Washing machine woes

gemmylou86

Hi all, looking for a bit of advice. I've already searched on here and tried most of the tips to no avail.

I have a beko washing machine, just over 1 year old. My problem is, it doesn't matter what setting I use, what combination of detergents/vinegar/hot wash with bleach... Every couple if washes my laundry comes out smelling a bit iffy! Sometimes it just smells of nothing, and other times it smells almost mildew-y! Clothes seem to look clean enough but if I'm using detergent and fabric softener
I'm expecting fresh smelling laundry. I clean the draw and filter regularly, wipe down seals, leave door open. Every week or so
I use the hottest wash and run bleach or vinegar through it.

It might seem like I'm being picky, if the clothes are clean - but I live in a flat so always have clothes on an airer in the front room and if it smells dodgy my whole flat reeks.

Just a bit of background info, I use non bio and sensitive fabric softener (I have 2 dds under 2years) and I switch between powder and liquid depending on what's on offer.

Maybe I'm missing a trick, hope someone has a suggestion.
Tia

Gem

Runnerduck

i add a capful of zoflora into the middle hole in the tray when i'm doing the bedding which leaves it smelling lovely, mines a beko washer too

gemmylou86

Maybe I'm being dim, but what's zoflora? Thanks

ScarletRibbons

Zoflora is a concentrated disinfectant, there is a wide variety of different fragrances. It is available in supermarkets, and places like Wilkinsons and Savers.

mioliere

I know a washing machine repair man who said that liquid detergent is the prime reason for smelly washing machines, and that he would only recommend powder. Consequently, powder is all I have ever used and I have never had a smelly machine. I know the smell you mean because a friend of mine had that problem until she started using powder all the time.

gemmylou86

Thank you for the comments
I shall definitely have a look for some zoflora, sounds handy to have!

Hmm I may start using powder exclusively then. The problem I had with old machine was that as I mostly wash at 30 degrees, it didn't seem to dissolve properly. Because of that I tend to only use powder for the baby's things (I wash at 40, occasionally 60) with no problems.

Are there any non bio powders that anyone could recommend that dissolve better/quicker at lower temps?

Thanks all

Owain_Moneysaver

The problem may be that your new eco-friendly machine simply isn't using enough water to wash and rinse properly

http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/why-cant-modern-washing-machines-rinse-properly/

Adding more water during the wash and rinse cycles through the powder drawer, and doing a Hot Whites wash every few weeks with powder detergent seem to resolve many problems - but you may need to add extra water to the bleachy 'cleaning wash' to actually clean out the whole drum.

gemmylou86

Owain, thank you - never even occurred to me! I'll check that link out now

Alnwicklass

Hi Gemmylou

If possible, it might be helpful to run a normal wash about once a week using a biological powder detergent on something you aren't going to wear or use next to your skin too much (like tea towels, dusters or bath mats). The bio powder has enzymes and bleaches in that might also help to break down some of the deposits in the pipes that you can't get at and that don't get shifted so well by non bio products.
Then you can go back to doing your family wash with your usual non-bio detergents.

whitegoods_engineer

Alnwicklass wrote: »

Hi Gemmylou

If possible, it might be helpful to run a normal wash about once a week using a biological powder detergent on something you aren't going to wear or use next to your skin too much (like tea towels, dusters or bath mats). The bio powder has enzymes and bleaches in that might also help to break down some of the deposits in the pipes that you can't get at and that don't get shifted so well by non bio products.
Then you can go back to doing your family wash with your usual non-bio detergents.

Bio powders don't have bleaches.

Most smells come from slime and bacteria which don't get removed on cool washes.

Do a 'maintenance wash' every couple of weeks using a proprietory washing machine cleaner on a 95 degree (long) wash (no prewash) and this will clean all of the bits behind the door seal, sump rubbers and other parts you can't see.

Modern cool washes contribute to smells, bacteria and door seal mould which was never a problem years ago when people routinely used hot washes.

notanewuser

You should leave the door open after EVERY wash.

Ditch the fabric softener - it's not needed. It's just something else for mould to feed off.

Switch 30 degree washes for 40.