Hey Jamie. My washer actually has a 'clean washing machine' setting - I do that+put white vinegar into the soap dispensar. Yours may not, so I think running a short cycle with the vinegar will work. It'll smell like vinegar for about .5 seconds+then it'll be fresh. I do this about once every 2 months.

Dump 1/2 gallon undiluted white vinegar, pickling strength (5%) inside, put some washing soda in the detergent dispenser (as much as will fit). Run thru hot wash cycle.

Afterwards take a sponge soaked in vinegar and rub/clean the rubber gaskets in the front and the glass window.

Do this at least once a month.

It will smell like vinegar for about ten minutes or so but then the odor will fade.

I'd run a cup of vinegar through on the hottest cycle.

If you feel like your washer needs to be cleaned, you might be using too much soap or closing your washer door between cycles?

Most people use enough soap that it remains in their clothing and if they ran it through the washer, it would suds without any additional soap!

see: http://blog.warnersstellian.com/2010/12/27/dont-add-soap-to-your-washer-because-theres-enough-in-your-clothes/

I have a Whirlpool HE front-loader and grew up with a front-loader and here's what I've learned:

1. Always leave the door open when it's not in use. I do this with my HE front loader and I only get a funky smell if I leave clothes inside for too long (which happens more than I care to admit). Leaving the door open lets it dry out all the way inside and prevents the warm, moist, closed environment that molds and mildews like.

2. Use way less soap. I always use the least amount suggested on my bottle of HE-specific detergent (sometimes less). HE washers are designed to run more efficiently and use less water, so they need less soap. Using too much soap leaves a soap residue inside the washer even after rinsing, and the soap residue can cause mildew.

3. I second (third?) the vinegar idea. Run your washer on hot with an extra rinse (this is the "whitest whites" setting on my washer) and put distilled white vinegar in the soap or fabric softener compartments. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and the smell will definitely go away if you let it dry out inside.

I also second cleaning the rubber gaskets. I always check them after every wash to make sure there's not hair or lint or other stuff that got left in pants pockets stuck in there.

So yeah, no need to buy the expensive chemical cleaners. Good luck!

I make my laundry soap with washing soda, vinegar and grated ivory soap. I also use vinegar in the rinse cycle. My machine never needs to be cleaned, my clothes come out great, never smelly, and I'm not using chemicals. Also, the vinegar helps to keep the pipes clean. What a win/win!

I also have a Whirlpool HE front loader. I've had it for about a year and I've never cleaned it. It doesn't smell and I think it is because I always leave it open when not in use. (I also use a lot of baking soda when I wash clothes so maybe that's part of it too.)

Hey everyone. I'm the one who asked the question. Yes my problem is mainly due to closing the door and not letting it air-dry inside. I have a cat and a preschooler.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Looks like I'll be buying lots of vinegar!

PS - I doubt that I'm using too much soap. I'm kindof insane about using as little as possible (to stretch the bottle of detergent as long as possible). I probably use too little!

Leaving the door open, even slightly, is key. What about using a childproof (catproof) door lock or similar item that will keep it ajar and keep everyone safe? I actually leave the door of my machine only slightly open and this is enough to keep it dry and mold free. I do a vinegar run only once a year, but then I do not use fabric softener in the rinse cycle.

Does your machine have a trap at the front? Some just have a pull out drawer near the bottom of the machine. If this is the case you can pull it out (put a rag on the floor as some water will likely spill out) and clean the trap. It may be kinda gross. My machine doesn't have a simple trap, it has a panel that needs to be removed by unscrewing the screws on the sides of the panel. I would have never known about this if my aunt hadn't gotten her washing machine repaired and the repair person showed her.

I know this is a year old, but I had the same problem, so I purchased two Safety 1st ProGrade™ Front Load Washer-Dryer Locks. In the locked position, they go over the door to prevent little ones from opening the door. The really great thing is that when you leave the door open and put them in the locked position, they create a barrier between the door and the opening, so you can leave your HE washer door open without fear since the door cannot close with the lock in place.

Safety 1st ProGrade™ Front Load Washer-Dryer Locks

http://www.safety1st.com/usa/eng/Products/Home-Safety/ProGrade-Home-Safety/Details/2005-48467-ProGrade-Front-Load-Washer-Dryer-Lock