Is this a fungus inside my pillowcases?

[yellowtomato]

Hoping some knowledgeable mumsnetter can help me. Washed sheets at 60 and hanging on the line find this inside both pillowcases. It comes off if I rub and has a paste like consistency. What could it be? A mould or fungus? And what could have caused it? Picture attached. Please help me!

[Tuiles]

Looks like your washing machine needs a service wash. It's old soap residue and gunk that gets trapped in the machine. Surprised at quite how much of it is in the pic.

Service wash is hottest longest wash you can with nothing in the machine and using soda crystals or a washing machine cleaner. Also clean the dispensing drawer in a dishwasher and spray bleach solution in/ scrub with a toothbrush. Also check your filter and wipe the inside of the door seals.

[yellowtomato]

Thank you, the washing machine is only 2 months old, how regularly do you need to do these things as I never have....

[Tuiles]

I think advice is monthly, but I probably do mine about 3 times a year. Very surprised you could get that much build up in a new machine though!

[yellowtomato]

It's a washer and dryer maybe that makes a difference? Really yucky in any case. Appreciate the advice

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Looks like mildew to me.

I'd chuck and start again if it doesn't come out.

Yes, service wash will help and don't leave washing drying too long, or wet washing in a basket or in machine too long.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Sorry, you said it comes off in your OP- service wash asap, and you might need to do a few. Also clean around the seal.

[TheSpottedZebra]

Filthy washing machine threads are like catnip to me

Right - are you using liquid or powder to wash?
Fabric softener?
What temps do you wash at?

Are any of you using lots of emollients eg due to eczema?

[seven201]

Could it just be the fluff from the dryer that's joined with bits of soap scum?

[LucyLocketLostHerPocket]

Looks like mildew to me too. Any chance you could have washed and put away while a tiny bit damp?

[ijustwannadance]

If it wipes off fabric it won't be mould. As pp said, it's just the soap scum etc from inside machine.

After you dry clothes in machine give the door and rubber a wipe to remove the fluff left behind and check fluff filter regularly if you have one.

If using liquid detergent, I found it helped massively using the ball things that go in drum rather than pouring into drawer with ends up manky. Use correct dose too.

[yellowtomato]

Thank you everyone. I tend to use non-biological powder and water softener. No excema or skin creams. Sounds very much that a filter clean, door clean, service wash etc are all in order. My drawer is very clean as that is the one thing I do clean regularly.

[PigletJohn]

Wasahing Soda Crystals (in a blue or green plastic bag, in the laundry aisle) are good for removing soap deposits. They soften the water so you need less soap as well. The soda also helps to remove grease deposits, e.g. from bath oils or skin creams.

If you do your hottest service wash, no clothes or powder, empty, with a cup of soda, see if the water foams up and goes grey. If so it is the old soap sludge dissolving. Do it again until it stays clean.

Check the packets and make sure you are not being generous with the soap or fabsoft, as excess will lead to residue.

Residue seems to be more of a problem if you do lots of cool washes, as the soap doesn't dissolve so well. If you do a hot cotton wash of towels with soda once a week, that will keep the residue down. You will probably find you don't need to add powder for that. White towels and flannels are good for that as they will come out whiter and softer, and there is no problem of fading or shrinking with white towels.

[yellowtomato]

I always use those soda crystals with every wash and usually wash at 40 with the sheets at 60 once a week. Maybe using too much washing powder. I will try an empty hot wash and clean filters as that also seems to be important.
Thank you everyone for the advice, really didn't know what to do when I saw that this morning, then I thought of MN!

[P1nkP0ppy]

I think it's just using too much washing powder so it doesn't all dissolve especially if it ends up inside clothing etc.
Does it smell like your washing powder?

[GrubbyWindows]

I think it's either dead skin balled up (yuck!) or much more likely fluff from the dryer part of washer-dryering.
I have to really carefully wipe down all the rubbery parts after every dry, and my machine has a defluffing programme I run too, before dark washes (you still have to wipe wipe wipe though). Washer dryers are so tedious!!!!