Ewww my washing machine STINKS :(

Paula_Smith

At the same time we stopped using the manufacturers recommended doses of washing liquid, to about half. The clothes are still clean and we are saving a fair bit of cash and feeling environmentally better than we were.

Honey_Bear

spanishlivinginUK wrote: »

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!

When I posted my reply to this OP's question, I gave the best information I had gathered over the years, but I have to say, I think this reply is the most sensible answer anyone anywhere has come up with. It makes complete sense.

I used to be able to put a load on overnight and peg it out in the morning, but I can't do that any more with my current machine because it makes the washing and the machine smell disgusting. Before I do the next load tomorrow, I'll be shoving two pints of vinegar through it. Thank you so much for posting SpanishLivinginUK.

JIL

If you find out the make and model of your machine and Google it, you get lots of information of how to clean it as well as how to find the filters.

flopsy59

my washer always has a dirty water smell when you open the door . i have tried cleaning it and doing a bleach in washer and washing on the hottest wash and still got smell. any advice please

bambos

flopsy59 wrote: »

my washer always has a dirty water smell when you open the door . i have tried cleaning it and doing a bleach in washer and washing on the hottest wash and still got smell. any advice please

Have you tried cleaning the filter out. When I did mine I found £5 in coins, a Barbie shoe, lolly stick, lego brick :eek:

Run it through on a 90 wash with a cup of white vinegar, try to leave the door open when you can........although I did this yesterday & I found my children had made it into a den for Barbie & teddy :eek: won't be leaving it open anymore!

xmillyx

My mum puts in used lemon halves, for a couple of washes on the top drawer. Then the washer smells lovely and lemony

vodkachick68

I put soda crystals in the washing powder compartment and put machine on a 90 degree wash. Works every time for me!

Bluebell68

mine has gone to smell also
I have run it empty hot wash 90 with soda crystals and bleach
great for few hours
we have pulled it out checked the pipe nothing
cleaned filter their was 70p in there put back together wash again

I have cleaned draw out washed an dried the seal still smells????
only started last couple of months anyone got any ideas what I can do now
please

robbiewilliams

What detergent do you use?

paigesaunt

I'm having the same problem at the moment, tried all the above, soda, bleach, empty on 90 degree wash, still smells! Haven't tried lemons yet or a washing machine cleaner, will try those next