Cleaning a washing machine

jimmo

This video may be of use.
http://www.espares.co.uk/advice/washing-machines/a/7/1182/smelly-washing-machine.html

kajstring24

I've only just found this, so sorry for resurrecting an old thread!

We have a damp smell coming from our washing machine now. It doesn't make the clothes smell, but I know we need to get it cleaned. Will using white vinegar clear the smell as well? Do I literally just use it along side washing powder once in a while? And at what temperature?

Thanks for the helpful tips!

Tiger_greeneyes

During the last few weeks, every time I take something (recently washed, dried and put away) out of the wardrobe or cupboard to wear, I can smell damp dog. It's fine when I take the clothes from the machine at first, the smell only appears when the clothes are dry. The smell is getting much stronger. Both hubby and I notice how strong this is becoming so it's not just me being OCD about laundry smelling ultra fresh.

It's occurred to me that it may well be the machine - it's around 12 years old. Other than the smell, it works fine and I can't afford to replace it. I wondered if it might be the detergent/fabric conditioner I was using but now I'm using maximum detergent (Persil), maximum fabric conditioner (Lenor) and never use a setting below 30 degrees, I'm still getting the smell.

I've just stuck my head right inside the washing machine and there's a bit of a sweaty type of smell, even though I washed some sheets (freshened them up on a regular wash cycle with detergent & conditioner, they were only used one or two nights by guests). I removed the drawer and there's definitely no problem with that or the pipe running from it. In fact it smells just like the laundry product adverts look on tv!

On reading the thread, I'm guessing the best thing for me to do is to run the machine with bleach in it. I only have the thick bleach - how much would I need to use, where do I put it (drum/detergent drawer/fabric conditioner drawer) and how hot should I run it? I'm so sorry if this has been covered, I just can't find the particular answers I'm looking for.

Roboz

Hi all,

I've read through this entire thread and not found any mention of this problem, so will see if anyone can help ...

I've have a problem with small brown flakes that come out on my whites ... these are small flecks that look like very fine brown paper or leaf material and are very hard to get off as they just disintergrate when I touch them. I usually have to re-wash the whole load.

Not sure if they appear on my coloureds as I can't see them (or forget to look because I can't see them) ... but VERY noticeable on whites.

Does anyone know what causes this ?

Irregular (when I remember) descaling doesn't seem to help.

I've just gone natural (last month or so) ... using small amount of dish soap + borax + washing soda (recipe found on Pinterest) instead of store-bought detergent and am finishing off the last half bottle of fabric softener, then won't be buying any more of that either.

I'm running a hot wash now, as we speak, with a store-bought descaler, but they haven't seemed to work in the past.

My machine has 2 x lint filters that clip into the top of the drum inside, that I clean out every 2 loads or so (whenever it needs it) - don't know about the filter at the bottom of the machine that I've read about here - don't think I have one of those, as there's no little trap door that I can see. I have an LG toploader that would probably be about 8 or 9 years old now. Its an LG Fuzzy Logic WF-T853 (if that's means anything to anyone).

Would it help too, to let the machine sit and soak full of hot water with descaler in it for a length of time? Or doesn't it matter?

Any help appreciated. Thanks
Robyn
Australia

Cara_xx

Roboz wrote: »

I've have a problem with small brown flakes that come out on my whites ... these are small flecks that look like very fine brown paper or leaf material and are very hard to get off as they just disintergrate when I touch them. I usually have to re-wash the whole load.

I would also be interested in an answer to this as it happens to my whites too - mine are more like small grey flakes though, and I assume maybe its a build-up of fabric softener/gunk?

pcd5150

Just thought i'd clear up a bit of confusion i've read over the caustic soda / vinegar issue

The caustic soda is alkaline and this reacts with any fats/gunk .To form a soap (yes really! alkaline+fat=soap ) which is water soluble and gets flushed away.
Limescale will not be touched by this AFAIK.It requires an acid to react with the Ca CO3 calcium carbonate .In the case of Acetic Acid (vinegar) you get Calcium Acetate which is soluble plus Carbon dioxide (OMG we're adding to global warming !!!!!:o) plus Water. The brown in vinegar is irrelevant except if youve got clothes and avoid chip shop vinegar as this has carmel added which will stain badly(unless you like sepia whites !)

Also DON'T put the two together caustic soda would react with vinegar neutralising the effect of both giving the salt Sodium acetate which is neither alkaine nor acid .

Another option is to buy a box of citric acid ...spose you could use real lemon juice but that might be a bit expensive.

Also the hotter the machine the quicker the reaction .

So there you go .

Hope this helps

Trust me i'm a scientist .:cool:

melissavestre

why not getting a new one?

we had a Panasonic washing machine and recently replaced it with a NA-140VX3. I guess if you want a washing machine for your own use then you will get one of the best one but if you are a landlord, you will go for a cheap one...

julietiff

As said above any ides please?.

bossymoo

Hot wash and capful of bleach, or white vinegar, or soda crystals. Do you have especially hard water?

If its whiffy you ay want to clear out the filter and wipe around the rubber seals too.

Honey_Bear

Automatic clothes washing machine? Dishwasher? Maid with constipation? Husband with a flannel and a dirty mind?