Washing mystery! Help!! Only new clothes smell fresh

[AnastaciaR]

Hi! I’ve looked all over the internet to solved this mystery.

I have a washing machine that’s only a couple months old but most of my washing never seems to come out fresh.

However ! ! ! all new clothes that are washed come out smelling like a daisy... even when mixed with “older” clothes...

I’ve tried adding vinegar, using different detergents, cleaning the machine, loading up small amounts etc... but no luck...

Anyone got any idea what I might be doing wrong and how I can make all my washing smell fresh ??

I had this issue with mine a little while ago. I changed a few things and I’m not sure which individual one sorted the problem. I found a drain at the bottom which was full of manky smelly water, which I empty regularly now. I’ve stopped using liquid detergent and have gone back to powder, as someone told me it caused a build up of gunk in the machine. I do most washing on a 40 degree cycle, as i had also heard that low temperature constantly doesn’t get the machine clean. I do a 90 degree empty wash when I remember, probably every other month. I alternate with non bio and bio powder as I believe the bio helps keep the machine clean. And I add soda crystals in with the powder, it apparently softens hard water, helps keep machine clean, helps remove stains and allows you to use less washing powder. Clothes now smell lovely and fresh!

Look up the method to "strip" cloth nappies, and do this for your stinky clothes. It's to do with a build up of detergent in the clothes IME and this always clears it. Obviously be careful of max washing temps but I do find most things can handle a setting or two higher than their label states unless they are wool/silk.

IME with clothes, it's not a smell of ammonia you get (because it's not wee that's getting trapped in them), it's a smell of stale sweat and deodorant build up.

It seems to happen more if you use fabric conditioner - defo don't use fabric conditioner in your strip wash. The nappy sites won't mention this because you should not use fabric conditioner with nappies anyway as it stops the fabric from being absorbent. This includes any 2 in 1 washing liquid or powder.

Thank you! I am going to give this method a try

Another vote for loose powder
Liquid leaves more residue on clothes and doesn't have any bleaching agents needed to kill mould/fungi

dh gets this with an odd t shirt, he really likes a 40 wash and doesn't tumble these particular garments, he thinks it shrinks them. Which it will if you use the super hot setting that i never use

I just think the 40 wash is ineffectual and then slow drying causes the stink.

When he is not looking I 60 wash and tumble dry his precious yet stinky-- items ...problem solved.

Sometimes when i get to the bottom of my wash basket, things that have been lying damp for a while have that sour smell to them..i put them in with only baking soda.. nothing else and it killed the smell