One of the most disgusting things I've ever had the displeasure of knowing......

[mlp4me]

Ugh, yucky gross! Sewage water is no good.
We've got a top loader with that uh agitator thingy in the middle... You'd be amazed by how hard it is to find ones like that anymore. Must have rod in center to work properly imo.

[MiRaja]

I think it depends on the brand? 

Personally, I love my parent's set, which I use when I go home every week.  There's no issues with them.  What so ever.  They really do need normal maintenance though, but they're MUCH easier on clothing since there is no agitator.  Which is a major deal with me, as most of my clothes are vintage or designer.  I go through clothes at a noticeably slower pace having used an agitatorless machine. 

Having sewer water in your system sounds like something to do with your plumbing though, and maybe some of the connections were set up wrong? 

The only issues with my parent's is that my dad likes to load the washer too heavy with all his skunky work pants that weigh a ton.  Levi's, ugh.  Then he complains when the thing throws itself out of alignment trying to wash them and makes some noise because of it.  Idjit.   

Also, the washer handles my work shirts.  I'm a server in a restaurant that is a tie and white shirt environment.  I've cleaned shirts covered in honey mustard ( other server was cleaning salad bar and dumped it all over me ) and it came out white after a wash.  It gets my shirts CLEAN. 

They're LG's btw. 

[WildBlue]

I think it totally comes down to maintenance (NOT for you Wild! Sounds like you guys did everything!) - Perhaps you just got a lemon of a machine that somehow had stagnant water somewhere sitting all the time? Mine is an LG, and we too do all the fun stuff, wiping down the seal, cleaning the inside filter, replacing hoses, leaving it open (and so far, have never found a kitty sleeping in the drum, lol) and I've been pretty obsessive about making sure that it stays clean...

The washing machine "cleaner" stuff is really a bunch of bunk, but I do use it maybe every 2 months, mostly to get any water residue off the drum itself (hard water residue, luckily our water isn't hard OR soft here... so, not too much limescale or calcium or rust building up)...

That was my other question - where do you live? (Not... uber specifically) - but, regionally - the water can also cause the issues, definitely there are parts of the country where this mold issue for washers crops up MUCH more than it does in other areas...

I live in Virginia/mountain area. It is definitely humid here at times,  I am constantly emptying our dehumidifier. So I am thinking this kind of problem is made worse by not draining properly and all the extra moisture in the air.
We have a well and know that water is good for having it tested.
A washing machine is pretty simple to take apart once you learn about it. But if you are still on warranty be sure not to take it apart though because that will void the warranty.
I should have, while it was under warranty made them give me a new machine instead of sending repair guys over and over. That was my mistake. But I did learn a lot from them guys about taking it apart.
This time, if I have to call for repairs while it is under warranty I am going to immediately start looking into possible lemon. We got the extended protection plan this time too. So hopefully no running out of time on the warranty before we figure out the problem this time.

They make those tabs for cleaning the dish washing machine too! I've never had a problem with the dishwasher and basically do the same cleaning and drying out for it. All the water drains properly and it has never smelled bad!!

[Sunshine]

Wild - I would definitely say it was the machine! If you have no issues in your dishwasher then it's definitely not a "water related issue"  - and VA - you're not too far (latitude-wise) from where I am, and I definitely know the humidity you're talking about!

Well I hope that with whatever kind of new washer you get, top or front loader, that you don't have such an issue anymore, I really can't believe with all the maintenance that you guys did that you couldn't make your machine stop... being funky...! Bleh!

Also, hey, you've got your 2nd job now right? Washing Machine repair?

[Artemesia's Garden]

Ooooh ****. I started getting excema after moving in with new people and of course a different machine. Next time they go out I'm running a cup of bleach through. Thanks for the heads up!

{Edit for language - kkat]

[WildBlue]

Wild - I would definitely say it was the machine! If you have no issues in your dishwasher then it's definitely not a "water related issue"  - and VA - you're not too far (latitude-wise) from where I am, and I definitely know the humidity you're talking about!

Well I hope that with whatever kind of new washer you get, top or front loader, that you don't have such an issue anymore, I really can't believe with all the maintenance that you guys did that you couldn't make your machine stop... being funky...! Bleh!

Also, hey, you've got your 2nd job now right? Washing Machine repair?

I couldn't believe it either. I thought I was doing good in controlling it. But it just wouldn't go away and I was just done with it.
I ended up with a top loader and have been washing since they finally got me the correct plug. I love it so far.
haha, that isn't a bad idea, I dont know if I could repair them but I could go into business cleaning them.... if I could stand the funk. LOL

Ooooh ****. I started getting excema after moving in with new people and of course a different machine. Next time they go out I'm running a cup of bleach through. Thanks for the heads up!

{Edit for language - kkat]

You are welcome. I had skin issues at one time also. Still having allergy/breathing issues, but getting better. Definitely run some bleach through there. There is a lot of other good tips people have posted.
If you are still having issues with eczema try a free and clear laundry detergent. This will help eliminate some of the residual build up of dyes, perfumes and all the other stuff they put in laundry detergent that builds up on your laundry and in the washing machine over time.
I add a little of either borax or baking soda in the load also.
I hope your skin feels better!