Thread Number: 19869
Maytag Neptune Adaptive Fill
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Post# 318422   12/6/2008 at 09:47 (5,591 days old) by joeinfl (Wesley Chapel FL)        

Hi Everyone. I have a Maytag Neptune Model MAH55FLBWQ purchased in Sep 2005. I've never had any trouble with it, but I don't think it uses enough water for a good thorough cleaning. Towels sometimes have a musty smell which you don't notice until you are drying off with them and they get damp. They smell fine coming out of the dryer. I know that the Neptune uses adaptive fill technology but was wondering if it's possible to adjust it so that it uses a little more water. I do run cleaning cycles often with hot water and bleach and there is no visible mold anywhere. I've also noticed sometimes that shirts will do the same thing if I'm working in the yard and sweating alot so it's not just the towels. I've tried smaller load sizes and can't bleach the towels as they are not white. I always use HE detergent (Tide liquid). Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks - Joe




Post# 318432 , Reply# 1   12/6/2008 at 10:52 (5,590 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa)        

runematic's profile picture
Try the new Affresh fl washer cleaner.

Post# 318443 , Reply# 2   12/6/2008 at 13:03 (5,590 days old) by timborow (Georgia)        
GEs do the same thing

I have the same problem with my GE FL Washer. If someone knows how to adjust the water level, please let me know. I have been taking a gallon pitcher and adding more water through the detergent dispenser.
Tim


Post# 318445 , Reply# 3   12/6/2008 at 13:15 (5,590 days old) by joeinfl (Wesley Chapel FL)        
Try the new Affresh fl washer cleaner.

I use it once a month, I should have put that in the original post. I really have no complaints other than this. It's been an awesome machine and cleanability is excellent. I have heard of some FL's being able to have the fill levels adjusted. Here in Florida water is expensive which is why I got these but if I can get it to use another gallon of water for each fill, that would be great.

Post# 318455 , Reply# 4   12/6/2008 at 14:41 (5,590 days old) by pulsator (Saint Joseph, MI)        
Switch detergents!!!!

pulsator's profile picture
I have both a Maytag Neptune and a Whirlpool Duet, the Neptune has never ever seen a hot wash or chlorine bleach and both it and everything that comes out of it smell wonderful! I have never had a problem with musty smells. But, that machine has also never seen LIQUID detergent, HE or not, it never has and never will see liquid!!! I often use both HE and non HE POWDERS in the Neptune and have never had an issue! The Whirlpool Duet however, does see hot washes with chlorine as well as HE liquid detergent (Tide or Cheer usually) and smells HORRIBLE!!!! Both machines are allowed to air out very well after every use for multiple days and still the Whirlpool Duet smells nasty and so does the stuff that comes out of it!

I truly believe your problem lies in the detergent you use, even though it is HE Tide, liquid detergents, to my understanding, tend to leave a build-up in the inside of the washer that is very inviting for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Thus, I never ever allow liquid detergents in my front loaders or my toploaders because not only does it cause smelly mildew problems, but liquid detergents also eat away at rubber parts in the washing machine and can cause it to leak and wear out much faster!


Post# 318459 , Reply# 5   12/6/2008 at 15:56 (5,590 days old) by joeinfl (Wesley Chapel FL)        
Switch detergents!!!!

I'll give this a try and buy powdered detergent tomorrow and see if it improves. I'll let you know the results.

Thanks!


Post# 318543 , Reply# 6   12/7/2008 at 03:20 (5,590 days old) by ronhic (Canberra, Australia)        
Conditioners

ronhic's profile picture
I have had various front load machines though all of them have been 'European' style smaller models than most American machines.

Consider using powder rather than liquid AND reducing or eliminating any conditioner. Not only does it put a coating your clothes, but also the interior of the machine.

I would suggest the following...

Do a HOT maintenance wash with no clothes, a half measure of good powder detergent and a cup of WHITE vinegar poured in as the machine is filling. Use the longest cycle you can.

Air the machine well.....

Also consider using a small amount of cheap white vinegar as fabric conditioner....in a large American machine, 1/4-1/2 cup should do it....you won't smell like salad dressing (though this is preferable to smelling musty!) it is cheaper AND your towels will absorb like they have never previously done....


Post# 318553 , Reply# 7   12/7/2008 at 07:20 (5,590 days old) by timborow (Georgia)        
Powder

What kind of powdered detergent do you guys recommend? Tide? Sears? or Regular powder?(non-HE)

Post# 318572 , Reply# 8   12/7/2008 at 10:37 (5,589 days old) by turboace (Wilmington, NC)        
I know this sounds gross but...

turboace's profile picture
Your towels might have a yeast infection. Everybody's body has a natural flora of bacteria and yeast on the outter layers of our skin. Yeasts, also known as fungus, are very difficult to get rid of due to the way they reproduce and produce spores. The spores are kind of like dormant yeast that are enclosed in protective shells. They are so robust in fact, that spores are often found from pre-historic ages and once given the right conditions will bloom into activly growing yeast.


The right conditions to bring out the growing yeasts is a warm, moist environment. Like a nice thick towel hanging in your warm steamy bathroom to dry.

You need to wash the heck out of the towels, throw everything you got at em. Oxygen bleach, sttp, the hottest water the color can take. All of this is to try and wash away the spores, there is no way to kill them, you just need to rid the towels of them. Now that you have washed them away, you need to keep the new ones, which will get on your towels each and every time you dry yourself, from growing. The easiest way to do this is to hang your towles up in such a way that they dry quickly, before the spores can germinate. Make sure that your towel, epecially thick ones, are hung on a rack, in a single layer with lots of ventalation. Dont fold them in halfs or thirds before you hang them back up and dont hang them on a hook. They need to dry fast.

Our bath towels had the funk, but its gone now! Another thing you can do, although it sounds dreadful, is find some towels that have a small % of synthetic fiber like poly and that arent quite as thick. This will help them dry faster. Also, make sure your bathroom has adequate ventilation either from a window or an exhaust fan. If you go the fan route, make sure that the fan is sized to the room. Thre are guidelines as to how many times a fan should exhange the air in the room per hour. Most newer houses the fan the builder installed is way undersized for todays larger bathrooms. All it does is basically make noise. We replaced the 50cfm builder grade fan in our master bath with a 350cfm fan which is what the room size calculator determined we needed. We also installed a wall mounted electronic timer switch that allows us to hit one button and the fan will go on a 10,20,30, 60 minute countdown and turn its self off. This has a couple benefits, you will rid the room of moist air, and then not forget to turn it off. An effeictively sized bathroom fan, if left on, will suck your heated or cooled air out of the house, wasting money. This avoids that problem.

I attached a ventilation calculator to help determine fan size. I also highly reccomend the Panasonic fans at this site, they have proven themselves in our last two homes.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO turboace's LINK


Post# 318579 , Reply# 9   12/7/2008 at 11:58 (5,589 days old) by joeinfl (Wesley Chapel FL)        
I know this sounds gross but...

Ewwwwwwhttp://www... I've never heard of that before, thanks for the info. I did try throwing in Oxyclean liquid and that does not seem to do anything. My house is only 5 years old and seems to have adequate ventilation in the bathrooms, I will double check with the calculator though to be sure. I turn the vent fan on before starting the shower and it runs for about 15 - 20 minutes after. I'll look into a timer also. All of you have been great, thank you so much for all of the help and advice!

Post# 318614 , Reply# 10   12/7/2008 at 13:32 (5,589 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        

sudsmaster's profile picture
Another thing to try is to run a load of whites with hot water and add some phosphated dishwasher detergent. It will contain STPP which will help to clean accumulated residue from both fabrics and washer.

If the washer is really yucky, run an empty hot load with the dishwasher detergent alone.


Post# 318635 , Reply# 11   12/7/2008 at 15:11 (5,589 days old) by timborow (Georgia)        

Which detergents contain STPP?

Post# 318679 , Reply# 12   12/7/2008 at 18:27 (5,589 days old) by fridgiman ()        

My towels had the same problem.
Eventhough they are not white I started putting a 1/4c of bleach in the bleach dispenser and programming for an extra rinse. Problem gone and the minimal fading of the towels was well worth getting rid of the funky smell so easily.


Post# 318709 , Reply# 13   12/7/2008 at 21:06 (5,589 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)        
What detergents contain STPP?

sudsmaster's profile picture
These days, few if any US-made laundry detergents contain STPP. An exception may be small producers who cater to the industrial/commercial trade.

Many imported Mexican detergents contain STPP, but you may have to search for them and read the ingredient label carefully.

Another method to get STPP in a laundry detergent would be to buy some STPP in bulk and add it yourself. Please observe all local regulations governing use of phosphates in residential laundry.


Post# 318712 , Reply# 14   12/7/2008 at 21:21 (5,589 days old) by launderess (Quiet Please, There´s a Lady on Stage)        

launderess's profile picture
As more and more commercial laundry product makers move to streamline operations, you are finding less and less phosphates. Simply isn't profitable to make several versions of the same detergent for different markets.

States like New York, which formally allowed commercial laundry products to continue to use phosphates, have now banned the substance. Unlike domestic users, commercial laundries can be hit with fines and such if tests of their waste water show banned chemicals, or if the substance is traced back to them. Commercial laundries are also responsible for disposal of any product. This is why so many try to slog the stuff on eBay or sell to a reseller, despite what producers like Ecolab have to say.

L.


Post# 318790 , Reply# 15   12/8/2008 at 11:15 (5,588 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        

revvinkevin's profile picture
I have a number of towels in my house like most people (I assume) and I had just one towel in particular that had this musty-odor problem. I would wash it (it smells fine), then dry it (still smells fine), then use it to towel off once or twice and..... BAM, the musty smell was back!

I did try washing it with more detergent and an oxi-bleach, but it didn't help. I finally grew very tired of the smell, gave up and just threw the towel in the trash.


Post# 318792 , Reply# 16   12/8/2008 at 11:30 (5,588 days old) by revvinkevin (Tinseltown - Shakey Town - La-La Land)        
FL washer water levels...

revvinkevin's profile picture
Forgot to add...

I have increased the water level on my 11 year old Frigidaire FL washer (for bulky items) by doing the same... adding water via the dispenser drawer.

I don't know how the Neptune determines the water lever, but I assume it's like most washers, using an air pressure switch. If that is the case you might be able to adjust it, or if not, find another way to fool it.

I've heard the newer FL machines have other sensors which do not allow higher water levels regardless. I heard somewhere (don't remember where) someone tried adding more water to their modern (american) FL via the dispenser drawer and when they did, the machine stopped and started draining to reduce the water level!!


Post# 318803 , Reply# 17   12/8/2008 at 12:29 (5,588 days old) by timborow (Georgia)        
Dishwasher Detergent

Just bought liquid Cascade. It says it has phosphates. Should I try it in the FL? If so, How much?


Post# 318981 , Reply# 18   12/9/2008 at 09:07 (5,588 days old) by seeitrun2006 (Commerce, GA)        
Arm & Hammer Washing soda

We have a Whirlpool Duet and have not had any problems with the washer developing an odor. We use Tide HE liquid with terrific results. We leave the open for the tub to dry out and use refresh about every couple of months. We've had it for one year this past November.

On the other hand we use the whitest white cycle for our towels and wash clothes. This cycle automatcally includes a third rinse and I use a warm wash. We also add 1/4 cup of Arm and Hammer washing soda to the wash prior to starting the machine. We add it directly to the tub since we use liquid in the dispenser. If you combine them together they could clump up and it could stop-up the dispenser. It's sold at most grocery stores. If you can't find it you can add regular baking soda also.

When we first got the Duet washer we had the same problem with smelly towels. I loaded every towel we had and ran them on the sanitary cycle with Tide liquid and washing soda. The washer ran for almost 3 1/2 hours since it has to heat the water to a certain temperture. Since then our towels smell fresh when using after a shower.

Hope this helps!


Post# 318995 , Reply# 19   12/9/2008 at 11:05 (5,587 days old) by countryguy (Astorville, ON, Canada)        

countryguy's profile picture
I've had my Kenmore HE4t for 3 years and have never had a problem with the washer developing an odour. I use Tide HE and leave the door open after use. I did have a problem with smelly towels but then I started using the sanitary cycle and now the smell is gone. I guess the water in my water heater must be hotter since the sanitary cycle runs for 2 hours.

Gary


Post# 319026 , Reply# 20   12/9/2008 at 14:11 (5,587 days old) by autowasherfreak ()        

I rinsed out an empty bottle of detergent a couple times filled the bottle and dumped it directly into the tub, and started the cycle, and the washer drained it all out then started to fill.

Post# 319052 , Reply# 21   12/9/2008 at 17:39 (5,587 days old) by favorit ()        
Dark towels

I guess that smell isn't a level issue, it is due to a too low temp.
Never had any problem with white towels, as we run them at least @ 140°F, at times @ 170 or even 200.
Indeed we have had the same problem with darks years ago, when we had to wash darks with warm water to avoid fading .

Now we wash them @ 140°F with dark fabric detergents such as Fewa/Perwoll Black Magic. As they aren't that dirty I mostly use the short cottons programme (1/2 hr wash + 1/2 hr rinses +spin). 140 degrees are held for 15 mins only, yet that's enough to delete any smell.

Here in IT there are DEOX detergents and softeners that contain something alike Febreeze and work great
Deox "Capi Neri e Scuri" is the one for darks


CLICK HERE TO GO TO favorit's LINK



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