Kenmore's top-loader guide lists three causes of odor: monthly maintenance not done as recommended (see Washer Care), too much detergent, and washer not unloaded as soon as the cycle is complete. Whirlpool's own guidance for the builder's front-loaders adds five habits: leave the door open between loads, run the Clean Washer cycle every month with affresh or liquid chlorine bleach (not thickened or no-splash bleach), clean the dispenser drawer regularly, remove the clothing at the end of the cycle and use only HE detergent. Kenmore's front-loader guide says to leave the door ajar at the end of the wash day and to follow its Washer Care steps.
Differential
Likely causes of “Kenmore 110-series front-load washer smells musty, sour or like mildew”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No monthly Clean Washer cycle
What separates it There is a musty smell from the tub because no monthly Clean Washer cycle was run
How to confirm Run Clean Washer with affresh or liquid chlorine bleach monthly
- 2
Too much detergent
What separates it There is residue and odor because too much detergent was used
How to confirm Measure correctly, and follow the maker's directions for detergent
- 3
Wet clothes left in the drum
What separates it There is a mildew smell on the clothes and the drum because wet clothes were left in the drum
How to confirm Unload as soon as the cycle finishes, and do not leave clothes in the drum
- 4
A closed door between loads
What separates it There is trapped moisture because the door is closed between loads
How to confirm Leave the door open or ajar, so that the drum dries
- 5
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): monthly maintenance not done
What separates it A musty odor develops in the tub and lid area
How to confirm Run the Clean Washer cycle as Kenmore recommends and leave the lid open to air out
- 6
Top-loader (110-series HE, Water Level knob): too much detergent
What separates it Residue and odors return after every wash even after cleaning the tub
How to confirm Measure detergent and use less for small loads or soft water
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Where the smell is strongest, at the drum, drawer or clothes
- How often Clean Washer is run
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRun Clean Washer
ReversibleRun Clean Washer, with an empty drum, and an affresh tablet or bleach as directed.
Leave the door open
ReversibleLeave the door open between loads, if no children or pets are present, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the dispenser drawer
ReversibleClean the dispenser drawer regularly, and dry it before you refit it, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Unload promptly
ReversibleUnload promptly after the cycle, and do not leave damp laundry inside, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Use HE detergent only
ReversibleUse HE detergent only, and measure it for the load, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Run Clean Washer
ReversibleUse the Clean Washer cycle every 30 washes to keep the inside fresh, with an empty tub and liquid chlorine bleach; Kenmore says the cycle uses a higher water level and should not be interrupted. Never put garments in during the cycle.
Unload promptly
ReversibleRemove finished loads as soon as the cycle ends. Kenmore lists odors as caused by not doing the recommended maintenance and using too much detergent, so unload quickly, use only HE detergent in the measured amount, and see the Washer Care section.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Washer Care in the guide
- Both Kenmore guides direct you to a Washer Care section for the monthly maintenance procedure, and the top-loader guide adds that the Washer Maintenance procedure should be done at a minimum once a month or every 30 wash cycles, whichever comes first, to control how quickly soils and detergent accumulate. Use warm and hot wash water sometimes, not only cold, because it controls accumulation better.
- Steam models
- On steam models of the builder's front-loaders the first 20 minutes of Clean Washer only steam, and an affresh tablet will not dissolve completely then, which is normal; leave the door open slightly afterwards to ventilate. It is the same routine Whirlpool describes for its own front-loaders, and it is the builder's own advice for this platform.
- Front-loader guide: the monthly washer clean
- Kenmore's own 110.4996x guide says the Washer Maintenance Procedure should be done monthly: close the door, add 2/3 cup (160 mL) of liquid chlorine bleach to the bleach compartment with no detergent, choose the CLEAN WASHER cycle and press START. The basket turns for a sensing pass of about three minutes before the cycle continues, and more than 2/3 cup of bleach can damage the product. Wipe stained door seal areas with 3/4 cup of chlorine bleach in 1 gallon of warm water, leave it for 5 minutes, then dry it. Use only HE detergent, because non-HE detergent leaves a film that causes odor, and leave the door slightly open after each cycle.
- Odor prevention
- Kenmore says promptly removing garments avoids odor, wrinkling and rusting of metal hooks, zippers and snaps. Dry the washer interior by leaving the lid open after cycles and follow the Washer Care instructions for monthly maintenance.
- Clean Washer details
- The Clean Washer cycle uses a higher water level and liquid chlorine bleach and should not be interrupted. Run it with an empty tub, never with garments inside, and use it every 30 washes to keep the inside fresh and clean.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the 110-series top-load washer.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the smell is burning or electrical, unplug the washer and call service
- !If sewer smell comes from the drain, check the drain hose or call a plumber
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Kenmore's own guide for the 110 front-loader in full: the pages that carry the troubleshooting, care and cleaning sections are images, so they were read by text recognition and checked against the printed page.
Whirlpool's own table of front-load washer codes, used for the builder's front-load platform.
Exact questions
Common questions
How often should I clean my Kenmore 110?+
Run the Clean Washer cycle monthly.
Can I use no-splash bleach?+
No; thickened bleach causes excess suds in the Clean Washer cycle.
Why does mildew smell come back?+
Wet clothes or a closed door after loads.
Does detergent dose matter?+
Yes, the detergent dose matters, since too much leaves residue.
Is the dispenser a source?+
Yes, the dispenser is a source, so clean it regularly.
How often should I run Clean Washer?+
Kenmore says to run it every 30 washes.
Can I put clothes in during Clean Washer?+
No, run it with an empty tub.