Washer/dryer leaves clothes with damp smell

Albermarle

Old big-box non-bio powder often contains bleaching agents that kill some germs, though whether enough to sterilise, I don’t know. 

Ideal for whites/light colours ( min 40 degrees ideally)  but best not to  used on coloured items, due to the bleach content.

pieroabcd

Do they smelly dampy as in mouldy?
In my case the washer drier used at high heat drying always a smell of burned-ish. Only using it at low heat leaves the clothes with almost no smell, even though in minimal part it's still there.
Anyway, washing machines use way too little water nowadays, therefore detergents can easily need more water to rinse.

Albermarle

Anyway, washing machines use way too little water nowadays, therefore detergents can easily need more water to rinse.

Although I suspect many people add more detergent than necessary.

MarriedtoFinn

Sorry, not saying this just to sound smug, but we have very little of this kind of problem as we have taken preventative measures.  At the end of EVERY wash, the machine is emptied, the door left wide open, and the soap drawer removed and tipped up in nearby sink to drain.  It's then not put back 'til machine is ready to be used again.  Everything dries off and is aired well.  Under the drawer in the machine casing is a place where mould could build up, but it's really kept at bay.  I'm happily assuming the pipes are also aired and free from mould build-up.  Simple to do and just avoids all nasty problems.
BTW, Used to go through microwave ovens like anything in the past as they always rusted through on the inside.  Now we just leave the door ajar/not clicked shut,  at all times except when in use, and no probs. as again, air circulates and keeps it dry inside.

Albermarle

Under the drawer in the machine casing is a place where mould could build up, but it's really kept at bay. 

That is only if you use the drawer for adding detergent, or fabric softener, Lenor etc.

If you just put the liquid in one if those little balls, or use capsules and add them straight to the drum, then no need to clean the drawer, or around it. 

Emmia

MarriedtoFinn said:

Sorry, not saying this just to sound smug, but we have very little of this kind of problem as we have taken preventative measures.  At the end of EVERY wash, the machine is emptied, the door left wide open, and the soap drawer removed and tipped up in nearby sink to drain.  It's then not put back 'til machine is ready to be used again.  Everything dries off and is aired well.  Under the drawer in the machine casing is a place where mould could build up, but it's really kept at bay.  I'm happily assuming the pipes are also aired and free from mould build-up.  Simple to do and just avoids all nasty problems.
BTW, Used to go through microwave ovens like anything in the past as they always rusted through on the inside.  Now we just leave the door ajar/not clicked shut,  at all times except when in use, and no probs. as again, air circulates and keeps it dry inside.

Of course that assumes you have space around your washer to leave the drawer out - personally I don't but I don't have an issue as I leave the door cracked open in between uses... Airing I think is key.

I don't use fabric softener - don't see what it adds / the need for it.

pieroabcd

You shouldn't mix detergent and fabric softener, though.
They have to be used separately, or they will combine and make a mess.