Very stinky washing machine 😨

[Bottomchops]

My washing machine was pretty grim so I've scrubbed all the seals, the drawer, done 3 90 degree washes, 2 with white wine vinegar. It's worse than ever. I've left it all open to dry. What next? I'm desperate to do a wash: will my clothes come out smelling like the machine?

[wowfudge]

You need to do a service wash - the smell is coming from within the machine. Get some soda crystals - they are cheap from any supermarket or pound shop which sells cleaning materials. Put some soda crystals in the drawer and run the machine on its hottest, longest programme. You may have to repeat this process of it is really bad.

Do you use liquid detergent or liquitabs? If so stop and use powder instead as the bleaching agents in powder help keep your machine clean.

[Bottomchops]

Thanks. Just purchased soda crystals! I use whatever detergent is on offer. Fingers crossed then!! It's stinking my kitchen out!

[DrDreReturns]

A tip that stopped my machine smelling - if the machine's waste pipe goes into the down pipe from a sink make sure that the washing machine waste pipe is snaked so it is higher than the bottom of the sink, if possible. This stops dirty water from the sink going down the washing machine's waste pipe, when we did it we didn't have bad smells in our machine any more.
I can second washing with soda crystals on a hot cycle.

[Bottomchops]

Thank you. Can I use these crystals in my dishwasher too?

[wowfudge]

If your dishwasher has the same issue it might be to do with where it and the washing machine are draining as a pp suggested. Stick some soda crystals and boiling water down your kitchen sink.

[Bottomchops]

No, it was more a maintenance thing so I didn't end up with the same problem! Just wondered if it was safe?

[Bloopbleep]

If you use liquid soap instead of power apparently this can make the smell worse. I had this and my clothes came out really stinky. I used bicarbonate of soda only, in an empty hot wash and changed back to powder and it's all stopped.

[Bottomchops]

I was using loads of conditioner which I've now completely stopped. I have been using liquid the past few months, so will go back to powder.

[misscph1973]

Have you cleaned the filter? Could be wet fluff stuck there that's causing the smell,

Try running a hot cycle with dishwasher detergent, it gets rid of everything.

[Fomalhaut]

It needs to be white vinegar , not white winevinegar.

[Bottomchops]

Omg I used white wine vinegar! . The smell is probably from the 5 years of mould that I scraped off the seals

[Bottomchops]

Since I scrubbed it all off the smell has come in!

[wowfudge]

Vinegar is vinegar - it doesn't matter what you use, except that white wine vinegar is more expensive than distilled vinegar.

[Bottomchops]

Online it said clear vinegar. I bought a cheap one! Don't think the crystals have worked. Will do another one tomorrow.

[wowfudge]

It may take a few of these very hot washes to clear everything. When it has filled up with water, what colour is that water and is there any foam?

[Bottomchops]

I can't see the water colour, but yesterday it looked incredibly foamy/bubbly considering it just had vinegar in there on 90. Does that mean it's horrendously bad?? I moved out of home 20 years ago and have never had these problems!!

[HopeClearwater]

Do you leave the door open when it's not in use?

[JinkxMonsoon]

I find whenever I do a 90 wash to clean out the pipes, it ALWAYS smells way worse. I take it as a sign that the gunk is shifting. I usually do a couple more, until the smell dissipates.

[misscph1973]

When you do a service wash, it is quite commoon that it's soapy even if you didn't add any detergent. It's built up soap that's coming loose. have you checked the rubber seal ring? It can hide a lot of gunk ;)

[Sunflower6]

I had this problem have just used Dr Beckham service it deep clean washing machine cleaner from sainsburys - seems to have worked!

[roseteapot101]

i use milton sterilising tablets just a few on a hot wash then a plain wash after always does the trick

[torthecatlady]

Following with interest!!! Had a secondhand washing machine given to us and it reeks. I always keep the door open. Definitely going to buy some soda crystals!!

[Bottomchops]

Thanks everyone. Another hot crystal wash currently on. I did find a hidden rubber seal which had become disgusting. I scrubbed it all with a toothbrush. I've got some Milton tablets; I'll use those when the crystals run out. I can't afford a new machine!

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

It might take a good few washes better the stink goes!

[goingtotown]

Repair man told me that a few dishwasher tablets & a hot wash is the best cleaner.