HELP with smelly washing machine

[savy57]

Washing machine was fine before I went on holiday I did empty it before I left but I stupidly closed the door on it
Came back from our two week holiday about 4 weeks ago, machine is used daily but it still smells a bit fostie and my washing isn't smelling to fresh either :(
Any ideas what I can do to fix this?

Put it on two empty washes on the highest temp, one after the otherm should sort it.

And use bio powder for those washes.

When you say bio powder do you just mean bio soap powder, i only use non bio as ds is alergic to everything else so will go buy some try sort this awful smell out
Thanks alot for advice much appreciated

The best way I have always found to clean a smelly washing machine is to put a cycle through with just a very small amount of bleach in followed by a cycle with just water.

There is no point in specifically using bio powder above 40C as you will denature the enzymes.

I run a very hot wash with a bottle of white vinegar in the drum, followed by another very hot wash with bio powder. Do it every few months or so as DHs greasy mechanic's overalls are fantastic at clogging it up and leaving a pong. I think Kim & Aggie say use bicarbonate of soda instead of the bio powder but not tried that.

Well bugger me, I've just come in this forum to look for advice specifically for this problem. I've washed baby clothes this morning ready for a new arrival and am convinced they stink and that my machine is the cause.

I have read on the Internet today about using white vinegar and/or bicarbonate of soda, have heard bleach mentioned a fair few times too. I opted for a 95 degree wash with 2 Milton tablets, and the best part of a litre bottle of Milton chucked in as well for good measure. That's all I had in the cupboard . I will let you know the outcome when the cycle finishes.

I am wondering tho, if it is anything to do with the fabric softener I have used. Early in this pregnancy I totally went off Comfort, and I know I've had trouble in the past with a smelly machine (convinced the clothes and machine were stinky, but only me who thought so) so I switched to Fairy softener, and I've very very rarely rewashed a load since switching...in the past DH used to be infuriated with me for rewashing loads I was sure smelt terrible, now I am wondering if all along I just didn't get on well with the smell of Comfort! . Except I'd bought Comfort this week, to wash baby stuff as I find it leaves things softer and was on special offer, making it cheaper. Grr.

FYI - non bio powder contains bleaching agents, as far as I know this is to make up for the lack of enzymes? Bio detergents are designed to work at lower temperatures, as a previous poster mentioned.

The hottest wash my machine does is a 90 so I've put it on that with just a big lid full of fairy non bio will see how that works, if not I will try bicarb soda thanks again

Skip that just went into kitchen and my machine appears to be leaking a small amount of water, any ideas Why this is is it because theres nothing in it?

Eek! Is it cos of the hot water maybe, could be it's found it's way through a tiny gap somewhere

My Milton didn't do that good a job by the way! it definitely smells fresher but I should have scrubbed the rubbery seals by hand first I think to get best results. Have scrubbed them now, plus soaked and scrubbed the powder/softener drawer (more Milton), have got some bicarbonate now so have added that to yet another 95 wash.

How is the leak now?

I had this problem in the past and now avoid it by running the hottest wash I can with 3 dishwasher tablets in the drum. I just do it every now and again or when it starts getting a but pongy. Also, someone mentioned rubbing down the rubber seals- this helps too- I use w/up liq as I am sure it's oiliness off clothes and from fabric softener.

Yeah thankfully leaks ok think it was naybe just hot water found a little hole I guess I will find out when I put on my next load but washing machine is much fresher :)

I have stopped using liquid soap in the machine. The powders and tablets have bleaching agents which clean the machine during each wash. I was told to use powders or tablets by a washing machine engineer. Also once a week I put any whites that can withstand it on a 90 degree wash cycle.

Mrswoz to be honest you are better off not using fabric conditioner when washing baby clothes anyway as it can cause a skin reaction even using fairy.

teaspoon of bicarb of soda and a hot wash will do the trick.

Re: fabric softener. My machine finally stopped being smelly after I stopped using fabric softener all together. Apparently it encourages mould in the machine. Worked for me but I do miss fabric softener. I sometimes use the sheets that go in the dryer to compensate.

Ooh - the fabric softener might explain the mould in my machine, which is my problem. Anyone know how to get rid of the mould, from the places I can't reach with a bottle brush?