Ewww my washing machine STINKS :(

ska_lover

Hi Torbex, No I am afraid I havent checked any filters etc, have no idea how to do that - or even how to access the filters - eeek

I see that there is a kick strip at the bottom of the washer - and there is a circular cap inlet if I turn the cap on that, water leaks out - but I only dared to open that a teeny bit - should I be looking in there

I shall wait for someone with a bit of sense to advice before I go opening it as I am a bit nervous, sorry guys

culpepper

Yes that has a filter trap thing in usually. It can be a bit messy if it has a blockage because water will come out when you undo it so you might need to protect your floors. Ours comes right out and then you can clear any gunge that has collected and screw the trap back in.

ska_lover

culpepper wrote: »

Yes that has a filter trap thing in usually. It can be a bit messy if it has a blockage because water will come out when you undo it so you might need to protect your floors. Ours comes right out and then you can clear any gunge that has collected and screw the trap back in.

ahh brilliant thanks so much, I am going to give that a whirl right now

Nothing worse than a load of lovely washing coming out smelling worse than when it went in,

torbrex

That little bit of leakage is quite normal, especially if the filter is clogged, that is the main drain filter and should really be checked regularly.
Just put a towel on the floor underneath it and unscrew slowly, I actually have a tray that fits under the machine to catch any drips.

Honey_Bear

After you've cleared the filter (I put a biscuit tin lid under it when I take ours out, and that catches most of the water) remove the powder dispenser, soak it and then give it a good scrub - and you won't need any soap to do that. Rinse it thoroughly and put it back in the machine.

Put bleach in all three compartments - about half a cup should be enough in each. Switch the spin speed to zero and then run the machine on the longest hotest wash you can, probably 95 degrees and make sure it runs on all programmes - prewash, wash and rinse. If you do it on a short wash, or anything less than the closest you can get to a boil wash, you're wasting your time and electricity.

Nowadays people generally wash at cooler temperatures and the build of up gunge is what's causing the smell. It happens to most of us, eventually, which is why you're absolutely right - this question has been asked before.

And you don't need a man to deal with this - you're dealing with it just fine by using the internet and asking questions here.

ska_lover

Thank you so much both - I was getting really worried there. I cant believe I have got to nearly 40 years of age and never removed a washing machine filter before! I have been meaning to sort this out for nearly a week now, but just kept thinking I would look into it on my first day off work

I got ours out and it wasn't a pretty sight, and I found a 1pence coin in there - eek!

It is now on the hottest longest wash with bleach and hopefully that will sort the job

Really appreciate your advice everyone thank you

Auntie_Sceb

I find a cap full of dettol in the wash tray on the hottest wash helps and do a regular hottest wash to prevent it happening again. As previous poster said we rarely do hot washes so scum builds up. Wipe around the rubber seal around door with dettol (or bleach) as lots of mild dew builds up there.

jetplane

I'm over 50 and didnt know washing machines had filters :eek: However my husband informs me that he has to clean ours and he also checks the draining pipes for kinks and blockages as it is the stagnant water that makes the machine smell, apparantly
He too finds a little money and a lot of muck.

spanishlivinginUK

The best way to clean the inside of the machine is to pour 2 pints of white vinegar on the hottest wash.
Bleach will kill bacteria, but not remove the porous surface build up where it grows, and the smell will come back.
I follow this steps every 6 months and my machine has never smelt.

-Clean filter and areas around the door seal
-Clean detergent dispenser, remove it and wipe inside area.
-Select hottest wash and then pour 2 pints of distilled vinegar.

The vinegar will dissolve the limescale building up inside, you can actually see the water getting murkier and murkier as the wash goes on..... Yuck!


I also never close the washing machine door when it is not in use, and leave the dispenser open just a bit to let air flow and avoid mould inside.

This is what my mum has taught me and her washing machine is over 20 years old!
I also use vinegar to descale the kettle! Works a treat!

Paula_Smith

We had the same problem - it was caused by a build up of gunky fabric conditioner under the drawer where you put it in. We removed the drawer and had a clean up and read in a couple of places on the internet (cant remember where) that you could use white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner. SO we have been doing that ever since - our clothes smell fine and are nice and soft plus it is much cheaper than fabric conditioner.