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?

@Tronkmanton

Try cleaning your washing machine with dishwasher tablets- Google how to do it (they need to be the cheaper powder type not the gel ones) it should clean any bacterial residue.

I had this problem but only on dark coloured clothes- it literally took me 2 years to work out why. I used to use liquid detergent on darks and powder on the rest, the liquid detergent was causing the smell. They would wash, dry, iron & put away fine then would stink when it came to wearing them. I finally worked it out after trying everything previously suggested eg white vinegar etc. I now NEVER use liquid detergent, only powder. Doesn’t make a difference if bio or non bio. However you said that you use powder so it can’t be that.

@Tronkmanton - When you say liquid detergent do you mean the gel 'pods' that you chuck in the drum or the bottles that you use a capfull of?

I agree with the Dettol suggestions.

I had this and did a LOT of investigating. My findings were that the smell is caused by bacteria. I was using gel and pods, and by switching to powder and using dettol, the problem went away!

I had a jumper recently that stubbornly kept smelling, and I soaked it in a diluted solution of the dettol stuff, then washed it and it came out smelling perfect.

@Laiste I was using liquid detergent from bottles not capsules, but I would imagine capsules would be the same?

Interesting. I've been using capsules for years and the smell thing only happened to me that one day. I'm wondering if the machine (elderly Miele) did some freak back wash thing with the dirty water at the end of the cycle. Probably not even possible but it's what it smelt like and worse!

I found stopping using a detergent in the drawer stopped all the black gunk appearing in their, which, although you can clean it out periodically obvs, is nice to not have.

Do you use fabric conditioner?
I had a problem with cheesy washing years ago, and it turned out to be a certain combo of washing detergent and fabric conditioner . There were threads on here about it, I’ve completely forgotten what the products were though.

I do a hot wash about once a month, and also use “napisan” for bedding, towels. It’s a fabric disinfectant powder you add to your wash. Made for reusable nappies, but it’s great for any food/organic stains and keeps the machine smelling fresh

Can't thank you all enough for all the suggestions, will work through the ones I haven't tried. Don't think my loads are too small, just meant I'm mindful of overloading so don't do massive ones I know would be pushing it.

Neither wardrobe (ours or DD's) are on external walls and both are cleaned regularly (with antibac, will try bleach next time), especially since this started happening. The airing cupboard, where I've also had 'the smell' still houses the hot water tank (antiquated heating system) so it's toasty warm in there, really don't think it can be damp causing the smell.

I never leave wet washing in the machine, try to empty it as soon as it bleeps and have been known to wash a load again if it's been left for some reason. I think the Dettol stuff is my next move, will come back and update on results in case it's useful to anyone else.

It'll be the smell of the fabric conditioner, they're all highly scented and vile, ylang-ylang ylang-ylang, blue lotus, summer garden ( no idea if these are real names ) You just want plain bio powder. I find Lidl's is excellent ( green box )

Those of you using the Dettol laundry cleanser - do you use this instead of washing powder or as well? If as well how do you add this when there is powder in the drawer?

@DSArnott

Those of you using the Dettol laundry cleanser - do you use this instead of washing powder or as well? If as well how do you add this when there is powder in the drawer?

I've always put it in the conditioner drawer, instead of the conditioner.

I add it to the main drawer for maximum effect.

@DSArnott

Those of you using the Dettol laundry cleanser - do you use this instead of washing powder or as well? If as well how do you add this when there is powder in the drawer?

You put it in the fabric conditioner drawer and use as well as the washing powder.

Is a bit of a pain as you can't use fabric conditioner as well (well I don't think you can). I've usually used it for towels though so you don't need fab conditioner with them anyway so it's ok.

If you have a Lidl store near you, I would recommend getting a few of these and running two (not the recommended one) through the hottest wash you have on an empty load:
www.lidl.co.uk/p/w5/w5-washing-machine-cleaner/p40025

I would also think that it might be the rubber ring between the door and the drum that could be perishing or that the filter on the machine might need to be cleaned out. Have you cleaned the filter of the washing machine before? If you haven't make sure you have loads of teatowels or just towels in general to mop up the water that will be in the filter as you open it.

My xOH insisted on hanging his t shirts indoors and would do too many at once (don't ask) so they'd end up not drying properly leading to the horrible, musty smell. Ordinary washing will never get rid of it because it's fungal/mould. I did some investigation online and saw Napisan powder recommended and a good scoop of that in the washing got rid of the smell first time.
Not sure if this will help, sounds like you're doing most things.

More good tips, thank you Door and seal were replaced about 18 months ago and I clean the seal and filter regularly, learned about the bowl/towel thing the hard way and have a lifted floor tile as a result

Non-bio powder is actually better at killing bacteria on clothes. Bio is more for stains.

Maybe try moving over to non-bio for a while? I also occasionally use a laundry cleanser for sports clothes etc.

I had this. When things had been in the cupboard for a while they smelled sicky.

I think it was the washing machine.