Do washing pods make your machine smell?

[WillTheRealDeanGaffneyPleaseStandUp]

I've used eco eggs for years but they aren't strong enough for teenage boys in hot weather smells so I switched to pods (Fairy). I've been using them for about 2 months. I double rinse the clothes.

I do regular service washes, always leave the door open etc. I have never had a smelly washing machine. But now my machine stinks! I've just put it on the longest, hottest cycle with a vinegar prewash.

But I'm surprised by how much foam there is in the machine which is obviously from left over pods/detergent. Is this what has made my machine so smelly? Are all pods like this?

We literally have nowhere to store a box of powder. Plus this is the only non ecoegg stuff I've used that hasn't had my family moaning about being itchy.

I use powder for everything (except woolies) and put it directly in the drum with the laundry on top.

Liquids and pods are definitely not as good at keeping the machine clean - my washing machine repair guy told me.

Powder is more environmentally friendly and way cheaper too. Lidl Formil has the most beautiful gentle "barely there" fragrance.

I saw an interview with someone in the washing machine industry. He said that the reason they smell is that more and more people and relying on the shorter wash cycles, at a lower temperature. If you’re constantly using the quick wash type cycles (as I do), that could be the issue.

The problem is the liquid, it doesn’t dissolve. You need to swap to powder.

If the machine is still smelly after your hot maintenance cleans and if the gasket is clean, check the filter. The only time my machine smelt bad was when something metal was trapped in the filter and slime built up around it.

I use Dylon liquid detergent for colour laundry loads, but Sainsbury's Bio Powder for all whites and hot 60° towel/ bedding loads. This together with drum cleans when prompted by the machine, seems to be enough to keep it all clear.

I didn’t use Ariel for years because it made my skin itchy but I tried it again a couple of years and it doesn’t anymore and I really like it. My mum is happy with Lidl powder and she’s really fussy.

I once found a twig in my filter. I say twig. It was sapling sized! 🤣 That made a huge mess because it had jammed and was stopping me from being able to empty out the water before moving the screw thing with the filter.

After that I started cleaning the filter after every service wash. That lasted a few months!

My machine doesn't smell, and I use the same pods as you OP, however I do find that if I don't use a hot wash now and then (60c), it does start to pong. Try a couple of hot washes and see if it improves.

I had this exact same issue - spent hours and hours re washing things, doing 90 degree empty washes, clean machine products etc etc - eventually following a bit of internet sleuthing realised these pods were almost certainly the issue and raised a complaint - after much haggling and providing pack barcode proof I got a voucher refund. I now use dip laundry sheets, everything smells of fresh laundry including my machine - I would never go back.to pods.

I’ve just had the same problem with fairy pods. Bought two boxes. I’ve used them before. The washing has stopped coming clean on the last few pods and the machine smelt bad. so I’ve done a hot wash for the machine but still smells. Not sure what to do. I won’t be buying their pods every again.

@WillTheRealDeanGaffneyPleaseStandUp , Fairy washing powder is great. We have very sensitive skin and never had a problem. Or Aldi non-bio, Good Housekeeping sad it is as good as Fairy so I switched to it and it is great.

I had to stop using liquid wash as the washing and my machine all smelt awful. An engineer told me it was the liquid.

Also, NEVER use vinegar in your washing machine - it destroys the seal; I had to pretend I didn’t use it when an engineer came to fix my leaking machine. I had started using vinegar in the wash after reading about it on here!

I recommend dip laundry sheets too. Lovely

Thatr's exactly what I do except I use non bio powder for whites as my husband reacts to biological. I also have a special liquid for silk/wool with no optical brighteners

Never had a problem with pods, just the price of them! I now also use laundry sheets & my machine smells fine. I currently buy Dr Beckmann brand but not completely keen on the scent. Have a different brand on order from best buys website. If i don’t like the smell I can use them to wash the dog blankets!

Thank you 👍

Always use Fairy only one my skin will tolerate never had a smell it is 3 in one pods so should not smell

Wouldn’t it be easier to just use liquid in the first place?

Liquid detergents are awful for smelly residues. Powder comes in small boxes too, so I don't see how you can store pods but not powder tbh.

Leave the door and drawer ajar between uses to allow it to dry and prevent mould and mildew build up.

Yes, they do!
We had a smell issue a couple of years ago with our machine- could not get rid of it. We had the engineer out regarding a different problem and asked him about it. Straight away he asked if we used liquid or pods, which we did. He said that was the problem- it leaves residue behind and that's what smells. Switched to powder and haven't had a problem since!

You can put it straight into the drum :) Either use a dosing ball for this, which you can order for free on the website of any laundry detergent maker, or you can use the scoop (again order for free or use whatever) to tip it on top of the clothes or underneath them, wherever you'd usually put the pod.

If you do want to use the drawer, usually the biggest section or the one marked II is the main section for the main wash, a smaller or equal section marked I will be for pre-wash (which is handy in case you want to rinse something before or use separate treatments for pre-wash and main wash) and the section which is marked with a flower and is a weird shape, often with a plastic insert thing in it, is for fabric conditioner or anything else you want added to the final rinse cycle and not rinsed out.

TBH I have often found the drawers in washing machines pretty terrible for distributing the detergent so I usually just put it straight into the drum, the exception is my current machine (LG) which has a brilliant drawer, it never has any gunk left in it and all the powder seems to make it into the machine.

I've used them for several years and I've not noticed any issues with my washing machine smelling bad. I do run washing machine cleaner through the machine about once every couple of months.

Thanks @BertieBotts that's very helpful!

I grate coal tar soap, and use a teaspoon of grated soap flakes in a smelly wash. Don’t use anymore than a teaspoon though or you’ll get loads of foamy soap suds in your washing machine drum! . Cleans clothing really well although it won’t get out heavy stains. Alternatively Boots do not scented, non bio soap flakes. No scent and ideal for sensitive / eczema prone skin.

I think Coal tar soap is such a marmite product isn't it. I bought some years ago after people raving about how clean and lovely it smelt... I had to throw it away. 🤣 it took me a while to figure out what was making my house smell so bad though!

I use persil pods. 2 per load. Don't have an issue with a smelly machine or it foaming up on a cleaning cycle.

I use Aldi washing pods, they don't make my extremely sensitive-skinned husband itch and my washing machine doesn't smell.