Smelly washing machine

[poppynic]

We have moved into a rental property with a Neff washer/dryer which has a nasty, pervasive smell. It was just bearable when I could hang the clothes out to dry but without a day in the sun the clothes keep the washing machine's nasty smell. Does anyone have any ideas about (a) how to get rid of the smell, or (b) how to convince our very unwilling agents to provide a new machine? Thanks

can't you do a really hot wash(90 degrees or something) and pour lots of vinegar in the dispenser?

Open up the sump (there should be a hatch at the bottom front of the machine) and drain it. Then a 90deg wash with distilled white vinegar or white malt vinegar in all the dispensers should do the trick.

You can buy a one-off washing machine cleaner in hardware shops and some big supermarkets.
Otherwise, do you have a copy of the instructions? If not, ask the agents to get hold of them, if they can't- demand a new machine! Have you been cleaning the filter?
Once you have got it clean or a new one, try using a drop or 2 of lavender oil in the softener drawer.

Thanks, but have done the 90 deg wash with vinegar trick, and also with baking soda. Have cleared out the sump - seems to have lime scale in it although of course the manufacturers' booklet says there won't be!