How to stop washed clothes stinking!

[Confusedrelation]

Just that, after washing our clothes often smell once dry (and it’s a horrid off, musty smell!). I use detol laundry in as well as the detergent, most clothes are washed on 30 with towels/sheets etc on 60. I have chucked in a washing machine cleaner a few times recently but it’s still not helped. Please help me! (Before we have no friends left as we smell too much).

Another recommendation for Napisan. If you haven't dried things fully before putting them away they get a horrible sickly, musty smell. Washing and re-washing won't get rid, you need a good slug of Napisan in the washer drawer.

We were getting this for a while when I switched to gel tablets. Switched back to powder and haven’t had the same problem since.

Take the washing out of the machine as soon as it’s finished the cycle. A handful of dishwasher tablets on a hot wash will clean the machine & hoses.

Thank you all!

Using non bio liquid, I’ll switch to bio powder tomorrow and try 40 degrees instead.

Also they’ve been hung out to dry and it’s not v warm in there... I may have an early Christmas present if one of those Lakeland dryers as I’ve had my eye on them for a while. Speed up the drying process.

Vinegar is going to go into the machine tomorrow and I’ll clean the seal (and filter... I didn’t know about that 😬) and I’ll also wash the stinky clothes with vinegar.

Really appreciate it thank you! Much better than DH’s ‘throw the clothes away’ when I’m thinking how the hell to replace them all!

God I love Mumsnet for sorting out a problem.

Have also ordered napisan! I will get this sorted thank you. Tiny wee one is asleep next to me and her PJ’s smell too now she’s warmed them up.

sounds like you have a plan. You can also use white vinegar as a fabric conditioner substitute on an ongoing basis. Cheaper, more environmentally friendly and keeps smells at bay

Happens every now and then if you use liquid as has been said, especially at 30.

Biological powder for a bit usually sorts it out (also as has been said)

Wash on 40, not 30.

Use powder.

Minimal conditioner. None if your water is soft enough. White vinegar helps.

Make sure the machine is clean.

Dry as quickly as possible

I think it could be the drying. I find if stuff is still damp after about 24 hours it does tend to honk. Also if it it isn't removed from the machine promptly.

We have been having similar issues! Going to try some of these

Mine sometimes smell of popcorn, hate it. Such good advice on here.

When you run a hot wash to clean the machine do you put any detergent or anything else in it or just let it run? And is bio okay on baby skin? I’ve used non bio gel for years and hadn’t thought of changing.

Good luck OP!

Don’t forget Confusedrelation don’t just powder but clean first pull out the drawer and wash that plus the bit where it goes and put the machine on 90 long cycle empty then open the door as soon as it goes bing, wipe it over and leave it open.

Always found persil non bio to be the worst for stinky clothes. Always musty and damp.

If your machine has a boil wash chuck in some towels And white vinegar or soda crystals and give the machine a good wash out. Even 40 degrees doesn't really kill bacteria. So if you can, wash most things on 60.

Wash at min 40 degrees...check that your element hasn't gone (glass should be warm to the touch) limescale ruins the elements.

Probably because you wash your clothes on 30!

Put a bleach wash cycle in the washing machine and then start washing on 40 or 60!

Out of interest why on earth are you washing whole loads at 30? Surely this is common knowledge?

Hot bleach wash once a week. For me that's the wash of white school shirts, white socks and flannels. Then all other washes can be eco 30° washes without smells.

Where do you buy Napisan?? I've looked all over and can't find any...

@Annielovesgilbert No detergent in with the cleaning stuff. Some service cleaners are powders that you pour in the drum and put on a hot wash. I use the liquid cleaner which you clean the seal with, dilute and soak drawer with, then empty the rest into machine.

I wash most things at 60. Previously I was re rinsing etc. Probably less wasteful. And my memories of my Granny's old twin tub were of hot washes.

I use the cold rinse function before washing for any body fluid smells then a wash. Powder definitely. I am lucky enough to have a line outside with a cover. But even an hour outside to freshen not dry helps.

Thanks **. I don’t have any particular cleaner in at the moment but this has inspired me so might pop some soda crystals in and do the hottest wash overnight. I always put washing gel in the machine, never used the drawer in this one. Crystals in the drum or drawer?

I had this recently, putting the washer on a normal cycle with half a big tub of thin bleach got rid of the musty smell, and wiping down the seal with bleach too, I did a extra rinse to make sure all the bleach was gone and it did the trick.

Using the measure from the liquid do one measure of bicarbonate/soda crystals and one of white vinegar into your washing machine drum and then run a 40 degree wash. Will get rid of odours and clean your machine x

Soda crystals in the drum and a hot wash for about 2hrs plus if you can. Good luck!