Damp smell on clothes

Primula

I found that washing at 30 degrees left a smell in the machine after a few weeks so I just went back to washing at 40 again and the smell went.

BitterAndTwisted

Kataratarina wrote: »

Recently my clothes (after being washed) are smelling of damp?
I use softener but it seems to be cardigans and towels?
I don't leave the clothes in the machine long after the wash has finished.
Could it just be because I've had the clothes on the clothes horse and maybe not had the heating on?

If it's mainly the heavier things which take longer to dry I would say it's almost certainly because they're not getting aired properly, especially if there's no heat to help get them dry.

Do you have any drying space outside at all? Or somewhere indoors where you could supply some heat, even just for a short while?

Kataratarina

I took your advice and put vinegar in the drawer and done a 90degree wash. just opened the door (a few days after the hot wash) and the washing machine stinks!!! I left the door open and went out shopping and have came back and can smell the washing all over the downstairs?

What have i done?

Britneyspears

Kataratarina wrote: »

I took your advice and put vinegar in the drawer and done a 90degree wash. just opened the door (a few days after the hot wash) and the washing machine stinks!!! I left the door open and went out shopping and have came back and can smell the washing all over the downstairs?

What have i done?

It is probably to do with your pipes how old is your machine? also what does it smell of?

Nicoll

Unless it's raining I try and hang the washing out for a couple of hours in the morning. (I'm lucky, I work local so get to pop home at lunchtime) After that it's usually still wet this time of year so hang over clothes horses on landing and in spare room. At some point in evening I try and remember to turn the clothes over so don't get left with any damp spots. I wash mostly on cool but don't get any smelly washing this way. When I used to just put things on the clothes horse and not turn them I found the heavier items would smell and the polo shirts would smell around the collars where they are thicker too.

Minihauk

I find when it is cold and no heating is on, if using a clothes airer things take much longer to dry and are usually folded over - this jkeeps the moisture in. I try to hang clothes on hangers (using a shower rail or doorframes) so the air can circulate.
If the problem is a smelly machine it may take a few very hot washes with soda crystals and white vinegar to clean through the pipes.
hth

juliethemuse

i found my clothes smelt weird after using asda smart price wash powder, i cant really describe the smell but it was similar to damp, now i have changed washing powders i dont have the problem, SP wash powder was /is only 74p and others are more expensive, but i think in the case of wasing powders its worth spending a bit more, what powder are you using?

tracey12_2

I had this problem a while ago and a lot of people on the internet were having the same problem. It only happened to me after I switched to a washing liquid rather than powder. I put a small cup of soda crystals into the washing machine drum and did the hottest wash. I also took out the drawer where the powder goes and gave that a clean and cleaned the door seal. I then switched back to washing powder. After I have done the washing I always leave the door open a fraction to let air circulate and then you shouldn't have a problem.

cazscoob

have you cleaned the filter? i had to dismantle the kitchen to find mine! but it has solved the smell and i have nice smelling clothes

zippychick

I've merged this with a previous thread on damp smelling washing

T shirt still smelly after washing may also help

I would say it's because they took too long to dry to be honest

these links may also help

drying washing outside

getting washing dry

washing line or rotary

do you wash your washing again if rained on?

drying washing outside

drying clothes indoors

Zip