In this guide
TL;DR: Leave a front-load washer door open for drying when your model calls for it and you can keep children and pets out of the laundry area. Select GE UltraFresh models have a dedicated feature that dries the empty washer with the door closed. Simply shutting an ordinary washer does not provide that venting.
Why a closed door can hold moisture
After the clothes come out, the door glass and rubber seal can still be damp. The seal that keeps water inside during a wash can also limit drying when the door is closed. Whirlpool recommends leaving the door open between uses to help the washer dry and limit odor-causing residue.
Follow the drying position your own manual permits. If it allows a slightly open position, that can be more practical in a small laundry area than swinging the door into a walkway. LG's door-care guidance also warns that the glass can be damaged when the door hits surrounding objects.
A built-in vent feature changes the answer
GE's UltraFresh Vent System is available on select front-load models. Once a wash finishes and the clean laundry has been removed, GE says owners can leave the door open or use the UltraFresh Vent feature to help dry the gasket and other washer areas with the door closed.
The feature has to be selected as directed for that model. A closed door by itself is not the same operating condition. Look up your model's venting instructions, including when to start the feature and how it behaves if laundry remains inside.
When an open door creates an access problem
Keep children and pets away from the washer while its door is open. LG's owner instructions prohibit children from playing on or in the appliance. An open drum in an accessible hallway needs a different arrangement from one in a laundry room you can keep off limits.
If you cannot restrict access or keep the door clear of traffic, ask the manufacturer about a permitted drying arrangement for your model. A door prop is not a substitute for controlling access. Do not assume a control-lock setting prevents anyone from entering an open drum.
If the washer still smells after drying
Airflow does not remove residue already caught in a seal fold. The front-load washer door-seal guide covers that separate cleaning job. Odor that returns quickly also calls for tracing the source of an appliance smell, including retained water.
For a washer that permits a tablet cleaner, GOHALL washing machine cleaner tablets help loosen buildup during an empty machine-care cycle. Follow the compatible empty-washer tablet procedure and the appliance's care instructions. Cleaning the machine does not replace its drying instructions.
Washer door questions
Does a Clean Washer cycle mean I can leave the door closed afterward?
Check the aftercare instructions for your model. A cleaning cycle does not establish that the washer has a closed-door drying feature. LG's door-care guidance still calls for leaving the door open after cleaning to dry moisture, with access kept restricted.
Should I leave laundry inside while GE UltraFresh vents?
GE's washer-drying guidance says to remove the clean laundry first. Some equipped models use a different laundry-care program if clothing is detected; follow your model's instructions instead of treating that as an empty-washer drying cycle.