Why Your LG Washer Fails the Sniff Test (And the Pro Hack to Fix It)
You spent a lot of money on a high-tech LG washer, but your clothes still smell like sweat. Sometimes, you even pull a washed shirt out of the machine and find dry spots on the fabric.
What is going on? Your washer is using too much water. Modern LG machines weigh your laundry to decide how much water to use. But the machine is often too stingy.
If you wash thick towels or heavy jeans, they absorb water quickly. This leaves no water left to actually wash away the dirt. Over time, this creates a smelly slime (biofilm) behind the drum, making your laundry smell like rotten eggs.
The Fix: You don’t need a new washer. You just need to know how to trick the machine into using more water. Here are the simple hacks to finally get your clothes clean.
The Pro Water Level Hack: Adjusting the Pressure Switch
If the built-in Water Plus button isn't providing sufficient saturation, there is a way to permanently trick the machine. Every LG washer has a pressure switch, a sensor that translates air pressure from a small tube into an electrical signal that tells the computer the water has reached the right height. By manually adjusting this switch, you can force the machine to fill higher on every single cycle.
Critical Warning: This is a hardware modification. It involves opening the machine’s chassis, which may void your warranty. You must unplug the power cord before starting to avoid electrical shock.
If your LG display is flickering or feels hot to the touch while you're working on the hardware, check out our guide on
Tools Needed:
- Phillips head screwdriver: To remove the back or top panel screws.
- Flathead screwdriver: To turn the plastic adjustment screw on the sensor.
- A sharp object (like a knife): To scrape away the factory sealant (usually red or blue Loctite).
The Step-by-Step Procedure:
- Access the Sensor: Remove the two screws at the back of the machine that hold the top panel. Slide the top panel back and lift it off.
- Locate the Pressure Switch: Look for a small, circular plastic component mounted near the top frame. It will have a thin rubber hose leading down to the bottom of the drum.
- Break the Seal: The center adjustment screw is usually covered in a hard sealant to prevent tampering. Carefully scrape this away so the screw can be turned.
- Adjusting for More Water: Using your flathead screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise to increase the water level.
- Pro Tip: Start with one complete turn. Two full turns are generally considered the safe maximum. If you go too far, you risk an FE (Overflow) error code or water leaking through the door.
- Test the Results: Reassemble the machine and run a cycle. You should now see a visible water line at the bottom of the glass door during the wash, something that is often missing in standard HE mode.
Soft Hacks: Tricking the Sensor Without Tools
If you aren't ready to take a screwdriver to your expensive appliance, you can still outsmart the energy-saving logic using these behavioral tricks:
1. The Towels + Turbo Strategy
The Normal cycle is the most water-efficient because it is the setting used for government energy ratings. To bypass this, many users swear by the Towels cycle combined with TurboWash. This setting uses noticeably more water and high-pressure jets to penetrate thick fabrics.
2. The Pre-Wet Method
Before you turn the machine on, use a pitcher to pour about a gallon of water into the drum with your dry clothes. Because the machine weighs the load while dry, the extra weight of the soaked fabric tricks the load sensor into thinking you have a much heavier load, which automatically triggers a deeper water fill.
3. Use the Bedding Setting
On LG top-loaders, especially, the Bedding or Bulky cycle is programmed to expect high-absorbency items. It defaults to the highest safe water level for your model. Some users run almost every load on the Bedding setting just to ensure they get a whole tub of water.
Maintenance: Eradicating the Odor-Causing Biofilm
If your washer already smells, running a Tub Clean with a tablet is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken leg. You have to go after the places where mold hides in the dark, specifically the spots you can't see without a flashlight.
The Drain Pump Filter (The Rotting Trap)
At the bottom-left of most LG front-loaders is a small access door. Inside is a pull-out hose and a screw-off filter. This filter catches hair, coins, and lint, which then sit in stagnant water and rot. If you haven't cleaned this in months, the material inside is likely a gray, odorous sludge. Clean this every 4 to 8 weeks to prevent the sour smell from transferring to your clothes.
The gasket folds.
The rubber seal (bellows) around the door has deep folds that trap water and hair. Pull these back, and you’ll likely find black spots of mold. Wipe this area down with a 10% bleach solution or a specialized mold-remover gel using an old toothbrush. After every wash day, wipe this gasket dry and leave the door open to allow airflow.
The Dispenser Spray Plate
We all clean the drawer, but few people look up inside the hole where the drawer goes. The ceiling of that compartment is a spray plate that often gets covered in black mold because it stays wet and dark. Scrub this with vinegar and a brush to ensure you aren't spraying mold spores over your detergent every time you start a load.
- Want more ways to quiet your machine?
- Check out our
LG Noise Dampening & Vibration Hacks . - Having the same smell in a different brand?
- See how to fix the Samsung washing machine odor.
Regional Strategies: Tailoring Your Laundry to Your Environment
Depending on where you live, your LG machine faces different challenges. Tailoring your approach to your local water and climate can drastically improve results.
North America: The 120V Heating Challenge
In the United States and Canada, most washers operate at 120 V. This means their internal heaters operate much more slowly than those in Europe. If you select a hot wash, the machine may only reach that temperature at the very end of the cycle. For heavily soiled loads, use the Sanitary or Extra Hot settings to give the heater enough time to actually kill bacteria and dissolve body oils.
UK, Europe & Australia: The Hard Water Battle
Regions such as the UK and parts of Australia (including Western Australia) experience hard water, often exceeding 200 mg/L of minerals. These minerals eat your detergent before it can clean your clothes.
- The 30% Rule: If you have hard water, you may need to use 30% more detergent than the label recommends to get a good wash.
- The Bio Advantage: In Europe, bio detergents contain enzymes that are incredibly effective at lower temperatures. However, if your machine is stinking, run a boil wash once a month with citric acid to strip away the limescale that traps bacteria.
High-Humidity & Monsoon Regions
In climates such as India or the US Gulf Coast, humidity levels spike, creating an environment conducive to mold growth.
- Airflow is Everything: During high-humidity seasons, leaving the door cracked isn't enough. After each wash day, remove the detergent drawer entirely, and consider using a dehumidifier in the laundry room to prevent black spots from forming overnight.
The Golden Rules of HE Detergent
The biggest mistake people make is using the giant measuring cap that comes with the bottle. The HE detergent is highly concentrated.
- 2-Tablespoon Limit: For most loads, you only need about two tablespoons of liquid detergent. Using more creates scrub, a waxy buildup that feeds mold and produces odors.
- Ditch the Softener: Liquid fabric softeners are essentially fats and fragrances. They coat the outer tub of your machine in a layer of grease that acts as a buffet for black mold. Switch to white vinegar in the softener compartment instead; it breaks down minerals and leaves clothes soft without the greasy residue.
FAQs & Technical Checks
How do I know if my water level is correct?
You can enter the secret Test Mode by pressing Spin + Soil + Power. On the digital display, an empty tub will show a frequency of approximately 255 Hz. As water fills, the number drops. A full tub (maximum safe level) is usually around $229 Hz$.
Is powder really better than liquid?
For machines prone to smell, yes. Powdered detergents (especially those with oxygen bleach) are more alkaline and more effective at inhibiting mold and biofilm growth than liquid soaps, which can be more sticky.
Will the hack cause a leak?
If you only turn the pressure switch screw $1$ or $2$ times, it's safe. If you over-adjust, water may reach the electronics or the door seal, but the machine has safety sensors (error codes such as $FE$ or $PE$) that prevent a total flood.
