Smell laundry still..! Water problem?

zudecke

Hi guys,

I am having a smell laundry problem.. I've cleaned my washing machine thoroughly inside and out and still have my laundry coming out stale-smelling!

Any ideas as to why and how to fix? I.e. is is water related? I live in a new build in central London and have found that the water here is irregularly hard. I was on holiday recently and the same soaps. shampoos, facial washes etc washed from my face a lot, lot less quickly abroad than here. I know it's a non-technical test, but the difference was huge. It almost feels strange washing in such hard water..!

Or just my/the buildings general plumbing?

Thanks,

Z

erdd2

Sounds like you may need a non return valve

zudecke

andrew-b wrote: »

Remove the drawer and clean out thoroughly together with the drawer recess. Clean out around the door rubbers if you haven't already. Remove the filter, clean, refit. Run a service wash..90c empty full wash cycle with biological washing powder in the drawer. Others here recommend soda crystal but the biological powder works for us.
It's likely due to washing with liquid detergents at low temperatures (30/40c).
Hard water won't make it smell but will mean you have to add more powder/liquid than in softer water areas.

Thanks for your recommendation, but I'd like to reiterate - I have thoroughly cleaned my machine, using service washes with detergent, white vinegar and soda crystals. None of these things have worked.

erdd2 wrote: »

Sounds like you may need a non return valve

Can you embellish a little?

abankerbutnotafatcat

andrew-b, where is the filter?

abankerbutnotafatcat

andrew-b wrote: »

usually behind a small door that flips down at the front of the appliance near to the bottom. If not consult the instruction manual. Hold a dustpan underneath to catch water, untwist anti-clockwise by hand (or if it's a bit tight use a screwdriver on the central screw), pull out, clean, push back in, twist clockwise to tighten.

Thank you. We have the same problem occasionally and do use liquid detergents and 30/40c washes. I shall give this a go (didn't know it existed until you mentioned it!!)

zudecke

andrew-b wrote: »

ok your post read like you'd just wiped it around inside. Did the water definitely heat up...the door should feel hot. Have you removed the filter and cleaned out. Then where does the waste feed into? It might be not draining properly and need the waste trap cleaned out.

Yes, I've thoroughly cleaned my machine inside and out on so many occasions. It's spotless and yes that includes the lint filter and area.


What is a waste trap? It feels as though it could be a plumbing issue.

Could it be related to the hardness of the water by any chance?

zudecke

anyone???????

drusilla

I have had the same problem. First I cleaned all the filters etc. The thing that seems to have solved it is going back to powder detergents and washing at 60 degrees at least. I have also done a few really hot washes.

You could also try leaving the door open to let it air. Probably a bit obvious but take the wet washing out as soon as possible.

Good luck. It was driving me mad too.

savingmummy

It is very common and i don`t think it is a plumbing problem. If its not improved or still like it then maybe worth getting it checked!

Sounds like you have done what is normally advised - cleaning!
I normally pull the drawer out and find a lot of `gunk` in the pipe that runs from under the drawer to the machine, i normally clean this out and flush it through with hot water and it works.

Do you put your soap powder in the drawer? i put mine in the machine itself as i find no smells occur. When i use the drawer i get bad smells.

Washing machines can cause smells over long useage and most commmonly it is a pipe or a clog of powder/dirt thats built up.
It can also be from the door rubber aswell.

Leaving the door open after a wash is a must as this stops the door rubber becoming mouldy and stops the drum itself smelling!