Clothes smell after a wash

wazza2004

Got a washing machine which is roughly 14 years old and live in a hard water area. Washes are done on 30° cycle. Sometimes one or two clothes will stink after a wash. It's a foul strong odour. Any idea the cause and how to get rid of it? Is there a washing machine cleaner that will remove the cause of the smell? The only ones I can find are the ones to be used with normal laundry.

elsien

Do you stick your washing machine on a really hot wash to give it a good clean once in a while? If not, then that's probably your problem.
All filters checked and cleaned out?

wazza2004

The label says 30° wash. Filters etc are clear and clean. Soap dispenser tray is clean. No mould etc.

MovingForwards

Do you ever do a hot empty wash (nothing in the machine) with washing powder / liquid?

wazza2004

No. Have read something about using baking soda.

FreeBear

Had the same problem with my old washing machine - Put a cup of thick bleach in the dispenser and did a hot programme without anything in the drum. Replaced the icky smell with one of a hint of bleach. Eventually replaced the machine with a new one.

Fire_Fox

Have you read the user manual? Regular maintenance is usually recommended (service wash/ descaler/ empty filters/ clean seals/ clean drawer and its cubby).

Washing machine descaler is acidic: sachets of crystals are cheap at discounters (Home Bargains/ B&M). If all the maintenance including descaler is not enough you can get branded washing machine cleaner at Wilko or supermarkets.

Please do not DIY chemicals, they may be ineffective or damage the machine (eg. seals).

If after all of that the washing machine does not smell but certain items of clothing do smell, that is body bacteria surviving the wash cycle. Hot wash them OR soak in a dilute solution of thin bleach OR spray with or soak in a dilute solution of white vinegar. Three choices to suit different fabrics.

[Deleted User]

Air the clothes after they've been dried just incase there are damp spots present.
When the article is folded and put away that damp spot can smell revolting when it's then taken out of a cupboard/drawer and worn.

Mr_Singleton

wazza2004 wrote: »

Got a washing machine which is roughly 14 years old

A 14 year old washing machine is going to be horrendously inefficient in terms of water and electric usage. Might it not be worth recycling it and buying a modern one? Might even end up paying a large chunk of its cost through using substantially less water and expensive electric.
Just a thought!

Aylesbury_Duck

After 14 years of low temperature washing in a hard water area, I fear the machine is beyond "refreshing" because the build-up of calcified sludge is probably unshift-able without actually taking it apart and if you did get a chemical to break it down, the dislodged gunk would probably end up blocking something. The machine I inherited with my house was full of it when I took it apart to make the trip to the tip easier after it failed, all the hoses were partially blocked. As others have said, if/when you get a new machine, run the occasional hot wash through the machine with some soda crystals (£1 a bag at Wilko). I add a tablespoon of soda crystals to every wash as well.

couriervanman

90 degree wash with a slug of white vinegar