Clothes smell after a wash

calleyw

wazza2004 wrote: »

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

So never you wash towels or bedding on a higher temp 60/90? if not Ewwwwww that's gross. No wonder stuff smells its not getting clean proper.


The machine should ideally be run on 90 degree wash approx once a month with nothing in it using some soda crystals/vinegar.


But as mentioned by other posters after 14 years a little too late as it will be gunged up and be cheaper to buy a new machine.


Yours


Calley x

couriervanman

Bedding & towels on a 30 wash:eek:

stragglebod

couriervanman wrote: »

90 degree wash with a slug of white vinegar

This. And if you live in a hard water area add a bit of vinegar every now and then as a matter of course. It'll keep limescale in check and also acts as a mild disinfectant. And you won't be able to smell it on the clothes afterwards.

Jackmydad

FreeBear wrote: »

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.

Yup. We had one the same. Soft water down here, but old machine started to smell, and despite trying various things it never really cured the problem.
New machine.
TBH, these days I treat washing machines almost as consumables anyway. I can, and have fixed a lot of things myself in the past, but if they're out of warranty and are going to cost more than a few quid to repair, we simply get a new one.

wazza2004

First of all the washing machine never broke down once. True after 14 odd years the bearing are making a slight noise.

Secondly I go by what it says on the label. If the clothes says 30° and I wash it at 40° what will happen?

What is the best temp to wash towels and bed sheets in?

Debran

Just tip a cupful of vinegar (doesn't need to be white vinegar - cheapest you can find will do) into the drum. Set machine on the hottest wash.


Let us know if this cures the problem.


You ask about the temperature for washing towels/sheets. A minimum of sixty degrees is recommended. However, you can set your machine to wash at this temperature but there is no guarantee that it will be attained. A few years ago "Which?" did a test and found that a number of machines (not all) did not reach this figure whilst others only stayed at the temperature for about a minute or so. They should maintain the temperature for a few minutes for best results.

molerat

If you never run the machine at high temperatures all the body fats etc do not get dissolved and stick in the machine. Give the machine a couple of empty washes at the highest temperature you can.

getmore4less

The rules allow washers to vary the temperature to attain there eco busting A++++ ratings, as most of the energy use is heating water they just lower the temp.

The other efficiency trick is use less water and that is achieved by longer washer.

If you don't use the eco washes the savings on new machines are not as claimed.

wazza2004

Thanks for the advice. Will update you after I have tried some of the above advice

Norman_Castle

My washing machine is 18 years old and only used at 40 or 60 degrees. Never had a problem with 30 degree clothes at higher temperatures. Some fleeces used to smell after washing. The smell has gone since using white vinegar in the conditioner draw and oxygen bleach in the powder draw with every wash.