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?

It's liquid.

Mine. I don't want to controlling though...

Pods can be easier for people who struggle to open containers and pour stuff. But 2 does seem excessive

Pods and conditioner do gum up the machine with gunge.

If you try an empty hottest wash with just soda crystals, you may well be amazed at the amount of dirty grey foam that appears. I know I was - I had to do it twice. No pods or conditioner after that - now I just use powder in the drum, and only about half what I once used, with soda crystals in the drawer. Every time.

My machine smells and it never occurred to me to switch to powder.

Thank you Mumsnet!

There's a thread in AMA from a while ago about washing powder if you want to look for it.

Ah, come on. She's a lodger then, not a housemate. Set some rules around washing machine usage - as well as this type of usage not being good for the machine it must be costing you a fortune in water and electricity (assuming her rent includes bills). I'd say powder only, and no more than 3 washes a week. If she doesn't like it, direct her to the nearest launderette.

I use pods. I live on my own and I find them convenient, rather than having a packet of powder sitting around for ages and possibly spilling in the cupboard.

My washing machine doesn't smell but I never use more than one pod even with a towel wash.

What I have found though, is that if you're washing on a low temperature the pods sometimes don't completely dissolve properly. So if I'm washing anything on a low temperature I use a liquid detergent, usually Woolite.

I suspect her ridiculous over use of the pods is cogging up the pipes in the machine and causing the nasty smells.

You need to toughen up OP and put some rules in place.

It's your home and your machine and if she ruins it you're the one who will have to pay to replace it.

Also can't believe that you're paying for the pods in the first place. Why doesn't she pay for her own washing detergent.

A washing machine engineer once advised me never to use pods, the residue does not dissolve especially at lower temperatures and builds up causing smells. He said it's like trying to dissolve fat with cold water.

She buys her own pods?

I was just planning a new washing machine at the weekend, mine was smelling so bad and making my clothes smell too. I’d tried absolutely everything I could think of, then decided to try a 90’ wash as a last resort. It’s perfect ,I’m so relieved!

@onebornsecibd Sorry OP. I somehow misread that you were paying for the pods.

Not only is she using pods, but shes using double the recommended amount. So shes buggering up the washing machine and polluting the water table as well! Tell her no pods / liquid detergent from now on.

I moved to powder about a year ago - I use Aldi’s own brand and it’s really good (and really cheap). I also do a 90 degree wash fortnightly for bedding and towels, plus a 60 degree wash weekly for socks and underwear.
I dont want my clothes to smell of anything TBH - apart from the very expensive perfume I wear 😂