Cleaning front loading washer?

[jrabbit]

not sure where to put this question, but I am hoping someone here has an idea:

We have a Kenmore HE4 with mildew on the rubber seal. It's less than 2 years old, and the mildew started fairly soon after we bought it. I've read about this problem with this machine ... we don't have odor problems, like a lot of people seem to, but the mildew really irritates me. The Sears tech (just here) says that we have to clean it with bleach - and I don't "do" bleach. He also blamed fabric softener, which we don't use, either. Then, he said that it's because we usually wash in cold!!! ugh.

This is our second Kenmore front loader. The first one broke after 6 years, out of warranty, so we replaced it. We never had this mildew problem with that one.

Other than this irritating problem, I LOVE my washing machine. It would cost $281 to have Sears replace the rubber part - so it would make me happier if I could clean it instead. We're going to start washing diapers in it in December ... we washed diapers for 2 kids in the other one. I know they aren't the cause of this problem.

thanks!
--janis

[llamalluv]

The mildew is from the moisture building up. When the machine is not in use, are you closing it, or are you leaving the door open to air out?

[jrabbit]

i would agree with that, BUT we never had this problem with our first one, and I think that we probably kept it closed more than we do this one. (it's only closed when it's running or until I get around to emptying it, sometimes a long time). plus, it was an immediate problem that seemed to happen overnight shortly after we got the machine, and the stain hasn't gotten worse over the past year. I am not diligent about wiping it, so that isn't why. also, we don't have any odor issues, which seem to go hand in hand with the mildew when it's complained about (on other forums).