Help - my laundry stinks

[alphaechokiwi]

My dried clothes absolutely reek of vomit. I can't smell it when they are wet, but they stink when dry, especially once on. I'm assuming this is something to do with my washing machine. I think it developed after we returned from holidays. This is what I've tried to date:
An empty cycle at 90 degrees with bleach
An empty cycle at 90 degrees with washing soda
An empty cycle at 90 degrees with vinegar
An empty cycle at 90 degrees with sodium bicarbonate

I generally use boxed biological powder for laundry, with liquid for some dark colours, and a scoop of vanish for whites. I don't often use fabric conditioner. My machine is a Bosch combination washer dryer. We only use the dryer for sheets and towels.
Help help help! The smell is really strong... rewashing isn't even an option until I can eliminate whatever is causing this...
Any suggestions?

[gamerchick]

Take out the soap tray, clean it off and clean the roof of the drawer hole.

Take out and clean the filter at the bottom of the washer

Sling half a bag of Epsom salts straight into the drum with some towels. Never run a machine empty. Stick it on a 60 wash. Epsom salts sterilises the washer, it's especially good if there's staphylococcus in the house.

[gamerchick]

I'd also take off the middle attachment under the sink and give it a good wash just in case theres a blockage.

[criminallyinsane]

And always leave the door open when it's not in use. Why @gamerchick shouldn't you run a machine empty please?

[gretagreengrapes]

I am following this, as having a similar issue. All our laundry smells damp and fusty after washing.
I've washed twice on a 90 degree cycle, once with soda crystals once with a washing machine cleaner. The drawer had had a wash and the seal a wipe. The next plan is to take out the little hatch at the bottom and see if debris is stuck in there.
I sympathise, it's awful! We put clean bedding on and had to take it straight off due to the smell.

[alphaechokiwi]

Thanks both, I should have said, I have cleaned out the drawer with hot water and bleach (although I don't ever really use it - I put liquid /powder straight in the drum).
I'll try Epsom salts next - thanks

[CarrieBlu]

Dettol laundry cleanser is what you need.

[justgeton]

I'll second Dettol laundry cleanser. The only thing that gets rid of the disgusting smell of wet football kit and towels left to fester

[Cookerhood]

Mine specifically says to do the maintenance wash on empty (Miele)

[alphaechokiwi]

Nothing in the outlet filter. Dettol laundry cleanser added to my shopping list, thanks

[CarrieBlu]

The laundry cleanser works on every smell we’ve had issues with. My husband randomly had one pair of jeans that used to absolutely stink, now we wash them with laundry cleanser every time they go through and they smell fresh. Has also worked well on actual vomit, wee and poo smelling items that the DC have been ill on or had accidents on.

[NachoNachoMan]

Dry the clothes outside, if you can, if you need to wash before this is sorted. Fresh air should help get rid of the smell.

Also, have you cleaned the rubber seal? There might be something stuck in there

[Beagledbybeagle]

Do you use fabric conditioner because some of them contain animal fats and can congeal on the pipes.

[yumscrumfatbum]

How do you dry the washing? I only get smelly washing if things dry too slowly indoors. I rotate clothes on airers to get a good flow of air through them when I can't line dry.

[gamerchick]

@criminallyinsane

And always leave the door open when it's not in use. Why *@gamerchick* shouldn't you run a machine empty please?

The machine needs stuff in it to balance for the spin.

You don't have to take my word for it, ask Amy machine repair person.

[Cookerhood]

The OP says no fabric conditioner

[pickingdaisies]

You need to check the filter, usually there's a little hatch at the bottom of the front panel. I found a 20p piece in mine! They can be tricky to prise open. Be ready to catch the gush of water when you unscrew the stopper.
My machine instructions also say not to run it empty. I usually run it hot with a load of cleaning cloths to clean it out.
Have you cleaned behind the door seal? There the bit at the bottom which always catches water, but if you lift the edges of the seal, it's amazing how much gunk gathers there.
Finally, are you washing your things on a hot enough wash? Is there a buildup of detergent that's not getting rinsed out properly?

[dottiedodah]

Agree Laundry Cleanser is the way to go .Dettol make a great one, and some supermarkets have their own brand as well. Also good and a bit cheaper!

[Cheetahfajita]

Use fabric conditioner.

[gretagreengrapes]

@Cheetahfajita I use it in every wash but my washing is still smelling horrid lately, so I dont think it's solely that.

[alphaechokiwi]

Thanks everyone, you have been really helpful.
I just checked the door seal. There was some gunk, nothing too smelly, and £2 in change!!! I've given it a good scrub with some washing soda.
To snsw

[alphaechokiwi]

Oops, posted too soon!
To answer some questions - I tend to wash at 40 or 60 and 30 for wool and delicates. I use fabric conditioner on wool and delicate washes. I wash cloths etc at 90.
It's difficult to keep the door open because it's beside the sink and gets knocked...
Clothes are dried outside or inside on a rack with a dehumidifier.
I'm going to try the laundry detergent and report back

[NicholasTopliss]

Check your waste pipe and drains. It could be that the machine isn't emptying properly, or even that dirty water is backflowing.

[NachoNachoMan]

Could you also put some drain foamy stuff down your sink plug hole(s)? It will then clean the pipes incase there's anything further along causing an issue. We had a really good one that we left over night, the foam sat in the pipe and got rid of the manky smell from the drains. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called though!

[NachoNachoMan]

@alphaechokiwi £2 is more than I normally get - I only usually find pennies and soggy socks!

[Satsuma2]

Try a hot cycle with dishwasher powder. Very good at getting gunk out. Also check filter, drawer and the rubber seal.