Why doesn't my washing smell fresh?

[bendmeoverbackwards]

I've tried everything - varying washing liquids/powders/conditioners

Doing an empty hot wash

Doing a wash with white vinegar/bicarb

Line drying when weather allows

It doesn't smell bad but not nice and fresh. Washing machine is over 10 years old but it's a Miele which are supposed to go on forever.

Any tips please?

Have you cleaned the filters, soap drawer, and tried some Calgon?

Sensitive nose? It might smell fine to others (although I appreciate it might be hard to find someone to smell your laundry for you to find out)

Do you air your washing machine I leave the door open on mine all night and only have it very loosely closed during the day

I second cleaning the filters, soap drawer and inside the door seal. Don't forget to check the back/top of the hole where the soap drawer fits (you'll have to remove it).

Do you leave the washing sat in the machine after its finished or take it out straight away? If you leave it sat there you can end up with mouldy pipes, and that ends up being rinsed through into your clothes.

How old are your clothes? If they're cheap fabrics and holding onto body smells a bit you might need to either wash them on a higher temperature a few times and hope they survive or replace them.

Are you airing out your home every day? People who don't air their homes, well their homes smell a bit, sorry! And that smell gets into their clothes.

I find my washing smells the nicest when I tumble dry it, it's the only time I can actually smell the detergent.

I use a Dettol washing machine cleaner. For me it seems to work when nothing else does.

I've done empty hot washes before and it seems to create a problem, unless I put biological laundry powder in it at the same time.

Scent beads. Expensive but I’ve never gone back. Then in conjunction with dryer sheets.

Silly question I know but are you using enough washing powder/ the right number of tabs? I always assumed it was 1 tab per load but reading the back of the box, if you have a normal size washing machine or hard water you really need 2. My washing is clean but smells nothing-y with 1 tab and lovely smelling with 2

At what temperature are you washing the clothes ?

I had a similar situation a few years back - clothes still smelling fusty after washing. But washing machine clean and smell free. I was washing at 30 degrees so I checked the clothes labels and increased temperature to 40 and lo and behold - fusty smell gone.

I never use conditioner and use both bio and non bio washing gel things

Are you doing any washes over 40 degrees.

Weekly washes at 60 help to prevent washing machines going mouldy as it kills Bacteria

Also I find that not leaving the door open helps keep my machine mould free.

I've had my machine for 10 years and no mould ever and washing smells like it should.

I always add soda crystals to a white wash.

I use Ariel liquid and sometimes yellow Lenor esp for DC school uniform

I always wash our towels and sheets at 60 as think this helps keep the machine clean

I've searched for that lovely fresh washed smell and find it's very elusive. Fairy NonBio Liquid (not the tabs) give the freshest scent that I've come across so far.

I echo the message about washing most laundry at 40 degrees and above if you can. Also don't over fill the machine and as already suggested leave the door open overnight, empty.

@JovialNickname

Silly question I know but are you using enough washing powder/ the right number of tabs? I always assumed it was 1 tab per load but reading the back of the box, if you have a normal size washing machine or hard water you really need 2. My washing is clean but smells nothing-y with 1 tab and lovely smelling with 2

This is a really good point.

I use on average 2 ariel pods, lenor scent boosters and lenor fab cond.

I have become nose blind to it, but people often comment on how nice the kids uniform smells.

I was my bathroom cleaning cloths, towels and sheets on a very hot wash (80-90deg) 1-2 week. The everything else at 30deg no fabric conditioner ever. I also leave the door open most of the time. Washing all smells fine. The only exception is if I have to air dry things that can't go in tumble dryer over a few rainy damp days inside , in which case they do sometimes smell a bit musty.

I do a 30 deg wash for most things, better for the environment and better for clothes.

Towels at 50, sheets at 50.

@JovialNickname

Silly question I know but are you using enough washing powder/ the right number of tabs? I always assumed it was 1 tab per load but reading the back of the box, if you have a normal size washing machine or hard water you really need 2. My washing is clean but smells nothing-y with 1 tab and lovely smelling with 2

Good point, I’ll try this.

Wonder if changing from 30 to 40 deg wash may make the difference.

30 isn't hot enough. That is your problem.

Towels and tea towels/ kitchen and bedding need to be done on 60 minimum. Preferably a 90 wash every now and then.

Everyday clothes need 40. Pants and socks need an occasional 60 wash.

30 for things that aren't actually dirty and just need a quick freshen.

I would wash the smelly items on a hot (60+) wash with laundry sanitizer too, to kill the bacteria in the fabric causing it to smell when wet. Then you can go back to washing them at 30.

If i had the option of 50 i would use it for things like work shirts/ school shirts

Oh thank you! I always thought a 30 deg wash was ok.

I always worry about shrinkage if washed too hot.

So long as you're not doing woollens or delicates in hot then you'll almost certainly be fine.
Tumlecdriers are the buggers for shrinkage.