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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

why does my washing machine stink!?

30 replies

olatt · 27/10/2006 15:14

My washing machine smells as though something has died in it while eating an onion. Why would this be and what can I do? we inherited it when we bought the house and it is quite old. Also i use washable nappies, but the smell isn't poo. Sorry. This is vile. Apologies but advice welcome!

OP posts:
Apronscreams · 27/10/2006 15:21

people on here have suggested baking soda in the wash before.
yOURS SOUNDS VERY LIKE MINE - inherited with house, and stank - I also got a lot of gre/brown scum under the rubber seal round the door. Well last week it died on me. The pump was full of junk - coins, a nail, a credit card. I had to have a new pump. The scummy stuff is going, it smells a lot better (smell has almost disappeared) and it is REALLY washing better

cost was $250 (i am in usa) Wish I had called someone in yonks ago

twelveyeargap · 27/10/2006 15:29

Might be a silly question but does the machine have a filter and if so, have you cleaned it out? If there is old tissue/ lint and gunk in the filter the water will sit around it and go stale and stink out your clothes. Happened to me when I moved into a rented flat.

Apronscreams · 27/10/2006 15:39

oh yes that is the place to start - put something under it and have an old towel ready to mop up the water

My usa machine din't have one

JessaJackOLantern · 27/10/2006 15:43

I agree, shove several towels on the floor, open the filter and have a poke around...good luck.

Am wheezing with laughter about something dying while eating an onion

Beafryd2veryafrydnervesleft · 27/10/2006 15:48

Aggie from How Clean Is Your House advises that you do a couple of empty cycles with powder but at no less than 60 degrees. Apparently the sweat and generally muck on our clothes cannot be broken down in 40 degree wash and this acculmulates as those little black spots on the seal and door? shudder

Apronscreams · 27/10/2006 15:50

NICE!!

Beafryd2veryafrydnervesleft · 27/10/2006 15:56

Reading her column in the Saturday Times takes nerves of steel and a strong consitution, But it has given me knowledge to help my fellow woman.

Apronscreams · 27/10/2006 16:05

just put the bedding in on a hot wash(friday fly)

Mum2FunkyDude · 27/10/2006 16:12

I've also read on a thread about putting a cup of vinegar instead of powder in for a cycle at 60 degrees. Build up of limescale could also be part of the problem and vinegar gets rid of this.

Sheraz · 27/10/2006 16:29

My machine smells of garlic - at least there's no vampires in it.

babe1 · 27/10/2006 18:53

Mum2funkydude is right about the vinegar. Every so often I bung a cupful of white vinegar inside, and give it a run through. Keeps nasty niffs at bay. This is gross, but I'm going to say it anyway - if my kids step in dog poo whilst wearing trainers (school or other shoes is a different matter) I can't bear to clean them by hand, so in the machine they go. Once done, I then run some disinfectant through on it's own.

Sheraz · 28/10/2006 15:08

I just ran a cycle with a cupful of Zoflora at 60 degrees - smells like a rose garden now...want to stick my head in the drum!

fizzbuzz · 28/10/2006 15:32

There are various reasons why washing machines smell, and it is a real pain in the arse.
1)Use of phosphates in powder was outlawed in 1980's, so cleaning is less abrasive, and not as thorough.
2) Contant washing at low temperatures doesn't get machine clean properly. It may be good for environment, but not for washing machine.You are meant to run the machine on at least 2 90C a week.
3)Use of liquid rather than powder, means washing is less abrasive. Also liquid and those little plastic pillows of liquid can cause a horrible build up of blak slime which transfers itself to clothes and can stain them
I try and run very hot wash twice a week but it still smells.
Other tips are leaving door open when not in use, running vinegar through a wash cycle, and putting a box of soda crystals in machine, and leaving it with door open for 2 days.
All these work on a temporary basis, but the problem is really the detergents

lorina · 28/10/2006 18:59

When you arent using the machine you must leave the door open and the powder drawer open too.

If the seal round the door has gone mouldy then nothing will shift it, but a new one is only about a tenner .Easy to DIY ,dont pay someone to do it.

If you use vinegar/bleach/soda crystals etc to clean it out put them into the drawer,not the drum, then it will clean the tubes at the top as well as the drum.

Original poster
olatt · 28/10/2006 19:10

wow! thank you - the zoflora thing sounds good. will start trying these things. i did put it on at 60 with nothing but washing liquid but there's still a bit of a whiff to it beneath the scent of the detergent.

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 28/10/2006 20:28

Errr... I know this is dumb..but what is zoflora..?

gremlin · 28/10/2006 21:34

We had the same prob. Mum-in-law who is a domestic goddess said to run 3 hottest washes with detergent. Should clear it. Prob for us was caused because we kept the door closed after each wash. are you leaving the door open?

Zog · 28/10/2006 21:36

gremlin, surely olatt should buy a new one

Sheraz · 28/10/2006 22:38

Zoflora is an antiseptic liquid but with a strong floral scent. comes in a little bottle next to bleach. Bought it ages ago and never knew where to use it, until now,,,,,,,

PumpkinMilkshake · 28/10/2006 22:52

Check the powder draw, depending n what detergents you use sometimes they can block and water can accumulate there and start to smell.

Also run the hotest wash you can as it will wash out your drainage pipe. As suggested by apronscreams with white linen, tea towels - something that can take the heat or wont matter being boiled. Was advised by a plumber never to run a maching empty. Shame on Aggy for not explaing that!

Am goimng to get myself some Zoflora now!

Sheraz · 28/10/2006 23:03

Don't use too much as it is very strong smelling, I used about 1/4 bottle today in drawer, my next wash smelt a bit flowery, but not disclouored.

PumpkinMilkshake · 28/10/2006 23:09

Thanks. Always wondered what you could use it on....

Will give DH some to wash the bins with as well - I dont do bins....yeuch

Sheraz · 28/10/2006 23:11

Good idea - can't believe I am discussing this on A Saturday night - beats Match Of the Day though

Ellaroo · 28/10/2006 23:11

Does anyone know what will help with this then? (sorry for hijacking, Olatt!) - our washing machine throws out the most horrendous egg smell when it's draining and the smell comes up through the sink plugholes!!!! (it is plumbed in through the sink). Everything about it smells though - sometimes egg smell lingers in washing machine too. Makes us want to wretch and really embarrassing. What can we do??????

PumpkinMilkshake · 28/10/2006 23:29

Ellaroo, I would get a plumber to chek your drains for a blockage. We had one that got so bad it backlogged and spilled through WM waste pipe on to kitchen floor. That's why i was told to do regular hot washes to keep risk of blockage down.