Why does my washing machine smell?

[Murtette]

My washing machine smells and has done since last Saturday. I have done all of the tricks that I can think of - taken out the drawer and cleaned it; wiped all around the inside of the door; done a hot wash with soda crystals or whatever they're called; had the door wide open whenever possible so it gets a chance to air - and it hasn't made a difference. It still smells and so do the clothes that have been washed in there in the past week. Its a damp, musty smell.

What else can I do?

Are you using liquid wash? If so, stop, it makes machines stink. If not, not sure, run a hot wash with white vinegar in.

I do a boil wash with dishwasher tablets, then another with nothing in when my machine gets smelly. Sorts it out a treat

I mean liquitabs

I have to drain any build up of musty water out.
On my machine there is a little hatch on the bottom of the front, open it up and let the gunk out.

yes, empty out the filter and scrub the grooves in the door seal, BUT

when you give it a 90 degrees hot wash with no clothes, no soap, just a cup of washing soda, it will start to break down the old soap sludge. It may not remove it all in one go. If the water foams up and goes grey, that is the old soap sludge dissolving. Do it again until it stays clear.

Engineer told me its because we use non bio detergent and wash at low temps. Need to regularly run machine with bio detergent and at least 40 degrees

I've used powder in the detergent drawers for ages now. I will do some more hot washes & see what happens. DP tried to be helpful & took the washing out as soon as the cycle finished yesterday and then shut the door & I didn't notice until this morning!!

Top tips here! How about the tumble drier? If I tumble dry my clothes even though they are dry they can still have a damp smell IYKWIM any tips?

they are probably picking up mould from inside the washer. What temp do yiu use (1) to wash (2) to clean the washer?

I'm doing a 90 wash in our spare washing machine (long story it doesnt belong to me) and the water is full of suds and grey.

Just vile. I can myself doing it more than once to get it clean.

I use liquid, will be changing to powder! Thanks for the tips, just want my tumble drier to smell nice now.

If I don't td the clothes they smell fresh so it must be something I haven't cleaned properly in the TD.

I put mine in the drum not the drawer.

That could change as I've told DH to do his own damn washing so I dont know how he intends to use the machine.

XBenedict

you do of course keep the fluff filter clean.

Is it a condensor, or, what route does the hose take, and is it heavy as if steam has condensed in it?

It"s a condenser. I clean the fluffer thing almost everytime.