Smelly washing machine, tips?

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

The previous tenants were filthy (to put it mildly) and we have only just got the stale smoke/BO smell out of the house.

But the washing machine is disgusting. So is the fridge even after a deep clean. But as the washing machine makes our clothes stink we are more concerned about it.

Is running a 90degree wash enough? Where could the smell be coming from?

run a 90 degree wash cycle, a slug of white vinegar in the drum and the draw, might do it?

Thanks. We have run a 90 degree wash with some vinegar so will see if that helps.

Your local hardware store or amazon do stuff for smelly washing machines, sometimes though its a new machine you need if problem is too ingrained, I tried loads of products on mine but ended up after six months of trying getting new machine, my old one smelt like something had died in it and just wouldn't shift !

It really is bad. The stench hits you as soon as you open the door.

The state the house was left in is just shocking tbh and we really dont want to have to say to the LL about a new machine on top of everything else. Feel a bit sorry for him really.

If the empty wash doesnt work we will just have to get the cleaning stuff and see if that helps!

For the fridge, pour a teaspoon of Milton down the little hole inside, at the bottom.

Thanks, will try that!

The seals around the door of the fridge stank of stale smoke and booze so once they were cleaned that was half the problem. But it still smells.

Pull the drawer out and get scrubbing inside- likely to have mould inside it.

Ditto seals etc. get some watered down bleach and scrub with an old toothbrush. Use the brush to get as far down the back of the drawer thing too.

Keep the door open. It needs to airiate (sp). Every time it goes in make sure you leave the door open to dry out properly.

Try taking the drawer out of the washing machine and giving that a good clean as they often get gunked up and go black and mouldy.

Also, check the filter/outlet thingy (usually behind a little flap at the front) just in case thats blocked with something nasty.

hot hot hot water, no soap, a cup of washing soda. If the water goes grey and foams up, that's the old sludge dissolving. Do it again until the water stays clean.

Take out and clean the pump filter and the soap drawer. Scrub the grooves in the door seal.

Lakeland has loads of stuff for cleaning washing machines. Once you've got it to a reasonable state (I concur with the looking for black mouldy stuff in the drawer and cleaning that) then you can use a packet of their stuff once a month on a high temp and hopefully it will get better over time.

Do all the above, but also put a few drops of tea tree oil in every wash. It's not an instant solution, but over time keeps the machine germ and mould free.