Amana's guide says odor in the NTW4516 comes from skipped monthly maintenance, too much detergent, or leaving the load in. It asks you to leave the lid open between uses, to use warm and hot washes sometimes rather than only cold, to measure detergent and never exceed the recommended amount, and to run the Clean Washer with affresh cycle at least once a month or every 30 washes, whichever comes first, with an affresh tablet in the bottom of the basket and no detergent. Then run a Rinse & Spin to rinse the cleaner out.
Differential
Likely causes of “Amana NTW4516 top-load washer smells musty, sour or like mildew”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Monthly cleaning not done
What separates it There is a musty smell from the tub because the monthly cleaning was not done
How to confirm Run Clean Washer with affresh every 30 washes
- 2
Too much detergent
What separates it Residue and odor build up because too much detergent was used
How to confirm Measure and follow the label; never use more
- 3
Load left in the washer
What separates it There is an odor on the clothes because the load was left in the washer
How to confirm Unload as soon as the cycle is complete
- 4
Only cold washes
What separates it Soil and detergent accumulate because only cold washes were used
How to confirm Use warm and hot settings sometimes, to wash away the build up
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- When Clean Washer was last run
- The amount and the type of detergent that you use
- How long loads sit after the cycle
Try in this order
0 of 5 completedLeave the lid open
ReversibleLeave the lid open between uses, so that the tub dries out, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Clean Washer with affresh
ReversibleRun Clean Washer with affresh, with an empty tub, a tablet in the bottom of the basket, no detergent, and do not interrupt it.
Or use bleach
ReversibleOr use bleach, by putting one cup of liquid chlorine bleach in the bleach compartment, with no detergent.
Rinse & Spin afterwards
ReversibleRun Rinse and Spin afterwards, to rinse the cleaner out of the washer, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the dispensers
ReversibleClean the dispensers, by wiping them with a damp cloth, since they are not removable.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Long-term care and storage
- If the washer is stored or moved, disconnect power, shut off the water, drain the hoses, and in freezing weather put 1 qt of R.V.-type antifreeze in the basket and run Rinse & Spin for about 30 seconds. When it goes back into use, run the Bulky Items & Sheets cycle with half the recommended HE detergent to clear the antifreeze.
- The cleaning procedure step by step
- For the affresh procedure the guide says: open the lid and remove all clothing, put one affresh tablet in the bottom of the basket (never in the dispenser), add no detergent or other chemical, close the lid, select the cycle recommended for cleaning the inside of the washer and press Start/Stop/Pause/Unlock Lid. Do not interrupt it; if you must, press the button once. Afterwards run a Rinse & Spin to rinse the cleaner out.
- Day-to-day habits that prevent odor
- Beyond the monthly cleaning, Amana's guide lists three habits: never use more detergent than recommended, since extra detergent and soil residue accumulate inside the washer and produce odor; use warm and hot wash water some of the time, because warm and hot settings control the rate at which soils and detergent accumulate better than cold alone; and always leave the lid open between uses so the washer dries out and odor-causing residue cannot build up.
- Parts for this problem on the NTW4516 (RepairClinic, 2026-09-21)
- drain pump filter at outer tub inlet, part number WPW10215093, at $53.20; bleach dispenser, part number WPW10192089, at $12.03; washing machine drain pump assembly, part number WPW10661045, at $53.20.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the NFW5800 front-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If odor is burning or electrical, unplug the washer and call service
- !If sewer smell comes from the drain, call a plumber
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Amana's own table of top-load washer codes and resolutions.
Amana's own symptom articles for top-load washers, each.
A dealer listing giving the NTW4516FW's capacity, cabinet size and feature list.
Parts and list prices as shown on RepairClinic's parts search for this model number on 2026-09-21.
Exact questions
Common questions
How often should I clean my Amana NTW4516?+
At least once a month or every 30 wash cycles, whichever comes first.
Where does the affresh tablet go?+
In the bottom of the basket, never the detergent dispenser.
Can I use bleach instead?+
Yes, 1 cup of liquid chlorine bleach in the bleach compartment.
Should I use detergent in the Clean Washer cycle?+
No, do not use detergent in the Clean Washer cycle, since it causes suds.
Does the lid need to stay open?+
Yes, between uses to dry out.
Does cold-only washing cause odor?+
It can let soils accumulate; use warm and hot sometimes.