Smelly washing machine

[Doinmummy]

Quick question . My washing machine stinks ! Will cider vinegar chucked into the drum work as well as white wine vinegar? And if I use bleach will it affect the next wash?
Tia

I don't think bleach will make it less smelly and it might harm any rubber fittings. Any vinegar ought to work, but you can also buy sachets of stuff that you can bung in to clean it - or stuff like Calgon.

Ok thanks- no bleach then, I'll give the vinegar a go.

I used a dishwasher tablet in mine. It smelled lovely and clean afterwards and clothes weren't affected. (I used the tablet on an empty 60deg wash.)

I use vanish extra hygiene stain remover or the dettol anti bacterial washing additive when mine gets a bit smelly. Usually shove it in with a load of towels on a 90 degree hot wash and it seems to solve the problem.

Hottest wash with some biological powder and generally leave the door open if you can.

Give the rubber seal a good wipe around. I was shocked to discover the state of mine recently and no wonder there was a smell

Make sure you clean around the rubber seal separately, it doesn't get cleaned during the wash. I didn't do it the first time and couldn't figure out why it was still stinky

Wash the detergent drawer out and wipe the seal with anti-mould cleaner.

Run the machine empty with 1/2 the recommended dose of biological powder on the hottest possible wash

Keep the door open between loads

Use powder, not liquid. Liquid is dreadful for leaving your washer smelly and mouldy

Thanks for the tips. Vinegar didn't work. I've just wiped the seal- it was disgusting !!! I think I'll change to powder as opinion seems to be that liquid is not good. I'll give a dish washer tablet a go too.

I had a smelly machine, made some changes and solved the problem: cleaned it, all the seals etc, switched from liquid to powder and now leave door open to dry after i've unloaded it.

Get some Dr Beckmann washing machine cleaner. You just use it on a cycle empty. Quick and easy and takes any smells away. Make sure you also remove and scrub the powder draw beforehand.