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A modern clothes washing machine can suffer from odors or mildew. It may build to the point where the odors seem to overwhelm all other aspect of the clothes washing experience. The causes can be varied but generally are due to moisture build-up within the clothes tub.

Since the washing machine itself operates full of water the presence of moisture is typical. The problems usually begin either when the water is not removed at the end of the cycle by the drain system, or for some other reason, excess water accumulates inside the tub.

If the drain system is suspected test the clothes immediately after the cycle has ended. The cheek method works well. Remove a towel from your completed load of washing. Place it against your cheek. The towel should feel cool against your cheek without feeling wet. If the towel feels wet place it back into the washing machine and re-spin the load. If a second spin removes more moisture then your washing machine is not reaching its maximum spin speed.

Associated with the slow spin speed is overloading of the washer. To test for overloading wait until your normal load has completed and come to a full stop. Then remove two or three items and restart the cycle from the rinse position. Let the washing machine fill with water, and go completely through the rinse, drain, and spin cycles. Again let the machine complete the cycle and come to a full stop. If the clothes are now properly spun, suspect overloading.

There are many things that can affect the spin speed. The most common is an unbalanced load. An unbalanced load will not allow the tub to reach the maximum spin speed. Its usually accompanied by the washing machine either jumping, or being noisy. If this is allowed to continue moisture will remain inside the tub at cycles end. This will cause the machine to smell musty and can eventually lead to the presence of mildew.

All washing machines must come to maximum spin speed to remove the moisture from the clothes. Although the drain pump will remove the majority of water, it is the spinning that removes the moisture from the clothing. If for any reason the maximum spin speed is not reached the moisture within the clothing will tend to redeposit itself inside the washing machine. This is common for people who allow the wet clothes to sit inside the machine long after the wash cycle has been completed. This simple act often leads to odors or mildew. For this reason avoid washing right before bedtime, or before going to work in the morning.

If your washing machine is a front-loading style the possibility of odors is something about which you must be aware. Moisture can accumulate at both the inside surface of the door and the interior. To alleviate this problem dry off the inside surfaces of the door with a clean cloth as soon as your washing is finished. If possible, leave the door slightly open after your washing is completed. This allows warm room air to enter the machine while the machine sits idle.

Also, gently wipe off the rubber seal at the front of the washing machine. It often has grooves, ridges, or small crevices in its surface where water can accumulate. Be aware that along with the wash water will be a small amount of detergent. If allowed to accumulate it can become sour and heighten the bad smell. This is especially possible for anyone with sloppy washing habits.

A final note about front-loading washers is in regard to liquid fabric softeners. If used full strength they may be involved in the odor problem. When used full strength it can become deposited in the detergent dispenser or the front door seal. Once deposited the softener can become sticky, allowing lint and dirt from the clothes to adhere to these surfaces. This washing debris can then cause a smell if left to build up.

At full strength from the bottle their concentration may be too high for the small quantity of water used within a front loader. Liquid fabric softeners should be diluted before placed into these washers. The recommended mixture is six parts of water to every one part of softener. To regulate your liquid fabric softener, keep a pre-mixed amount in a secondary bottle. When fabric softener is required pour it into the washing machine from the pre-mixed rather than the original bottle.

If your clothes washing machine presently has an odor use some of the above methods to isolate the cause. If cleaning the problem area is unsuccessful you may need to take further action. Many consumer websites suggest multiple applications of hot water and a cup of white vinegar. This may be helpful. My experience has shown this method is more preventative than corrective. For washing machine odours we generally recommend the use of a strong washing machine cleaner. One of the most affective is Glisten. Another one is called Ysano. Both can be purchased at most appliance parts stores. At a price of approximately $10 it is well worth the investment.

Copyright 2006 Donald Grummett. All rights reserved. Need answers about repairs and maintenance of Household Appliances? With 35 years experience Donald Grummett can help. Visit http://www.mgservices.ca to learn much more invaluable information.

A lot has been written about Guerrilla marketing strategies.

Does that mean putting on a monkey suit to attract attention? Of course not.

Ormaybe Yes.

Guerrilla marketing has been championed in recent years by Jay Conrad Levinson, whos written a series of books on the subject. The name simply implies means by which you can implement marketing ideas through low-cost, non-traditional methods.

true story: when I was Advertising manager at Royal Insurance, I received an unusual delivery one day. When I opened the box, inside was one of those plastic foot models you see in a shoe or department store. This foot was wearing a sneakerand a note attached from a local ad agency which said, in essence, Now that weve got our foot in the doorlets set up a meeting to discuss how the (name) Ad Agency can assist you and Royal Insurance in your marketing endeavors

Well, I thought it was brilliant, and invited the guy in post-haste. How can you not respond to something like that?

Here are some other ideas:

• send one of those inexpensive throw-away cameras to a valued client or high-chance prospect with the message Picture us together(etc.)


• Similarly, send one of those silly bottles (of candy) that typically are labeled Stress Busters or Problem Solvers and send that, along with an apt message that acknowledges the clients concernsalong with your ability to take care of it.


• Consider old-fashioned bartering; according to Rick Crandall, PhD, and marketing author, Barter not only cuts your costs, but can also get you a beginning client base which can then provide further referrals and testimonials.

Guerrilla marketing is as far-reaching and all-inclusive as you want it to be. It doesnt have to be wild or inconsistent with your business or industry. It just has to be different. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, the worst sin one can commit is to be dull.

So start to think outside the box. And inside, and alongside, and near side and far side

Joel Kweskin is the principal behind JDK marketing communications management.

He is a former Advertising manager and creative Director for Royal (& SunAlliance) Insurance, helping to earn several industry awards for excellence in advertising and marketing communications. During this period, he served as national Vice President of the Insurance marketing communications Association (IMCA) and was representative to the Association of national Advertisers (ANA).

He has been a copywriter for New york City and charlotte advertising agencies; his writing skills embrace virtually all disciplines of marketing promotion and journalism.

Since 1996, through the emergence of his own company, Kweskin has offered consultation on marketing strategy and creative development and implementation for such diverse national, regional and local corporate names as bellsouth mobility DCS (Verizon); Transamerica Reinsurance; Bristol-Myers Squibb; John Deere; Moissanite Jewelry; pro-Med emergency Care; charlotte Housing Authority and Archadeck.

Kweskin has also displayed his skills on both the publication stage and the theatrical stage: he co-authored articles for national Lampoon magazine and co-scripted a comedy revue off-Broadway in New york City.

Joel Kweskin JDK marketing communications management 704.846.4835, office 704.575.8850, cell 704.841.2746, fax www.jdkmarketing.biz