Ewww my washing machine STINKS :(

greenbee

Mine did this for a while, and so I've changed what I use in it and the way I use it. I don't use any fabric conditioner anymore, not even in a 2-in-1 product. I put the powder, soapnuts or liquid in the drum and use a lot less than it says on the pack. I add a spoonful of soda crystals to powder, and a small amount of laundry bleach to whites. All washing gets a splash of vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser to make sure all the soap is out of the fabric and the machine - plus scale is reduced.

I wash all my cleaning cloths every few weeks on a 90 degree wash with soda crystals in the wash and vinegar in the softener compartment. It's an almost-empty wash. I wipe the seal pretty regularly, and if its gunky, use a cloth with vinegar on. And obviously there's the filter, which I HATE doing as its so difficult to access. I don't really need to take the drawer out now it only has vinegar in it, but I do check it every so often and wipe out the hole that it lives in. I used to have to scrub this out as it was revolting. My machine is now 12 years old, and has no mould stains (although it does have a tiny bit of rust by the dispenser drawer, and probably more underneath it... )

Smell isn't a problem anymore, and I'm pretty sure its the regular hot washes that help (I also do 50 or 60 degree wash once a fortnight for sheets & towels whether they need it or not), as although cool washes clean the clothes they may not clean the machine effectively.

skintbint_2

dont get anew one yet - i had exactly the same problem and i changed from using washing liquid back to the good old real washing powder. i did a couple of boil washes with a couple of old towels but only used washing soda crystals- green packet about 70p from the supermarket and it seems to have solved the problem - before the clothes were rank and sour smelling- now they are fine. the soda crystals are also great for keeping whites white btw so i now throw in a small amount with the washing. good luck am sure someone will come up with a solution

smileitconfusespeople_2

tel20 wrote: »

Vinegar half a cup

Sorry to sound really thick but what type of vinager?, at least once a week I do a very hot wash I think its a 90 degree wash def the hottest wash thanks

happierdaystocome

I use white vinegar but if there is no washing going in the machine malt should be fine.

smileitconfusespeople_2

Thankyou.........very much too all of you for your help

yellowbear

Hi everyone,
I put some soda crystals in the drawer and a good glug of white vinegar in the drum and ran the machine on a hot wash.
Now there's a really nasty stale water smell in the machine. It wasn't there before I 'cleaned' it. I've put it on a hot wash and also done a load of washing and it still smells. In fact the sheets came out smelling really manky.

Any ideas? Thanks.

tigerfeet2006

Is the u bend clean? Are any of the pipes blocked with gunk?

vl2588

Presumably the alkaline and acid will neutralise one another (to some extent anyway) so it might be best to use one or the other. No idea why they might make it smell though

Sublime_2

Try another flush on the hottest wash cycle you've got. Also leave the w/m door slightly ajar to alleviate smells.

silverfoxuk

Some ideas you may or may not have tried.......

1. Remove the dispenser drawer, immerse in warm soapy water and clean/rinse thoroughly
2. Whilst the dispenser drawer is out, clean out the 'hole' where the dispenser drawer came from as best you can. A dishwasher brush with some water/mild dishwasher liquid should do an ok job.
3. Remove the lint filter, remove any lint/hair/old sock or other blockages, immerse in mild soapy water, clean thoroughly & replace - step by step here:http://www.espares.co.uk/advice/washing-machines/a/7/44/cleaning-the-washing-machine-lint-filter.html
4. Do you use liquid detergent? If so, try changing to bio whites powder detergent or powder tablets (biological for whites/not colour). Bacteria can thrive in a washing machine that sees no bleach & mould might be what you are smelling. Biological for whites powder detergent contains bleach which will kill mould and will start breaking down any detergent residue. Liquid detergents don't contain bleach.
5. Put your machine through the hottest wash cycle you can (90) with some bio whites powder detergent or powder bleach eg the vanish pink pots
6. Run a cycle with this in the machine:http://www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/products/laundry-products/service-it-washing-machine-cleaner/
7. Start leaving the washing machine door ajar slightly after you remove your clothes to ensure the machine dries out between loads. Less chance for bacteria/mould to grow in a dry machine.
8. Keep running a monthly 90 degree cycle (or hottest wash your machine will do) no laundry but with some bio whites powder (or tablets). Or can use concentrated bleach powder like the Vanish pink pots.

Good luck!