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DH and festering laundry - am I being fussy?

185 replies

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 17:12

Important background context: DH and I both work hybrid, flexible wrt days on-site or at-home. DH has a good habit of going for a jog every morning before he starts work.

My problem is that he frequently "helpfully" starts a laundry load containing his gross sweaty sports kit plus whatever he finds in the family laundry basket - and he'll do this whether or not one of us is at home that day. So of course what happens is the wet laundry sits in the machine all day, festering and developing that "fermented wet laundry" smell that is really hard to get rid of.

Today for example DH started the laundry early in the morning and swanned off to work (I had already left), I got home from work after 4pm, opened the washing machine, nearly died of the smell, had to run an extra rinse cycle with vinegar, then had to hang out the laundry at nearly 5pm. So chances are the stuff won't even get dry by bedtime and will probably still have the lingering smell 🤢

I have reminded DH numerous times to check whether I'm going to be at home before he decides to run a laundry load or at least to avail himself of the amazing time-delay function on the machine so it finishes later in the day! (Today he definitely knew I was out because he even asked me to pick up something from the shop near my work!) Yet he keeps doing this Angry

I have a suspicion he simply can't smell the fermented wet cloth smell although he claims to understand my objection. DC and I can all smell it, our pet hate is the clothes that seem to have been de-smelled, but then when you put them on and your body heat warms them up slightly, the stench is back and wafting all around you 🤮 It probably wouldn't bother me as much if DH would just do this to his own clothes, but he always adds everyone else's clothes into the load.

IABU - What a helpful domesticated DH, and what is this smell you mention anyway?
IANBU - There was a reason why the time-delay function was invented, and that festering damp smell is one of the low-key worst smells!

OP posts:
Sewaccidentprone · 10/06/2025 18:36

Now deep clean it monthly and it no longer has that slightly fusty smell

AlphaApple · 10/06/2025 18:36

I feel like I live in an alternate universe. My laundry can sit in the machine for half a day without smelling like that.

How old is your washing machine?

Parker231 · 10/06/2025 18:35

MyHouseInThePrairie · 10/06/2025 18:26

The OP has already said she is doing one every month…..

Sounds like the machine is faulty if it’s making washing smell.

Amethystanddiamonds · 10/06/2025 18:35

I'm also thinking.....how are the drains outside? Is there a possibility the machine is draining slowly and standing water is backing up from the drains.

Sewaccidentprone · 10/06/2025 18:35

i always thought my machine was clean till I saw someone pull back the rubber seal and wipe round the inside. I did the same and it was rank 😫

Bloozie · 10/06/2025 18:33

That would annoy me, the fact he knows it smells and still does it anyway. Enraging. But also I do think there might be something wrong with your washing machine because it shouldn’t smell after a day.

Do you use eco washing sheets as well as eco temperature? I used to but have stopped and gone back to non bio because our washing really smelled using the eco sheets I had been using. I gave it a thorough clean and now also use the Dettol laundry sanitiser in the fabric softener tray (which we never used), as it does a double job of keeping the pipes clean as well as our clothes fresh.

We also add soda crystals to white washes and things like the dog towels.

All this in combo has stopped the horrid smell. We still wash at 30 degrees.

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 18:29

BastardesEverywhere · 10/06/2025 18:25

I'm going to do a soda hot wash right now

Try dishwasher tablets instead. Two in the drum on a hot wash...they work brilliantly.

According to Google, soda crystals are better for limescale and detergent build up but dishwasher tablets are better for 'grease and grime'.

OMG I'm going to try this!

OP posts:
godmum56 · 10/06/2025 18:28

IMustDoMoreExercise · 10/06/2025 18:07

I don't and I regularly leave my washing overnight. There is no smell.

This.

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 18:28

MyHouseInThePrairie · 10/06/2025 18:26

The OP has already said she is doing one every month…..

It's the new 'cancel the cheque' Grin

OP posts:
MyHouseInThePrairie · 10/06/2025 18:26

Louoby · 10/06/2025 18:24

The washing machine shouldn’t smell after a few hours of being finished. Have you completed a machine clean? I would do this regularly.

The OP has already said she is doing one every month…..

LifeReallyIsTooShort · 10/06/2025 18:25

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 17:12

Important background context: DH and I both work hybrid, flexible wrt days on-site or at-home. DH has a good habit of going for a jog every morning before he starts work.

My problem is that he frequently "helpfully" starts a laundry load containing his gross sweaty sports kit plus whatever he finds in the family laundry basket - and he'll do this whether or not one of us is at home that day. So of course what happens is the wet laundry sits in the machine all day, festering and developing that "fermented wet laundry" smell that is really hard to get rid of.

Today for example DH started the laundry early in the morning and swanned off to work (I had already left), I got home from work after 4pm, opened the washing machine, nearly died of the smell, had to run an extra rinse cycle with vinegar, then had to hang out the laundry at nearly 5pm. So chances are the stuff won't even get dry by bedtime and will probably still have the lingering smell 🤢

I have reminded DH numerous times to check whether I'm going to be at home before he decides to run a laundry load or at least to avail himself of the amazing time-delay function on the machine so it finishes later in the day! (Today he definitely knew I was out because he even asked me to pick up something from the shop near my work!) Yet he keeps doing this Angry

I have a suspicion he simply can't smell the fermented wet cloth smell although he claims to understand my objection. DC and I can all smell it, our pet hate is the clothes that seem to have been de-smelled, but then when you put them on and your body heat warms them up slightly, the stench is back and wafting all around you 🤮 It probably wouldn't bother me as much if DH would just do this to his own clothes, but he always adds everyone else's clothes into the load.

IABU - What a helpful domesticated DH, and what is this smell you mention anyway?
IANBU - There was a reason why the time-delay function was invented, and that festering damp smell is one of the low-key worst smells!

Give him his own laundry basket and demand he leaves yours and anyone else’s well alone. Keep your laundry basket in the wardrobe or a cupboard out of sight, I’m sure he won’t have time to run around emptying several baskets.
Hope this helps OP, stale water absolutely stinks 🤮 Good luck

MyHouseInThePrairie · 10/06/2025 18:25

Btw @GardenAnarchist id ignore anyone who tells you you’re imagining things.
Youre not. Remember your dc can smell it too!

But somehow people 1- have issues imagining their experience isn’t everyone experience and 2- really love to find things to pull people apart and find fault.
So yes, ignore people telling you ‘it’s in your head’. It’s not you, it’s a them problem

BastardesEverywhere · 10/06/2025 18:25

I'm going to do a soda hot wash right now

Try dishwasher tablets instead. Two in the drum on a hot wash...they work brilliantly.

According to Google, soda crystals are better for limescale and detergent build up but dishwasher tablets are better for 'grease and grime'.

Louoby · 10/06/2025 18:24

The washing machine shouldn’t smell after a few hours of being finished. Have you completed a machine clean? I would do this regularly.

MyHouseInThePrairie · 10/06/2025 18:23

I know exactly the sort if smell you’re talking about @GardenAnarchist
But I have to say, I haven’t noticed it after such short time (we often put the washing to go in the evening to hang up in the am, which is similar?).

Im going to say it has somethimg with washing at 20oC.

Having said that, seeing you wash things at 20oC, then he needs to put it to go with the timer on. Or just his stuff in the machine/on the side and wait that someone is in to put a wash on.

Merryoldgoat · 10/06/2025 18:22

20/30 degrees? That’s clearly the problem.

I wash most things at 40 on a ‘mixed load’ so the cycle takes about an hour.

Can stay in the machine overnight with no repercussions.

Often I will wash overnight, and nanny will dry when she gets in at 2 and clothes never smell. Even stinky stuff like cauliflower sodden tea towels.

Parker231 · 10/06/2025 18:21

Canonlythinkofthisone · 10/06/2025 18:17

Why are people asking if there is a delay function. OP CLEARLY states there is, but her DH doesn't use it 😑

Dettol laundry is ace for gym stuff/towels etc

You might be imagining the smell. You might not. Either way, he needs to start listening to your needs and just use the delay function. My DH is barely house trained and even he can figure this one out when he puts washing on 🙄

Why would he need to use the delay function. The washing is clean but sounds like the washing machine is either faulty or a cleaning cycle not run regularly.

Devilsmommy · 10/06/2025 18:20

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 17:22

I do a soda crystal hot wash about once a month, should I do it more frequently? Most of our loads are 20/30C for eco reasons, maybe that is a problem?

Or possibly my nose is particularly sensitive to that smell - I can definitely detect it if laundry has been sitting all day (today for example would have been about 7 hours). I have always had an especial hatred of that smell for as long as I can remember.

You need to wash at 40 especially nasty sweaty clothes. 20 or 30 is not going to clean them properly. Nowhere near hot enough

BastardesEverywhere · 10/06/2025 18:20

I know the damp 'mouldy' smell of forgotten laundry - but it takes some time before that happens.

I often chuck a load on at 8am then totally forget and hang it up at 6pm. Or chuck one on before bed and hang in the morning - our laundry always smells fresh and clean.

I wash at 30 or 40 though, I'd not wash anything at 20 other than sportswear with numbers etc on like ds's football kits.

legoplaybook · 10/06/2025 18:20

I think it's pretty normal to put a wash on before work and dry it after work and it shouldn't get that musty smell.
I often put a wash on in the evening and hang it out in the morning.

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 18:19

Canonlythinkofthisone · 10/06/2025 18:17

Why are people asking if there is a delay function. OP CLEARLY states there is, but her DH doesn't use it 😑

Dettol laundry is ace for gym stuff/towels etc

You might be imagining the smell. You might not. Either way, he needs to start listening to your needs and just use the delay function. My DH is barely house trained and even he can figure this one out when he puts washing on 🙄

It's OK, people are still asking if I've ever cleaned my machine too!

OP posts:
Bearbookagainandagain · 10/06/2025 18:18

GardenAnarchist · 10/06/2025 17:59

I am definitely starting to think that I'm imagining the smell Sad

I don't think you are, but it shouldn't happen so quickly.

Parker231 · 10/06/2025 18:18

FoodAppropriation · 10/06/2025 17:52

He would drive me insane.

As above, run a 60 wash at least once a month for towels or something. Use powder, not liquid or worst, the laundry tabs

Tell your husband he's disgusting. I leave my own wet sport laundry next to the machine until I am ready that day - not in laundry basket where it would stink up the whole lot, but not in the machine either.

Freshly washed laundry doesn’t smell. It doesn’t matter where you leave it after you’ve washed it.

Canonlythinkofthisone · 10/06/2025 18:17

Why are people asking if there is a delay function. OP CLEARLY states there is, but her DH doesn't use it 😑

Dettol laundry is ace for gym stuff/towels etc

You might be imagining the smell. You might not. Either way, he needs to start listening to your needs and just use the delay function. My DH is barely house trained and even he can figure this one out when he puts washing on 🙄

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