Sweet Smell in the Drum of Speed Queen Washer

January 28, 2015, by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from Jane

I had my new Speed Queen top loader washer delivered today and the smell from the drum is making me very ill.

I was told to wash 4 tubs of clothing and the smell would dissipate or get less nauseating  It hasn't and right now I'm rinsing the tub with white vinegar, letting it dry and rinsing it again, letting it dry, etc., etc.

I have severe MCS and was worried about getting a new washing machine. I was told that a Speed Queen would smell for a few days and then the off-gassing from whatever is in or coating the drum would go away. Not so it just seems to be getting stronger and stronger.

Do you have any ideas as to how I clean the drum to get rid of the smell? It was suppose to go away as soon as I cleaned the drum and removed the finishing wax. Not so. It just seems to keep right on smelling.

Would Zeolite help. I would put Zeolite in the drum and let it set for a few days. Them remove the Zeolite and rinse, rinse, and rinse again with a strong bleach and vinegar solution.

Any help would be most appreciated.

Debra's Answer

Here are a couple of things you might try.

1. contact odorklenz.com about this and see what they recommend

2. email daliya@nontoxic.com for 2 solutions. One is called Mystical .Soak a few heavy towels in it wipe inside then leave the towels in for a day or so then wash. You can repeat. Should help a lot . Activated carbon cloth can be run thru machine a few times and that also helps a lot .

3. There is a product you get at the supermarket called washing machine cleaner. www.clorox.com

It's strong chlorine bleach, but the cholorine dissipates and this worked for me to get an odor out of my new washer.

Debra :-)