Use trisodium phosphate, otherwise known as TSP (1/4 cup per load). It will make your clothes cleaner, and remove the mildew from the seal area that smells.
Next time, don't buy a front loader.
Source: http://elcheapocooks.com
By El Cheapo from Chattanooga, TN
This page contains the following solutions.
If your front loading washing machine smells a bit musty or has black mould growing on the door seal, simply use oil of cloves to freshen it up. I make up a 500ml bottle of water in a spray bottle and add 1/4 teaspoon oil of cloves.
I've got a front loading LG washer and what I do is pour bleach in the liquid bleach hole, run your washer on the hottest setting, or if you have one, on the clean tub setting.
Front loading washers have had a lot of bad press about developing foul odors. There are many suggestions for how to prevent and/or remove them.
