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Original poster

Smelly Washing Machine

29 replies

MintyJulip · 09/06/2021 17:41

I thought I'd clean my washing machine as I havnt done it for ages ever
Put it on 60 degrees with some special washing machine cleaning granules.
Well now it stinks! It was fine before😯
Smells like rotten cabbagge.
Any tips what I can do now please? 🙏

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 09/06/2021 17:42

If you have hard water or hadn’t done a cleaning cycle for ages it will have brought all the gunk out.

Do another cycle, on 90 degrees with washing soda or white vinegar.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 09/06/2021 17:45

Do it again?

I had this issue with my Samsung machine recently, it smelled worse after I did a hot wash with soda crystals.

Then I used the machine's own programme "Eco Drum Clean" completely empty without any powder or cleaning agent. Which sorted it out. Does your machine have an option like that?

Leave the door completely open over night every night is my general tip, also the powder drawer.

IncessantNameChanger · 09/06/2021 17:48

Ever time I use mine i squit some white vinegar into the drum. Not much about a tablespoon or so. It stops it smelling and going musty. It does however stink out the room for about 15 minutes.

It's the cheapest and reliable stink stopper.

Original poster
MintyJulip · 09/06/2021 17:54

Don't think I've got eco drum thingy.
Not sure I've even got 90 degrees.
The machine is about 3 years old so I probably have dislodged a load of gunk.
I will try it again.
Thankyou!

OP posts:
stopringingme · 09/06/2021 18:07

I run mine at 90 degrees empty once a month and have never had a smelly machine.

Pull the drawer out and check there as we have found a build up of gunk there.

stopringingme · 09/06/2021 18:08

Also leave the door open when not in use

RickJames · 09/06/2021 18:09

I just put mine on 90 with a load of bleach. Always leave your door open between washes, clean out the rubber seals and the drawer regularly.

aiwblam · 09/06/2021 18:11

Clean all the parts that you can see, manually with a tooth brush and then keep running the machine on hot washes until the smell goes. I’d run more cleaning granules another 2 times as it’s years of build up, not a 3 monthly maintenance clean that the granules are intended for. They probably have dislodged a bit but not all of it and haven’t cleared it.

aiwblam · 09/06/2021 18:12

Oh and I’d hold off on the bleach wash until you run the machine twice on hot and totally empty to avoid mixing cleaning products in the guts of the thing.

roguetomato · 09/06/2021 18:35

@stopringingme

I run mine at 90 degrees empty once a month and have never had a smelly machine.

Pull the drawer out and check there as we have found a build up of gunk there.

Same here though not as regularly as every month, I do it when I realised I haven't done it for a while. And my washing machine is very old, but It never smells.
user64325 · 09/06/2021 18:38

Try a couple of dishwasher tablets on the longest and hottest cycle you have.

Original poster
MintyJulip · 09/06/2021 23:01

Thanks everyone, will try again tomorrow

OP posts:
StarlightLady · 10/06/2021 04:36

In addition to the tips above, once a month, I also take the drawer out soak in a disinfectant solution. Rinse thoroughly before you put it back though.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 10/06/2021 07:29

Do a 90 deg wash with just a cupful of soda crystals. If a lot of foam/residue is still coming out, repeat.
When I did this I was astonished at the amount of foam from build up of gunk - evidently caused by gel pods and/or conditioner.

I now use only powder plus soda crystals in every wash.

SwanShaped · 10/06/2021 07:32

Mine does that. Make sure you leave the door open a bit when it’s not in use. It’ll help.

DinosaurDiana · 10/06/2021 07:34

Leave the door and drawer wide open whenever you can, I make sure mine is open at bed time.

Nowisthemonthofmaying · 10/06/2021 07:38

Check the filter as if that's clogged it can cause problems - my machine was v smelly recently and discovered the filter was completely blocked with hair grips, tissue, money etc.

StarlightLady · 10/06/2021 07:41

@Nowisthemonthofmaying - Have you been money laundering 😂 ?

Original poster
MintyJulip · 10/06/2021 07:55

🤣 nothing in the filter, I checked.
Actually I have recently started using the pods, maybe I'll buy some powder.
My kitchen smells like a rotting cabbage patch!

OP posts:
Onesmallstep67 · 10/06/2021 08:01

@MintyJulip, I had the same issue as a result of using pods. Switched back to powder and no more issues. It took me a while to realise and I thought it was the machine at fault but in my case I believe it was definitely the pods.

YellowMonday · 10/06/2021 08:15

Wipe it out. Then put a cup of white vinegar in on your hottest cycle. Once ended, but a cup of bicarb for a second hottest cycle. Once finished, open up and wipe out - focus on the seals.

I swear by this - do it once a quarter. Also works well for smelly towels!

Final advice, make sure not to close the door between washes, keep it open.

KaptainKaveman · 10/06/2021 08:19

[quote StarlightLady]@Nowisthemonthofmaying - Have you been money laundering 😂 ?[/quote]
Good one!

Original poster
MintyJulip · 10/06/2021 17:23

I've done 2 x 90 degree washes with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
Will see what happens now.....

OP posts:
Whyhello · 10/06/2021 17:34

I clean mine once a month with the fabulosa washing cleaner stuff, smells like a cocktail! It should be cleaned regularly and as someone else said, keep the door ajar when it isn’t in use. Also wipe around the seal and clean the drawer out.

Original poster
MintyJulip · 10/06/2021 17:58

The seal was disgusting, screws, coins, and something that looked like a fossilised mouseConfused
Where do I get the fabulosa stuff from please?

OP posts: