Drying washing quickly to stop it smelling musty?

Kavanne

Open some windows and place the washing near them?

And what is the top spin you are putting this on? I find it hard to imagine that on a 1000+rpm machine this could be happening

vaksam

Kavanne wrote: »

Open some windows and place the washing near them?

And what is the top spin you are putting this on? I find it hard to imagine that on a 1000+rpm machine this could be happening

Unfortunately there is no variable spin on this machine. It's 1000rpm according to the currys website. I have read some reviews online while trying to work out what was happening and it does seem that this particular model is renowned for the spin either being pants or simply not working at all. Ours does work, it just doesn't seem to pull much water out!

vaksam

skiTTish wrote: »

Try this ..it worked for us
Do a boil wash with nothing in the drum but a couple of cups full of soda crystals ( shove some in the drawer too )
Then wash the clothes using a bio wash powder and 30 deg wash ( 40 deg can kill off the bio action in some machines if the thermostat is new and its heating up too much ) your old machine wouldnt have reached 40deg on a 40deg wash ,as the heater will have been furred up ,so the bio would survive .

ah ..just noticed you said you use wash liquid ? when we bought the new machine we had to change from liquid to powder as liquid was giving he washing a '!!!!y' smell ,never did find out why but it didnt happen with powder ?!?

So changing to powder may be well worth a go then, thanks!

Kavanne

have you got a balcony or garden? that'd sort it. but otherwise, put a jumper on and open the window!

You could also try a dehumidifier but it's more expensive.

oystercatcher

I've just noticed you use liquid too.
A washing machine repair man said that machines get smelly if people always use liquid or very cheap powders as neither of them have bleach added. Apparently the more expensive powders have an ingredient that cleans the machine while it washes. The use of cooler washes makes the problem worse. I get round this by running a hot wash occaisionally and sometimes using expensive powder. I only use the liquid wash for delicates.

However I believe you've been given a new machine so it shouldn't have grown bugs yet.
I'm not clear if you disinfected just the machine or the actual clothes. I think the actual fabric may be growing mould or something and it won't stop smelling until you've killed it off with heat or disinfectant. If the clothes have been washed at 90 too then that should kill off anything but may kill the clothes too!!

vaksam

oystercatcher wrote: »

I've just noticed you use liquid too.
A washing machine repair man said that machines get smelly if people always use liquid or very cheap powders as neither of them have bleach added. Apparently the more expensive powders have an ingredient that cleans the machine while it washes. The use of cooler washes makes the problem worse. I get round this by running a hot wash occaisionally and sometimes using expensive powder. I only use the liquid wash for delicates.

However I believe you've been given a new machine so it shouldn't have grown bugs yet.
I'm not clear if you disinfected just the machine or the actual clothes. I think the actual fabric may be growing mould or something and it won't stop smelling until you've killed it off with heat or disinfectant. If the clothes have been washed at 90 too then that should kill off anything but may kill the clothes too!!

I didn't think the machine could have grown bugs either, but disinfected it with white vingear/bleach last night just in case - ran it empty though!

Am currently washing the clothes at 60 - don't dare wash them at 90 and fingers crossed they will survive 60 as a lot of old favourites are in there! This load should be finished in an hour or so.

I think I will invest in a box of washing powder to use every once in a while to flush out the machine, or wash my clothes in only (OH has a tendency to react badly to washing powders etc so have to be careful what I use for him).

vaksam

Kavanne wrote: »

have you got a balcony or garden? that'd sort it. but otherwise, put a jumper on and open the window!

You could also try a dehumidifier but it's more expensive.

No balcony, we have a small patch of garden but the terms of the lease state that noone can dry washing outside - can't help thinking this is a bit daft as the freesholders surely are then responsible for paying for structural damage to the flats caused by everyone having to dry inside and any resultant damp - never have been able to get my head round that one . I would be tempted to give it a go anyway but our upstairs neighbours happen to be 'directors' of the flats - they own a part share of the freehold and so are responsible for upholding the terms of the lease, so don't think I would get away with it.

Anyway this is my plan of attack for the load that's currently in the machine - Move airer into the living room, open living room and kitchen windows to create a through draught (rooms seperated by an arch). Place airer under living room window in front of radiator, stick heating on for a bit so there is both heat and ventilation helping them to dry. Also bring dehumidifier through and set that going.

Kavanne

no point in having the dehumidifier on if the windows are open don't waste the leccy!

vaksam

Kavanne wrote: »

no point in having the dehumidifier on if the windows are open don't waste the leccy!

Very good point! Thanks :beer:

dianaross

wipe round the door and rubber seals too, check the drain holes in the seals to make sure there is nothing lurking.

Don't leave washing in the machine, take it out as soon as spin cycle has finished.

roll washing in a towel to remove excess water before drying, it dries really quickly after that.

it does mean you have an extra wet towel or 2 though but you will get your clothes dry faster and hopefully without the musty smell.

just the towels that need drying then, but they won't be soaking wet like they have come out of the washing machine, just give them a spin, no need to wash them as they have only "blotted" clean washing.