AIBU? To think that a lot of people aren't drying their washing properly these days?

[Oobiedoobiedo]

I notice a lot when I'm out and about people who haven't dried their washing properly *, and so it has that sour musty smell washing gets when it's wet too long or isn't getting enough air. To me it's a really "loud" smell, and I just wonder if people don't notice it? Or maybe don't care?

*disclaimer: I'm not critiquing people whose circumstances mean they can't dry them any other way, I have been there myself, but the people who could dry it correctly but don't.

It just puzzles me.

I'm not in the UK so our detergents might differ, but I changed to liquid for black/dark clothing as I was getting bleached spots on the clothes. Since I changed I haven't seen any, so while I prefer to use powder I won't on very dark items - other colours are okay.

To be frank, it's not worth one iota of up your time or thought on this. It's not your laundry. I'd save your time and energy for something really important that concerns you personally.

@T1Dmama

I wonder if it’s when a wash load is too full so it doesn’t wash/rinse properly

I think you might be onto something here, I’m guilty of putting too many clothes in the drum I think.

This is what i would do, if I had a garden for a washing line. Or an airing cupboard.

@AuntMarch The difference between town & rural living. I have a washing line & an airing cupboard.

You probably have shops & takeaways 🙂

Extra spin solves that. In Autumn in the phase when clothes don’t dry quickly I’m the house, there can be problems with laundry smell before heating goes on but this year it’s still hot

I came on to say this. I think it’s a washing issue more than a drying one, and specifically an ‘overloading the washing machine’ issue. I noticed that smell a few months ago with my own washing. I was having to wash some things twice to make sure they didn’t stink, so thought maybe doing smaller loads would help. Sure enough, the problem went away immediately once I started doing smaller loads. We have a good tumble dryer, so I know it wasn’t the drying that was the problem.

The worst is if a machine has been overloaded, then the laundry is left in the washer longer than it should be once finished, and THEN it doesn’t have a chance to fully dry. It’s a very strong stale/sour smell.

Maybe it's just me but I appreciate it if people have taken the trouble to put on clean clothes and brush their teeth. I really don't mind if they didn't iron their shirt or air out their clothes, they made an effort to be presentable. That's all that counts in my book.

Also washing machines use less rinse water as an environmentally friendly feature. Annoying if you live in a part of the country with ample rain. In fact they probably also use less wash water.
And you can’t vary the amount of detergent to suit the amount of washing if you use those blobs instead of powder.

I have a 9kg washer, but only one program is actually for 9kg and it takes 2.5hrs. All the quicker washes hold far less and if you press the quick wash button, it halves the load weight.
I know this because my machine tells me, but on less high spec machines I assume you'd need to refer to the manual or remember the weights for each wash. Also who really knows what 4kg of clothes looks or feels like?

I do fill the machine and press quick wash, because I can't wait 2.5hrs.
It's no wonder people's clothes don't get clean.
It also makes a mockery of eco ratings, as people are washing things twice, adding rinses or using more detergent.

Yes this is exactly my situation, it’s a 9kg machine, and the 60 minute power wash only takes 5kg. I’ve learned my lesson now, and also next time will just go for the Miele instead of the AEG. 😕

The quick wash on our washing machine is 15 mins. My Dad’s washing machine takes ages - it tells you 35 mins wash, then 14 mins rinse, 10 mins spin, 1 mins pump. Sooo long winded

I’ve very late to this thread but I just had to comment as I can’t stand that musty smell and wondered if anyone else felt the same. I’ve been told I have a very sensitive nose so maybe i’m more aware but sometimes people will walk past in a supermarket and you just get a whiff of mustyness, as if their towel has been left to dry screwed up in a ball. I know, I sound like a terribly judgemental person, it does make me ridiculously conscious of how my own clothes smell!

I doubt you have a more sensitive nose, you just happen to be sensitive to that smell. I find perfumes, strongly scented deodorant and fabric conditioners very off putting because they give me a headache, so I’m alert to them

My friend had to stop using them. They were causing her machine to stink.

She solved it by running several washes at ninety degrees.

I recently had a reaction to the new formula Fairy non-bio. I've never had a problem with any bio products.

I think a lot of people overdose their detergents and modern machines don't use enough water to rinse properly. Anything from the scent or detergent itself will cause irritation.

https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/about-whitegoodshelp-andy-trigg/ is a really good sight with lots of useful info on how to look after your machine.

This post is relevant: https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/potential-health-risks-from-washing-machines-old-hot-water-tap/

Will a Miele be any better though, as I think it's the manufacturers trying to meet eco standards which are causing many of the issues. I imagine Miele are quite green. Mine is a Siemens, it's my third Siemens in 30yrs, the other two were flawless.