Ewww my washing machine STINKS :(

Zziggi

Hello everyone,

I'd be grateful for some suggestions as to how to get my washing machine smelling nice. It's rather wiffy and nothing I've tried so far has sorted the problem. The machine is about 7 years old, used regularly for a family of 5.

What I've tried so far:

- removing powder dispenser drawer, washing thoroughly and cleaning area in machine where the drawer lives.

- running the machine on its hotest washing but empty.

- cleaning round the rubber seal in the door (it is stained a bit mouldy underneath). Scrubbed mould under rubber seal as best I can.

- always wipe round machine & door seal after use to dry it out.

- bought Dr. Oetker cleaning product and used it in an empty wash cycle but this had no lasting effect

- done an empty hot wash cycle with bleach, white vinegar but there's been no lasting improvement.

Can anyone suggest anything that might help please? The machine works fine except for the wiff. If leave the clothes in the machine for a short while after the cycle had finished then the clothes get the mould aroma.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Smoosh

No advice, but I'm having the same problem, so I'll be watching this thread! We've tried everything suggested as well. Our home is rented and the washing machine came with it, we do actually have our own washing machine that's currently being stored at my OH's dad's house, so we're even contemplating asking to put that in because I'm fed up of the washing coming out smelling disgusting!

-taff

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/fix-it-yourself/cleaning-maintenance/2657-smelly-washing-machines.html

mummyroysof3

Our dishwasher gets the same smell as the washer sometimes so I suspect its an issue with the pipes rather than an appliance in our case. I have done all the things you have but I try to run both at he same time occasionally so the pipes get a good flush through

seabright

Does the smell come from a particular area of the machine, the drum or the drawer, for example?

I always leave the door open and the drawer out when the machine isn't in use, to be sure it dries properly.

I use the cleaner that Lakeland sells, and that works for me. I also use less washing liquid and no fabric conditioner, so there is less stuff going into the machine to get stuck in the pipes. We are on private drainage here and had to have the drains cleared a while ago. The drain-man recommended using liquid, not powder, as the powder doesn't always dissolve properly at low temperatures, so clogs pipes and drain and caused blockages and smells.

k66yla

Have you cleaned the filter out? My old washing machine had the same problem and most of the smell disappeared after the filter was emptied and cleaned.

Abbafan1972

My machine was starting to get a musty smell. So I bought a bag of Soda crystals (you can get them from Supermarkets) and put some inside the drum and inside the soap dispenser and ran the machine on an empty wash. It did help with the smell and it's also handy for when washing certain things, such as my bath mats and shower curtain.

I know it's probably common sense, but also make sure you don't leave wet washing inside the machine after it's finished and leave the door open after you've emptied it, to let it dry out.

Cleaning the filter might help as well, as the other poster mentioned.

pollys

After running the machine on empty (with some vinegar thrown in) at a high temperature my machine always smells. It's because all the gunk has been disturbed. It needs to be repeated to ensure the pipes are really clean. The smell does go after awhile, just leave the door open.

HTH

Pollys

Pink.

Hi Zziggi,

I've added your thread to our existing one on cleaning a smelly washing machine where you should find lots of hints and tips.

Pink

Abbafan1972

Reading this thread reminded me that I should clean my machines filter and it was rank, eww!