Washing machine odor. What to do? (dishwasher, drains, mold, disposal)

[saltine]

I leave the lid up after use, eventually it puts off an odor. Thought of using vinegar. Any ideas?? thanks.

[crazyma]

Yep, try the vinegar. Get a big ole jug of white pour it in and fill the machine with hot water/cool rinse and let'er rip. Couldn't hurt.
I even do it to my dishwasher now and then. And pour it in the disposal.

Or you could try bleach, just rinse well, or wash a load of white socks,etc. after runnign the bleach thru a cycle.

Good luck!

[golfgal]

I do this every once in a while, fill the washer with hot water and a 1/2 a jug of bleach, run it through the wash cycle (no clothes) and stop it before it drains. Let it sit for a couple hours then finish through the cycles. That takes care of any problems you will have. If you use bleach regularly after that, for whites, it should keep the problem under control. The odor comes from mold and the bleach kills the mold.