Why does my washing machine smell bad?!

[P0loGirl]

— it’s used regularly at temps between 30-60 degrees
it never has clothes just sitting in it, wet or dry
it’s emptied immediately at the end of a cycle
the clothes are usually just lightly dirty, I’m not shoving it full of filthy dog blankets every day.
I use a good laundry detergent

And it still smells bad…..why?!

No one has mentioned the possibility of your sink draining into a shared hose and the dirty water accidentally ending up in your machine. This happened to us and a plumber redid the pipe arrangement under the sink - not sure exactly what he did but it sorted it.

Use a scented fabric softener.

My Miele has a drain hose under a panel at the front. I took a look when I was just giving it a general wipe down and cleaning the adjacent filter. I drained it off into a roasting dish - the water really smelt and was quite grey. Did it after the next couple of washes until it became clear.

When we had an Indesit, you had to pop off a fascia strip at the bottom of the front panel to access the filter for cleaning.

I find my machine smells if I use laundry detergent instead of powder.

I do routinely clean the machine with Dettol laundry detergent, clean out the filter, and leave the door open.

Over the years I had this problem. Yes clean filters and leave door open but that won't stop it .
Never had a trace of smell or mould since I started this method.
1.Use only powder detergent, never liquid or pods.

1. Don't use fabric conditioner.
2. Put the detergent in the drum, never in the dispenser.
3. Buy a bottle of white vinegar for about 30p and squirt some in the drawer on every wash. I promise it doesn't make clothes smell of vinegar.

Same, I had this in both houses I’ve bought.

Yes I do this Bicarb, white vinegar and a washing machine cleaning solution 90 degrees each week

I hope there’s a ferret update

Mine was the filter. There were two pennies, a rock and a sticker blocking it 😳 solved that prolem by cleaning it out.

Has he come from the 1970s?! What a bargain!

Run the drum clean cycle once a week
Use powder, not liquid or those gel things - they mould up your machine and leave gunk everywhere inside.

I bet this is the reason

Do a very hot empty wash with just a cupful of soda crystals. If you use conditioner and/or gel pods they are probably gumming up the machine with gunk. You may be amazed at the dirty looking foam that appears. I was - I had to do it twice!

I struggle so much to clean the filter.
It's right at the bottom ,a basic Bosch.
How do others with be this arrangement manage ?

I put a waterproof backed pad on the floor, put some absorbent cloths and old towels on the floor by the filter. It’s sure how much water there is!

Empty it into a baking tray or an old towel. It is a pain they are so low down. If you have the machine installed in a wet room or a "Waschkuche" then they often have a drain in the floor so it is practical but I don't think washing machine manufacturers had kitchens in mind when they designed this feature! Mind you, there is nowhere else for it to go really, as it has to be at the very bottom of the machine for gravity to make it work.

Whereabouts does Ferret Man live? And does he travel?

If you use bicarb & vinegar they neutralise each other & you'll end up with a salt & water. Use one or the other, not bothered.

Mould in the drawer area? Pull the drawer out and look inside

I use a baking tray with a lip all around it. Put it on the floor and direct the filter hose into it. Will need emptying into a larger container a few times.