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).

Watching

Napisan is usually in the baby section of supermarkets rather than the laundry section. It seems expensive to me now, at one time it was really cheap - Vanish is probably cheaper but I haven't checked!

I use the Tesco own brand version Dettol-type laundry detergent as a pre-wash soak if anything smells funny. I took some white tops out of DD's room today as they had that kind of sour smell as if they didn't dry fast enough or got left in the machine. It is a pain!

Also. If you have any smelly washing always dry it before re washing, it helps.!

I was having this problem. To be fair I did leave clothes too long in the washing machine before taking them out, so try not to do that now. But I also mix a spoonful of soda crystals in the powder now for every wash and that seems to help too.

It doesn't seem like it's your washer more the drying. Whenever you hang clothes to dry and it's damp they will smell. Also are you using comfort? This always makes clothes smell lovely.

Swap fabric softener for vinegar and add a few drops of essential oil.

Thank you all! 90 degree 2hr hot wash on with napisan, wiped out seals and tray also with warm water with napisan in it. Lakeland airer ordered! Thanks all!

@springydaff I order my napisan from ocado. I think it's in the baby section of supermarkets-

it's honestly a godsend!!

How have I got to almost 50 without knowing that washing machines have filters? Where are they??

I don’t have an issue with clothes smelling bad but might switch to powder after reading this!

Every month or so run a 90 degree wash in an empty machine. Add washing soda crystals and vinegar if you want. This will keep kthe machine clean.

IME 30 degrees is not hot enough to kill all bacteria and keep clothes smelling fresh. I only use it for cashmere and silk. Everything else is 40 or 60.

I prefer liquids to powder but whatever you use, don’t use too much product. If you use too much of anything it won’t rinse out thoroughly which means the dirt won’t rinse away properly either.

For DHs exceptionally stinky sports kit, I wash on it’s own with a product called Halo

Soda crystals!!!!!

I had this problem and about two months back ran soda crystals through at 90 - twice.

Not had an issue since. Even with liquid though I just switched to powder around 2 weeks ago (reducing plastic use)

Does using powder stop the detergent drawer going black? I've been using gel in the drum for years and this has always been a problem.

Yep I too had this problem with liquid gel and now only use powder.

We had this for a while with an old machine. The measures you are taking so far helped us.

I also found this stuff helpful, especially for sports clothes/underwear. Think it helped keep the machine clean too.

I have a new machine and have definitely noticed the difference from my old one in terms of effective cleaning. I use powder and as it is so good I can wash a lot of things at 30. They all come out clean although I pretreat any obvious stains (eg Bolognese / mud stains) on anything washed at this temperature.

As for the powder clogging everything up, cleaning the washing machine through on an empty cycle seems good. I also use liquid detergent some of the time to prevent long term build up as I do remember people ruining their machines when they switched from powder to liquid so this is my way of avoiding this from happening.

My machine is 2 years old and I use powder for 80% of washes. Nothing more than the odd black spot and no clogging.

Dry everything outside. Even in winter you can get most stuff (not duvets or anything, obviously) mostly dry on a sunny breezy day on the line. You can finish off on an inside heated airer.

Everything smells lovely and fresh. If you leave it to get frosted on (even if dark is involved) it's even better.

Like other comments clean with cheap distilled vinegar and som bi card on hot wash nothing in machine. And start using powder as powder doesn’t get blocked like liquid gel pods etc and when finished leave door and draw open hope this helps

Cup of vinegar in full washing machine and do an empty wash.
Next clothes wash also add cup of vinegar.

Zaphodsotherhead
Dry everything outside. Even in winter you can get most stuff (not duvets or anything, obviously) mostly dry on a sunny breezy day on the line. You can finish off on an inside heated airer.

A great idea in theory but it depends entirely on where you live & the size & aspect of your outside space!

I’m in Lancs - days like that rarer than hens’ teeth here

Small back yard, high walls, surrounded by other houses. Putting stuff out pretty much doubles the drying time compared with indoor unheated airers; plus people have coal fires here (not smokeless...)

GiantKitten - Yes I know not everyone can hang stuff outside, and it does depend on where you are! I'm in North Yorkshire and very rural, so I realise what works for me might not be suitable for everyone (plus British weather, etc), but it's the only thing that I've found to work for smelly washing.

There will be other methods but I've not had to try them, on account of hanging everything outside!

Forgot to mention, I put powder in the drum, in a liquid dosing ball (free from Persil here www.persil.com/uk/dosing.html )

Only fabric rinse goes in the drawer, so it doesn’t get too mucky

as many have said, a very hot hygiene wash with vinegar will do the trick. I use powder as it generally comes in cardboard boxes which can be recycled more cost effectively than plastic tubs or bottles.