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Original poster

Washing machine smell hell- can anyone help?

82 replies

WhiteLily1 · 13/02/2025 11:48

Can anyone help me? This is driving me mad and is gross.
We have an integrated washing machine that’s fairly old (it was left in place by previous house owners)
It works fine but It stinks. I feel like I have tried everything. Cleaned out all the drawer, taken out the filter at the bottom and drained / cleaned. Even had the whole thing out and checked the pipes at the back. Cleaned seal as far as I can- tried to lift it as high as it will go to clean anything out.
Used white vinegar. Put on 90 degrees wash with only white vinegar. Used washing machine cleaners.
I used lots of white vinegar at the weekend and put on a hot cycle and two days later it smells 10x worse than it did before.
Just to give you an idea- I had the door open for 3 mins and it stunk out the whole downstairs which lingered for a couple of hours, even with a window open.
i can’t leave the door open for long in any case as It has the cabinet door on the front and is next to the kitchen sink. So having the machine open prevents me from accessing the sink and cupboards etc. I know this might be contributing to the smell but I don’t often see other people with integrated washing machines with then door hanging open in the kitchen for hours- so why does mine smell so bad?
I’ve tired so many things, is there anyone who can give me a suggestion of what I can try so get rid of the smell? It seems to be coming from the drum itself!
I have heard people use bleach or a dishwasher tablet but others say not to use those as it can damage the machine.

OP posts:
Ph3 · 13/02/2025 12:42

I’m sorry I can’t help. I had the same problem and had to get a new washing machine.

EducatingArti · 13/02/2025 12:56

I'd make up a solution of zoflora. Puor it in through the soap dispenser. Then put the machine on a hot wash with a couple of old towels.

Coffeeishot · 13/02/2025 12:58

EducatingArti · 13/02/2025 12:56

I'd make up a solution of zoflora. Puor it in through the soap dispenser. Then put the machine on a hot wash with a couple of old towels.

This. You can also so this with bleach and leave the door open overnight op.

nightmarepickle2025 · 13/02/2025 12:58

Do you use capsules/ liquid detergent? If so, stop and only use powder. Cured my stinky machine almost instantly. The capsules coat everything in soap residue which then hums.

Ivesaidenough · 13/02/2025 12:59

What about that Dettol anti-bacterial laundry stuff? That stopped mine smelling (although mine wasn't as bad.)

thistimelastweek · 13/02/2025 13:00

I had this problem. Replacing liquid with washing powder helped.

I started off with a couple of very hot empty cycles.

Doggymummar · 13/02/2025 13:00

Omg, this is me! I've tried everything. I've now roped my husband in and he's gonna uninstall it at the weekend and replace the pipes.

cheezncrackers · 13/02/2025 13:01

I use half a bag of soda crystals on a hot wash every month or so, which keeps my machine from smelling. If it was someone else's smelly old washing machine though I think I'd just buy a new one!

Panda34 · 13/02/2025 13:02

Put on a 90 deg wash with 2 dish washer tablets. I know people say it will damage it but I tried it as thought what have I got to lose. Was going to buy a new machine otherwise as it stank so bad. Then I make sure I dry inside the seal after every wash and leave the door open to dry it out.

AintNoPartyLikeANumber10Party · 13/02/2025 13:03

Bleach is your friend here. It will kill the stinky mold and remove the leftover washing gel etc. might take a couple of goes.
and then only use washing powder.

Wendolino · 13/02/2025 13:05

I had this problem with my last machine. I fixed it by running a 90° programme with a whole bottle of sink unblocker in the detergent drawer. I used the little blue bottle that costs around £3, I can't remember its name.

Coffeeishot · 13/02/2025 13:06

nightmarepickle2025 · 13/02/2025 12:58

Do you use capsules/ liquid detergent? If so, stop and only use powder. Cured my stinky machine almost instantly. The capsules coat everything in soap residue which then hums.

Oh no I've just started using pods they were on offer, I've not noticed a smell yet but if I will try powder again.

stayathomer · 13/02/2025 13:07

Op if it’s old do you use it a lot? Because it could just be the end of the road for it- our last one did that after a lot of years of service

Original poster
WhiteLily1 · 13/02/2025 13:09

Thank you for the replies so far!! A few things to try!
I use capsules and liquid fabric conditioner. I used to use those power tablets but tescos stopped doing own brand ones and switched to capsules which is when I switched.
For those that use powder- what do you do for fabric conditioner. I find powder alone doesn’t make washing smell nice at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhiteLily1 · 13/02/2025 13:09

stayathomer · 13/02/2025 13:07

Op if it’s old do you use it a lot? Because it could just be the end of the road for it- our last one did that after a lot of years of service

Edited

Use it around 5 times a week- normal amount for a family. Don’t want to get rid as it works perfectly fine and a new integrated one would cost £600+ which I don’t have.

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 13/02/2025 13:10

My washing machines never smell at all.

What detergents are you using? I use a basic non-bio washing powder and no conditioner or additive or scents.

Meadowfinch · 13/02/2025 13:12

'What do you use for fabric conditioner?'

Nothing. It's unnecessary. I don't like that slimy feel of fabric conditioner on my clothes.

Original poster
WhiteLily1 · 13/02/2025 13:16

Meadowfinch · 13/02/2025 13:12

'What do you use for fabric conditioner?'

Nothing. It's unnecessary. I don't like that slimy feel of fabric conditioner on my clothes.

The smell of it is lovely though- I hang clothes up on a couple of radiators and it’s lovely every time you walk in. I never feel and kind of slimy feel? Thankfully the smell of the machine doesn’t transfer too much or if it does the fabric conditioner makes them smell nice.
Whenever I have run out of conditioner, my clothes dont smell great.

OP posts:
Original poster
WhiteLily1 · 13/02/2025 13:17

Meadowfinch · 13/02/2025 13:10

My washing machines never smell at all.

What detergents are you using? I use a basic non-bio washing powder and no conditioner or additive or scents.

A capsule and liquid fabric conditioner in the drawer.

OP posts:
Meecrowahvey · 13/02/2025 13:18

WhiteLily1 · 13/02/2025 13:09

Thank you for the replies so far!! A few things to try!
I use capsules and liquid fabric conditioner. I used to use those power tablets but tescos stopped doing own brand ones and switched to capsules which is when I switched.
For those that use powder- what do you do for fabric conditioner. I find powder alone doesn’t make washing smell nice at all.

Your clothes probably don't smell nice because your machine is stinky. Solve the stink and your clothes should smell nice even with just powder.

It sounds like you should just buy a new machine though.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 13/02/2025 13:19

Yup, washing powder is the answer. A washer repair man told me gel/pods is not good for your machine. I use powder abd the occasional calgon tablet. Never a smell.

LurcherMumma · 13/02/2025 13:20

I used to have this but now I just put very little products in it and it's so much better. In a wash i just use an eco egg and then white vinegar instead of fabric conditioner - sometimes a few drops of essential oil to make it smell OF something. Occasionally a scoop of soda crystals for a pre wash on a very smelly load.
It means there's nothing for the mold to cling to. Takes time to get the gunky stuff out the system.
Used the same to get it clean, empty cycle with vinegar and 1 with soda crystals ( not at the same time, they neutralise each other.)
I also empty the water out of the filter weekly, now a day's even that doesn't smell at all but I still think it's best to get rid of the excess. That might just be a weird quirk of mine and not actually do anything

RelativePitch · 13/02/2025 13:20

Bleach on a 90°c wash (only 50mls) and honestly it is all about leaving the door open the whole time unfortunately.

bookish83 · 13/02/2025 13:21

Washing powder and no conditioner
Run beach through as PP said above
Leave door open all night!
Repeat several times

Fabric conditioner leaves awful slimy residue in machines and the pipes, honestly you will notice the difference and then you dont need to ise conditioner to cover up the small from the machine... which is probably happening without you realising!

LaundryWoes · 13/02/2025 13:22

Mine smelled all mildewy and damp, and the dettol machine cleaner and using dettol antibacterial additive helped. I did end up getting a new washing machine, but we only use powder and the dettol antibacterial stuff and my washing smells nice.