Possibly most boring thread ever... my washing machine smells :(

[Loonybun]

I don't understand why it smells bad but it does. Like a mould / damp type smell.

I use whatever washing powder is cheapest at the time (currently using Tesco washing liquid tablets and lenor softener) and I regularly do my towels on a 90 degree wash just to give it a good steam cleaning.. or so I thought, but now it really doesn't smell nice at all!

What am I doing wrong??

mine did smell but i bought some tablets to wash the washing machine (like calgon but not as expensive) and it took the smell away I bought them from morrisons in a white box and it cost about £2

Do you keep the door closed when not in use?

It may be that the waste pipe and/or drain is blocked. We had the same problem, cleaned out the drain (nice job) and the pong disappeared. Probably worth trying the calgon tablets first though.

Oh my giddy aunt!

Are you new to mumsnet?

If you do a search you'll find it's compulsory to do a maintenance wash on your machine or all the other MNers will seek you out and judge you

Seriously though, you're not alone and it's easily fixed with a hot wash with either vinegar, bicarb or maybe a squirt of bleach. Best done once a month or two to stop it getting to pong point.

I put mine on a 90 degree wash with bleach in the drawer around once a fortnight. Started doing it because of the smell. Then put it on an 40 degree wash after the first has finished with nothing in it to make sure all the bleach is rinsed away.

I have NEVER maintenance washed any machine I ever had and I have never had a smelly machine!

I use half of the manufacturer's recommended dosage for detergent
Never wash at less than 40 degrees (occasional wool wash excepted)
majority of washes are 60 degrees --I like my washig to be clean, not swooshed in murky sludge water
Leave the damned door open and wipe the rubber seal as often as I remember.

I am reasonably new to mumsnet :)

I always leave the door open... I'm going to have a look for those tablets thank you..

I did a 90 degree empty wash last night with some bleach in it (god knows whether this going to destroy the next load but I will put the whites in next).

It's just so annoying as I do loads of washing every day and it's making the kitchen smell horrid too..

Thanks for the tips.

have you checked / cleaned the filter?

Use the advanced search button and search for the words washing machine in thread titles only for the past couple of years. Loads of threads will come up. I think at one point mnhq said it was the most common thread on here!

Oh I've heard of this before, it starts to smell then you're clothes have green bits of mould on them. Its's time for a new washing machine, before it's too late it'll wreck your clothes.