The drum of My Washing Machine Smells!

donnap83

Can someone please help me. It smells kind of like stagnant water/musty, and sometimes the washing comes out smelling.

I've tried using soda crystals on an empty cycle, and if anything, the smell has got worse?!

There is water trapped in the rubber seal thing, which i mop up with whatever is going into the machine, but still the smell persists.

Can someone suggest what to do??

Tesco_points_addict

donnap83 wrote: »

Can someone please help me. It smells kind of like stagnant water/musty, and sometimes the washing comes out smelling.

I've tried using soda crystals on an empty cycle, and if anything, the smell has got worse?!

There is water trapped in the rubber seal thing, which i mop up with whatever is going into the machine, but still the smell persists.

Can someone suggest what to do??

Sorry I cannot help..but, I too, would love to know the answer to this! My mothers machine stinks, ours doesn't...I have no idea why, the only real difference is ours is kept in the garage.

TPAx

donnap83

The strange thing is, that the washer we have, is the same as my mums. Hers doesn't smell though.

I saw in Asda a box of washing machine cleaner, so might try that. Or i might give bleach a go?!?!

SpendlessKaren

Have you tried running it empty on a hot wash ? I read somewhere that because most people nowadays run the washing machine on low temp cycles that odours/bacteria etc can build up so to give it a hot wash now and then to clean it.

Hope that helps

wantnomoneyworries

Hi Have a look at these threads they helped me when my w/m was smelly and they work cos it doesn't now!!:T:T

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3364900
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/468773

mummalove

What make is it out of interest? I ask, as we have a hotpoint with exactly the same issues...it is approx 5 years old now and after 2 years of having it, the rubber seal thingy even had black mould on it urgh! :eek:

We had the machine insured and after much quibbling, the insurance company, replaced it. The engineer said it could be a number of things...like powder building up, condensation left in the drum...advised us to use their special crystals to clear it through and to do regular hot washes.

3 years later, we do still get the odd musty and slightly stagnent smell, but thankfully no mould on the new seal. I continually wipe round the seal after every wash and leave the door open until it appears to have dried out. Hot 90 degree washes with towels once a week too.

In all my 20 odd years of owning washing machines, I have never had this trouble until this model. Weird. But I definitely won't be buying hotpoint again....(even though I have friends and family with the same brand with no issues).

Hope you get yours sorted...

Waffle_On

My washing machine was starting to get a bit whiffy, and also the drawer had black mould. I gave that a thorough clean and soaked it in bleach. Then I ran the machine on its hottest cycle with a good glug of bleach in the drawer.

All smells are now gone and the drawer looks like new!

santer_2

" To get rid of stubborn washing machine smells that remain even after one or two service washes, try pouring a cup full of distilled white vinegar into the soap dispenser drawer while it is filling up on a hot wash. Don't put any washing in, just let the machine go through the full cycle. Repeat if necessary. This is a well known tip, distilled white vinegar has some amazing properties. "

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/usage_2.html#cl_q1

donnap83

mummalove wrote: »

What make is it out of interest? I ask, as we have a hotpoint with exactly the same issues...it is approx 5 years old now and after 2 years of having it, the rubber seal thingy even had black mould on it urgh! :eek:

We had the machine insured and after much quibbling, the insurance company, replaced it. The engineer said it could be a number of things...like powder building up, condensation left in the drum...advised us to use their special crystals to clear it through and to do regular hot washes.

3 years later, we do still get the odd musty and slightly stagnent smell, but thankfully no mould on the new seal. I continually wipe round the seal after every wash and leave the door open until it appears to have dried out. Hot 90 degree washes with towels once a week too.

In all my 20 odd years of owning washing machines, I have never had this trouble until this model. Weird. But I definitely won't be buying hotpoint again....(even though I have friends and family with the same brand with no issues).

Hope you get yours sorted...

It's Indicit. I wonder if its the rubber seal that causing the smell. If it is, will I have to get rid of the machine to stop the smell? Or can you just replace the rubber seal?

vijay9

I had a similar smelly issue with mine after I did a DIY job and replaced the rubber seal. It transpired that I fitted the rubber seal upside down!

Water kept collecting at the bottom of the rubber seal, which was causing the smell. After looking at the rubber seal, I discovered the seal had a small drainage hole in it which should have been at the bottom of the seal (but I incorrectly fitted it with the drainage hole at the top) - Having the hole at the bottom of the seal would enable the water to drain out, thus stopping the collection of water that was smelly.

I removed the seal, and replaced it with the drainage hole at the bottom. The problem has now been solved.

I wonder if those of you experiencing these issues have had the rubber seal changed and fitted incorrectly in the past?

moneysaver

If you are using liquid change to washing powder & after a few weeks the smell will be gone.




Moneysaver