Do washing pods make your machine smell?

80 replies

WillTheRealDeanGaffneyPleaseStandUp · 19/07/2026 17:06

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.

OP posts:

Shhhhdonottell · 20/07/2026 19:33

Yes. Tesco pods do. I, for some reason, have a box and every now and then I use them and regret it. They also make your clothes go musty quicker than powder does in my opinion. I don’t use softener either.

Original poster

WillTheRealDeanGaffneyPleaseStandUp · 22/07/2026 23:27

AvogadrosNumber · 20/07/2026 12:44

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.

The box of pods sits on top of the washing machine (no kids or pets likely to be tempted by them). I'd be worried that the machine vibrating will knock over an open box of powder.

OP posts:

Original poster

WillTheRealDeanGaffneyPleaseStandUp · 22/07/2026 23:29

BertieBotts · 20/07/2026 16:16

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.

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Thanks for this. One of the things I hated about powder was the gunky drawers. It never occurred to me that you could just put it in the drum!

OP posts:

Parcelpass · 22/07/2026 23:30

Buy white vinegar and spray underarm area. Leave for about 1 hour and put in the wash.

ByRoseBiscuit · 22/07/2026 23:33

I hate the pods - the washing doesn’t smell
fresh and I always find black stains on my white washing when using them, and yes the machine gets smelly as well, The only way to get the smell I like is powder and fabric softener, and never have a problem with the machine smelling then either

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