Ewww my washing machine STINKS :(

Penelope_Penguin

Hi there :beer: We have an existing thread on smelly washers - I'll add this one to keep ideas together.

Have you tried cleaning the seal - that's often the source of the problem

Penny. x

BigMummaF

I've just posted this on the "nice smelling laundry" thread & thought it might be helpful to put it here too

I had to replace my washing machine this week & asked the chap about Calgon...He came straight back with "It's over-priced & does nothing that ordinary soda cyrstals can't do for a lot less money!"

He recommended using the hottest wash & soda crystals about every three months for about a year or so, then do it about once a month. He was from a Euronics outlet, a shop I've used several times before & who are genuinely very helpful & I trust their judgement 100%. HTH.

TITEASCRAMP

I came back home today, walked in the kitchen to an awful smell. I've tracked it to my washing machine.
It's a strange smell sort of musty but generally not pleasant.

Does anyone know of any way to get rid of the smell and get it smelling fresh again?

Thanks

angelavdavis

Apparently it is due to us washing at lower temperatures. My machine was the same. I simply put some white vinegar in the fabric conditioner drawer and ran a 60 degree wash to rinse the pipes through.

Other posts with recommendations are here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1240707
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1216535
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=360687

MrMicawber_2

We have had a couple of problems with our washing machine over the years and found someone very good to come and look at it. He advised a hot wash at 60 once a week (we were using our machine 3 - 4 times a week at the time) or the machine goes get clogged up with residue and goes smelly and also start overflowing sometimes. Also the cheaper powder / tablets are more inclined to clog up. (Like many here we only use half the powder / tablets it says on the packet).

Primrose

As others have suggested, an occasional hot wash seems to be the answer to kill off all the bacteria which lurk in pipes and don't get killed off by lower washing temperatures. I also find that Liquid Ariel works more effective than powder which doesn't always dissolve properly.

frugallass

Another vote for white vinegar here (great for stinky towels too)

blueberrypie

Running a cycle with dishwasher detergent works well. I know it sounds strange, but often the smell is caused by greasy build-up in the machine/hoses, and dishwasher detergent is, after all, designed to remove grease.

Pink.

Hi TITEASCRAMP,

There's an earlier thread with lots of ideas that may help so I've added your thread to it to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

EssexHebridean

My usual "Wash recipe" is a single powder tablet and a scoop of washing soda in the powder compartment, and a good slosh of white vinegar in the fabric conditioner compartment. Since I've been doing this I've noticed the washing smells miles fresher - it even deals with Mr EH's rugby kit when he's left it in the kit bag for several days! Absolutely no problems with smelly washing machines either!