Why do my clothes smell?

[Weirdfan]

Not freshly washed stuff, things that have been in the wardrobe a while and not a musty smell, really unpleasant, like a sour, dirty smell? Is my washer just not getting things properly clean and once the detergent smell has faded the 'real' smell is noticeable? My washer is old but the drum doesn't smell and it's still removing obvious marks and stains so really not sure, would switching to anti bacterial detergent help? Currently using bio powder so would hope that was powerful enough but maybe not? Keep having to rewash stuff if it's been in the wardrobe more than a few weeks, happening with DD's stuff too so not the wardrobe either, any ideas anyone?

Have you tried adding white vinegar to your wash?
Half a cup in the fabric softener drawer (instead of fabric softener) in each wash can help get rid of smells.

Check your machine for mould. You could be dragging fresh clothes over it when taking them out. Door seals can be nasty. Keep the door fully open between washes

@poppym12

I found this with some summer clothing that had been put away for a few months since a holiday. Washed, dried and ironed beforehand but had a weird smell a few weeks later. Haven't been able to fathom out why.

My theory is that it is caused by residual conditioner in the fabric.

I've yet to have the time to carry out detective work on it though. Got more than enough to do.

I use minimal powder and minimal conditioner.

Even a change of conditioner would mean rewashing almost everything in that particular wardrobe.

I do know that rewashing gets rid of it for a time.

I’m not being cheeky but does your machine need cleaned? I used to use the pods and they would make my machine smell after a while. I usually buy the cleaner from home bargains for a pound

You've mentioned you're in an area with hard water, have you fitted a filter to your plumbing system? We plumbed in a lime wizard and it made a huge difference, we change the filter approximately monthly. All clothes are softer, cleaner and smell better and a huge improvement in my hair condition.

Are you putting away once-worn clothes too? If I do that, my wardrobe smells like a charity shop.

White vinegar/anti bacterial liquid is good to prevent this.

Do you use fabric softener? It's evil stuff, made of animal fat. After the artificial perfume wears off it smells awful IMO.

@IsItAKindofDream

Have you tried adding white vinegar to your wash? Half a cup in the fabric softener drawer (instead of fabric softener) in each wash can help get rid of smells.

Is there any vinegary smell apparent when you do that?

I think it's the lack of ventilation in the wardrobes and airing cupboard. You could use lavender bags, cedar balls or put citronella oil on cotton balls and dot them about (not in contact with the actual clothes) to see if that helps.

Your mother-in-law is right. You shouldn't use more washing powder/soap/gel than indicated. It remains in the fabric and can actually create a smell and ruin the fabric. And it doesn't get the clothes cleaner. Try putting the smelly clothes through the washer with no soap at all a few times.

We haven't fitted a filter Fuckitsstillraining no, we're council tenants so not sure we'd be allowed to and we can't afford to fit the shower we desperately need so it's not really something we've thought about tbh, nice thought though Never put anything worn away no thenightsky, we have a chair to drape that stuff on

I've wondered about the fabric conditioner Chocolatebuttercream, I changed brands to see if it helped but maybe they're all as bad. Do you use anything as a substitute or just not bother with anything other than detergent? Have tried white vinegar HunkyPunk, no difference unfortunately Will try the citronella DonLewis, just worried my clothes are actually dirty so not sure if masking the smell is enough.

I have tried every variation detergent-wise SofiaAmes, more than recommended, less, re-washing stuff with no detergent, changing to non bio, gels, liquids, pods, the lot! I've tried pre-washing with bio powder and then main wash with non bio gel, doing an extra rinse on every load, adding bicarb or white vinegar, honestly you name and I've tried it, none of it makes a difference. Which leads me back to my machine as it's the only constant, just praying I don't save for ages to get a new one and then find it's still bloody happening, I might take a sledgehammer to something at that point

@weirdfan I don't use anything as we are in a soft water area. However, I get my dishwasher tablets from a company called Smol (they are more eco friendly and post them to you) and I recently saw that they have brought out a product called 'Fabcon' which is a fabric conditioner with no animal fat, and it seems to have good reviews. There may be other similar ones, I'm not sure, but if I were to move/decide to use any I would use that.

I'll have a look at that, thank you Chocolatebuttercream.

Every so often we get nasty smelling 'clean' clothes. We use a bottle of Dettol washing machine cleaner and it sorts it right out. I thought it was a bit gimmicky and a really hot empty wash would do just as good a job, but turns out the dettol stuff does do what it says on the tin!

Can you take some clothes to the laundrette or ask a friend to run a load in their machine? That would help rule out your machine as the source of the smell.

Could the walls behind your wardrobe be damp or mouldy?

I'm having the same problem so reading this with interest. We've got the same vomity smell but only on certain clothes, mainly t shirts oddly enough. It's driving me mad trying to figure out why.

My husbands clothes often smell because he will put worn clothes in there with his clean clothes. I have told him

Is your machine actually getting hot? I had this and thought I was washing everything at 40 but the thermostat had gone and it was just using cold water.

Are you putting away once-worn clothes too? If I do that, my wardrobe smells like a charity shop
I work in a charity shop & know exactly the smell you speak of
I imagine it’s some sort of bacteria as sometimes you can tell that clothes have been washed but also have that weird smell

I used to get the sweaty smell recur after ironing shirts. Due to the wash not dealing with bacteria properly. I now use Dettol laundry cleanser (Persia do one too) in every wash and have no problem with stuff smelling even if put away for some time.

Persil not Persia !

Do your wardrobes close completely? If they do the try putting a bit of card or something larger to wedge the door open.
You may need more air circulation. I know they are two different wardrobes but are they perhaps either side of an old chimney that hasn't been vented properly?
Otherwise it's got to be powder of machine. I'd do an empty wash at 90 and try a different brand of powder

Yes cushioncovers, it is mostly T-shirt's come to think of it! Not confined to though, it was jeans today Machine definitely getting hot Pinkywoo, will try getting my mum to do some test-loads and using the Dettol machine cleaner, do use the Dr Beckman one but the Dettol one might be better. Thanks for all your suggestions, much appreciated.