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LG Washer Doesn’t Clean Smell or Stains Properly? Try This Pro Water Level Hack
If your LG washing machine leaves clothes smelling musty or stains behind, low water levels, and poor maintenance are often to blame. Learn a practical water-level hack plus cleaning, detergent, and maintenance tips to get fresher, cleaner laundry fast.
Why Your LG Washer Isn’t Cleaning Properly
LG washers are efficient and smart, but that efficiency can sometimes reduce the amount of water used, and less water may mean poorer cleaning. The most common causes of lingering smells, detergent residue, or stains are:
- Low water level: Not enough water to saturate items and dissolve detergents fully.
- Detergent build-up: Using too much detergent or non-HE detergent in HE machines.
- Dirty drum or filter: Residue inside the machine can re-contaminate every load.
- Incorrect load size: Overloading prevents clothes from tumbling and rinsing properly.
- Hard water: Minerals reduce detergent effectiveness and leave residues.
If you notice musty smells or stains that won’t budge, low water usage is often the main issue — and that’s where the simple water-level hack helps.
Related reading: How to Descale a Washing Machine: descaling improves detergent action in hard-water areas.
The Science of Water Levels in Modern LG Washers
Modern LG washers (front-load and HE top-load) use sensors to set water levels based on load weight. While that saves water and energy, it can sometimes:
- Underestimate the required water for bulky or mixed loads.
- Leave detergent and soils trapped inside dense fabric loads.
- Fail to rinse away odor-causing residues.
The purpose of the water-level hack is to force deeper saturation and better rinsing without voiding warranties or using aggressive modifications.
The Pro Water Level Hack: Step-by-step
Follow these safe steps to improve cleaning performance on LG machines:
1. Use the Bulky / Bedding Cycle
The Bulky/Bedding cycle raises water usage and improves saturation. Use this cycle for heavy or mixed loads when stains or smells are a problem.
2. Pause & Add Extra Water
- Start the chosen wash cycle and let it run for a few minutes so clothes begin to tumble.
- Pause the cycle (most LG washers allow a pause mid-cycle).
- Carefully pour 1–2 gallons (about 4–8 liters) of warm water into the drum. Pour slowly along the drum walls to avoid splashing.
- Resume the cycle — the extra water helps dissolve detergent and loosen stains so they rinse away.
Note: Don’t overfill or tamper with internal sensors. This method uses normal fill openings and relies on built-in controls to finish the cycle safely.
3. Always Use Extra Rinse
Select the Extra Rinse option to remove leftover detergent that can feed odor-causing bacteria and leave residue. This is especially important for heavy soils or sensitive skin.
4. Run Regular Tub Clean Cycles
Run the Tub Clean or Drum Clean cycle monthly with a washer cleaner (Affresh or a vinegar+baking soda method) to break down residue and biofilm.
Useful guide: How to Fix a Leaking Washing Machine Drum — includes tips on drum maintenance that help improve cleaning performance.
Extra Tips to Eliminate Washer Odors & Stains
- Use the correct detergent: Always use HE detergent for LG front-load and HE models. Too much detergent causes build-up.
- Don’t overload: Leave space for clothes to tumble — this improves mechanical action and stain removal.
- Leave the door open: After each wash, keep the door ajar to let the drum dry and prevent musty smells.
- Clean the drain pump filter: Remove lint and debris from the filter every 1–2 months (check your manual for location).
- Treat stains quickly: Pre-treat with stain remover or a small soak before washing for stubborn spots.
Following these tips together with the water-level hack will dramatically reduce smells and improve stain removal.
When to Call a Technician
If the water-level hack and maintenance steps don’t fix cleaning issues, consider professional service. Likely causes that need a technician:
- Faulty water inlet valve or pressure sensor (causes incorrect fills).
- Blocked inlet hoses or internal water channels reduce flow.
- Electronic sensor or control board malfunctions.
- Worn drum bearings or other mechanical issues affecting agitation.
Contact an LG-certified technician for diagnosis and safe repairs if you suspect these issues.
FAQs: LG Washer Water Level & Cleaning
Will adding water damage my LG washer?
No — adding a moderate amount of extra water during a paused cycle (1–2 gallons) is safe and commonly used to improve rinsing. Avoid flooding or pouring water into electronics or the detergent drawer.
How often should I run a Tub Clean cycle?
Run a Tub Clean or Drum Clean cycle once a month if you use the washer frequently, or every 2–3 months for light use. This prevents residue and musty smells.
Is HE detergent necessary for LG washers?
Yes. HE detergents are formulated to produce fewer suds and dissolve better in low-water environments, which prevents residue and improves rinsing in LG HE machines.
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