Washing machine pods make clothes and machine smell

[onebornsecibd]

Ive always used powder but recently my new housemate has said that the washing machine has started to smell and also it did at her last place.

I've tried to clean the machine - bleach wash, vinegar wash etc, leaving door and tray open after use.

She uses the washing machine quite often - a bag of Daz pods have lasted about 6 weeks and there are 52 in a pack - I've used a few. She will use two per load of wash and multiple loads per week.

I've had the machine three years. I've not come across a smelly machine. Maybe it's because it's built in?

Sorts clothes by colours, including pastels, bedding etc....

I use pods, fabric softener (and sometimes laundry beads too) 2 per wash, usually at 40 degrees, 12kg machine and never had any issues with smells.

I do a towels wash once a week (at 60) with powder though.

Make sure you wipe the door seal out after each wash, leave the door open after taking laundry out, empty the filter every once a month, do a HOT maintenance wash once a week with Dr Beckmann washing machine cleaner and scrub the tray, plus the part where the tray goes with a bit of bio powder, screaming hot water and a toothbrush.

Can you persuade her that one capsule is enough? If she likes her washing smelling get her to use some of those smelly granules with the money she saves. Your machine will be full f slime & sludge. Definitely due a maintenance wash (if there's excess detergent being used the machine will fill with foam - maybe show her the results when you try it).

Our machine is 7kg and they say to use one pod up to 6kg.... she's not putting on a full wash so only needs to put one pod in, in my opinion.

I'm not paying for 52 hot washes a year lol.

She's weird about being things smelling clean so won't listen. Used fabric conditioner as well.

I used to used capsules for convenience (I have a communal laundry in the basement, so have to lug stuff down) - I found they weren't always dissolving and switched to liquid - Aldi or Lidl, so not premium brands.
I only ever use about half the recommended dose - aside from a stubborn curry stain last year, I don't get issues with things not being clean - doubling up is madness. I suspect the machine isn't rinsing properly because of the amount of crap she is chucking in.

Pods made my washing and machine stink. Changed back to powder and don't wash lower than 40. Haven't had the issue since

Two?? That’s a lot of detergent. Never use more than one and if using liquid or powder out about 1/3rd what they say in. It’s all a ploy to get you to use excessive amounts of detergent.

The packet says 2 pods for 6kg washes and above. Our machine is 7kg but I don't think it's ever full....

You never need as much as they say, even in hard water areas.

I think it's clear what the problem is. You either ask her to change or put up with it! There's no other way round it.

Pods are easy, no messuring etc but we went back to powder after similar smell AND finding the pod didn't fully dissolve, (only ever used 1 though) found residue around the seal etc.
Do a very hot wash (no clothes in), or more, to try and clear any residue. Give it a good clean down -drawer, seal, drum, filter.
Either ask only to use 1 or use powder x

Try washing soda crystals on an empty hot wash, no detergent.

Surely your machine, your rules?

Have you taken the hose off the back & cleaned that out?

No it's too awkward as built in.

I use pods, my machine doesn’t smell.

l do however, remove and thoroughly scrub both the filter and the drawer (l use bleach for the latter) on the first of every month and run a washing machine cleaner through it every 2 months without fail. In particular, if you use fabric conditioner, that part of the drawer can get gunged up.

Sounds like an awful lot of work

Today my cloth bra smells of damp..... the last place she lived she complained of a smelly washing machine. Time to have a word....

OP, lot of work? Remove and clean drawer, 10 mins absolute max. Washing machine cleaner, pour in and press a button. Rinse filter, 2 minutes, perhaps 3 to rinse and replace; washing machine manufacturers recommend every month.

You have asked about the problem, I’ve suggested a solution, one which also helps prevent breakdown, but it won’t clean itself. Washing machines need cleaning!

Why do they even make pods? To save the bother of scooping out powder and potentially spilling it? Do they smell better or what?

1 per wash, unless it's really filthy and a large load.

I can't remember the size of the machine - I think it's 8 kg, but it's rarely stuffed to the gunnels, except towels days

@fearfuloffluff - They keep the drawer and the pipework leading into the drum cleaner. I suspect there could be a profit element too, but the latter is guesswork.

Yes, it's fractionally easier to use - just chuck one in, rather than scoop and add.

But it's not exactly a difficult task they're saving you from.

Can be handy though if you have very limited space - because the price difference between smaller boxes of powder and the same sized box of pods isn't much. It's much cheaper however to use powder from big boxes.

Some pods include fabric conditioner now as well, don't they? Never sure if they're any good, as shouldn't the conditioner go in later in the cycle?

Whose house/washing machine is it?

She absolutely should be using one pod. Most manufacturers pods recommended a slightly higher dose than ideal anyway. She is massively overdosing the machine, which causes build up, bacteria growth and the smell