I use a product called Clorox Washing Machine Cleaner. You fill the bleach dispenser and run a full cycle on the hot water setting with an extra rinse cycle. I did this as needed when I had a front loading washer. My top loader rarely needs it.

Another thing I used to do when I had a front loader was add some borax powder to every load. It is a mild disinfectant, a laundry detergent booster, and freshens loads of laundry. It will help keep your washer fresh and lessen the need to use the machine cleaner I described above.

Not understanding. Isn't the washing machine being washed as it washes the clothes ?

Curt, my experience with a front loading washer is that the rubber seal around the door never dries out unless you leave the door wide open any time it's not in use. If the washer is in a space that is too small to do this and the door is closed between uses, you get a smelly mold problem and have to wash the washer every so often. I suspect that is the issue in this case.

As far as my current top loader, I will occasionally run a short cycle to clean it out after washing dog rugs and bedding if there is much hair left behind. I still use borax in every load for it's freshening properties. It is particularly helpful in making synthetic workout clothing smell fresh and allows the use of less detergent per load.

I have a front loader and it does get that smell. I either leave the door open, or if it gets closed I have a towel sitting inside to absorb the moisture. I'm in S. FL so we have a lot of humidity no matter the ac. I use vinegar to clean my washer.

Use Affresh -- it cleans off the detergent residue that remains on the Outside of the drum (there's no way to access it) -- and wipe out all the little crevices that you Can reach in the rubber gasket.