What would cause all this mildew?  I pulled the drum off the driveshaft yesterday to get it all cleaned up and there's water inside the drum that I can hear sloshing around.  I don't know a lot about washers but that doesn't seem right and I don't see any way for the water to drain or how it got in there.

Would love any suggestions you guys have!

Thank you!

Chris

[Budget Appliance Repair]

The sloshing you are hearing is the fluid in the balance ring of the spin basket - DO NOT TRY TO REMOVE IT!!

[THRAMICH]

A power drill and 3/16" drill bit will remove the fluid...but I don't recommend it. Have you tried Clorox bleach on the mildew?

[clattin]

Cleaning up the mildew isn't a problem, I just don't understand what would have caused it.  Before I put it all back together I thought I'd see if you guys thought maybe there was something wrong with the washer that I should repair.

[THRAMICH]

I see mildew buildup like that quite often. I recommend Affresh washing machine cleaner as a regular preventative, that does seem to help.

[16345Ed]

14 hours ago, clattin said:

Cleaning up the mildew isn't a problem, I just don't understand what would have caused it.  Before I put it all back together I thought I'd see if you guys thought maybe there was something wrong with the washer that I should repair.

I rarely take apart a washer that DOES NOT look like this. It’s soap scum. 

[DADoESTX]

The ones I've cleaned up, the residue doesn't generate suds when washing it off so doesn't seem to be soap or detergent.  More like accumulated greasy laundry soils that didn't flush away.  Cold water washing is evil.  My mother's KM direct-drive had brown smutz like that on exterior of the basket.  She washes in cold water.  Tap cold, not even ATC cold.  Uses liquid detergents such as Arm & Hammer or Tide Pure Clean, and not enough of it per how the water doesn't feel slippery the times I catch a load running there.  I advised her to step-up her game.  My own washer didn't have any smutz last time I checked it.  I never use cold water and always enough detergent for slippery water and some visible suds, alternate between liquid and powder.

[evaappliance]

to many plastic parts that holds water and is the perfect environment for mold to grow, in the good ol' days with metal outer tubs this did not happen near as bad .