why are my clothes coming out smelling musty?

[littleblackdress26]

they smell as if they've been sat in the washing machine for a couple of days when I actually take them out straight away.
does my machine need a deep cleaning?

I expect so.

How do you dry them?

Have you taken out and cleaned the filter?

Maybe run an empty cycle. I use vinegar in each wash but maybe google maintenance wash.

Agree about drying, don't let them hang about too long.

Stick a pint of white vinegar in the drum and put it on the longest hottest wash! You should deep clean it about twice a year according to Kim and Aggie. Also give the rubber seal around the door a gentle scrub to remove any mildew that might be there. You should leave it ajar alter every use to prevent mould as the machine is damp 😊

Do you use those tablets that go straight in the drum? I read recently that using powder in the draw means it keeps all the workings fresh and that doesn't happen if the detergent goes straight in the drum. I don't know if this is true but might be worth a try.

I dry them on an airer it was all fine until recently.
ooh I haven't looked at the filter maybe that's why ?

yeah I wipe the seal down, keep it ajar after ive used it and I use powder hmm.

ok so check filter / deep clean with vinegar?

What temps do you wash at? Only 60 degree wash or over kill bacteria.

Lots of people never wash at 60 or 90 anymore, so you get a build up of bacteria and smells.

Using softener makes things worse too

yes to 'service wash'. any wash hot enough will do.
I personally wash tea towels at 75 or higher with just soda crystals every other week or so.
filter gets cleaned every 6 months the couns are mine to keep

Yes, cheap white vinegar, just throw it in the drum (empty obviously) and put it on the longest hottest wash

I never wash below 60 and I never get fusty washing.

ahhh I see I wash general whites and darks at 40 and then sheets towels underwear at 60 .
these are great tips thank you!
how much vinegar or soda crystals would I throw in ?
and the soda crystals go in the drawer I'm guessing?

I do a couple of big glugs of vinegar in the fabric softener compartment and 1 vanish scoop of soda crystals I use a scoop of soda crystals in every wash but the vinegar I only use in place of fabric softener for towels.

ah ok thank you .

Are you using liquid or tab detergent? If so, switch to powder as the lack of bleaching agents in the liquid products means the warm wet environment inside the machine becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.

Wipe out and clean all the seals, clean the dispenser drawer thoroughly too.

Run bio powder on an empty drum at 90 with a big slug of Zoflora in the conditioner tray.

i use Persil non bio powder and comfort conditioner . I've just run some soda crystals through so I'm praying that will sort it. if not I've got zoflora and vinegar ready . thanks for replying

by the way a pp said they run vinegar through with their towels , what does vinegar do to clothes?

That was me, it does the same to clothes as it does to towels, it softens them. perfectly fine to use in clothes in place of fabric softener. The reason I use it for towels is that fabric softener leaves a coating on towels (and everything really) that reduces the absorbency of them so I don't use it on them. Clothes don't really need to be absorbent and I like the smell of fabric softener so I use it on clothes.

ah I understand now ! thanks

I had this. I found that it was using non-bio gel that was the problem. I'm now using bio Ariel, and my washing smells fab.

(Sorry, that should say 'now using bio Ariel powder')

I alternate between Surf liquid and a powder, sometimes a Surcare wash. Mostly on 40 or 60 for general laundry. I run a hot wash, 90 is the hottest on our machine, every so often with washing soda to freshen it up but have actually never had a problem with it smelling. I clean out the rim of the door and wipe it and always leave the door ajar. Also take out the drawer and bleach it.

I have never used gel or anything with Febreze but have had some awful smelling liquids that were disposed of after one use and they seemed to hang around in the machine for a while. I have serious doubts about some of the commercial laundry products these days and am planning on going back to the eco ones once we run out.