Washing machine smells like death

[TestingTestingWonTooFree]

Foolishly I idly ran some washing machine cleaner a couple of days ago and now my machine absolutely mings. I’ve tried washing at 90 with soda crystals. I’ve tried a wash with bleach. It’s still smells a bit grim in there. Have I somehow dislodged the door of a portal to hell? What do I do next?

Do it again until it's clean. You've probably dislodged stuff but not cleared it out completely yet. In the future, use powder, 60° for bedding towels etc and NEVER USE FABRIC CONDITIONER.

Zoflora

I occasionally run a 90 degree wash and it always smells gross afterwards. I figure I’ve dislodged a load of grossness and it needs to dissipate.

Mine too! Didn't smell before, now smells awful. I never use fabric conditioner (but do use liquid detergent).

Isn't Zoflora basically perfume? I hate stinky fake smells, make me heave. Might be the lesser of two evils though.

White vinegar and soda crystals.

Put white vinegar in the detergent drawer, up to the 50ml line. Put a scoop of soda crystals directly in the drum and put it on a 90wash. If you want to go a step further, cap ullnif zoflora in the detergent drawer and set to rinse after.

I hate fake smells too, but there are lots of lovely Zoflora fragrances. Some horrible ones too. I sniff them before buying!

Soda crystals and vinegar together neutralise each other.

Boil wash with 600ml soda crystals in drum.

Then boil wash again with white vinegar (distilled Malt) in drum (use whole 500ml bottle since it's in such bad condition).

In future never use fabric conditioner and use washing powder not liquid and wash at 40.

Put baking soda in and run a cycle

Have you:

Emptied the filter?
Washed the detergent tray?
Wiped out the seals?

Sounds like you dislodged some stuff.

Do the above, then run on 60 with 500gm of soda crystals in the drum and white vinegar in the powder tray.

Another vote for white vinegar on a 90 degree wash, with no clothes or detergent

Agree with previous posters on vinegar / soda crystals advice. I was once loaned an old washing machine and I used this to freshen it up: www.popsugar.co.uk/smart-living/How-Clean-Your-Front-Loading-Washing-Machine-41413079

But also I am now (with new machine) quite fastidious about soaking up excess water in the inside ring of the door, as well as about cleaning out the tray.

I spent a long time on that loaned washing machine, cleaning the rubber ring in the door and and scrubbing the tray and the inside of the recess where the tray goes.

Basically, it's a bit of elbow grease and then just easier if you minimise the opportunities for old water to just sit.

We had to start using powder clothes washing detergent. Apparently the liquid builds up bacteria? Anyway, it worked and no more stinky washing machine.

When mine was mingling I ran a boil wash with a dishwasher tablet. I had to do it a couple of times. I now only use powder tablets and not liqutabs.

I love zoflora ( hence the username! ) and I get that you don't like strong smells but there is a lovely one that I use exclusively for the washing machine.

It's called Linen Fresh and doesn't smell sickly sweet, just clean. It's readily available. I will attach a pic for you.

I have some linen fresh zoflora somewhere. Have tried soda crystals but not with vinegar.

I have cleaned the filter. It was horrible. That’s probably what happens if you don’t do it every two months like it recommends.

Guess I’ll have to switch to washing powder. We currently use liquid.

My friend has 5 dc so does a LOT of washing and she swears by a 90 degree wash once a week to keep it nice.

I hardly ever use 90 myself so bought some washing machine cleaner. It worked.
It is from a brand called "purge" ( what a name! )