Smelly washing machine!

[elasticfantastic]

So basically over the past few weeks my washing machine has started to absolutely stink when it's doing it's fast spin phase.. think rotten eggs.. it's vile ... any ideas how I can fix this? I've cleaned the filter out and cleaned all the rubber seal around the door.. it's still stinky!

If it's smelling when it's spinning it's unlikely to be a cleaning issue. I would be thinking mechanical.

Oh no that sounds expensive

Run an empty boil wash on empty? Add white vinegar. You may have to do it a couple of times.

You can buy bleach tablets, i have used them before when my washer dryer didnt smell very fresh

Hi, is the smell definitely coming from the machine itself or could it be coming from the sink as the water drains out? I've had similar and it clears if I run the tap for a minute. Try that as it sounds like you are describing a drain type smell? Should work hopefully.

Thanks people! Yes I think it's a drain problem.. I'll try the hot wash / vinegar/ bleach tablets, see if that flushes it through and then see where we go form there

Dishwasher tablets on a hot wash. Stick about 3 in.

Have you emptied the filter? I had to clean mine a few days ago because I'd not done it in ages and it was really smelly! Loads of coins and things clogged it up and it turns out the new plastic bank notes are not indestructible.

The OP says I've cleaned the filter out

If it's the drain then no amount of cleaning the washing machine will resolve it. It sounds like it is stinky drain water being pushed up as the machine empties. Running the tap clears it straight away for me.

You may need to clean all of your drains with soda crystals and also run a boil wash through your machine with soda crystals. I had the same at the beginning of the summer and I used the soda crystals on all drains and the machine and it went. I also changed back to washing powder as someone on here mentioned that liquid can clog the machine. Finally I now do several washes a week with Bio powder. All the smells are gone and if they return I will just redo the process.

So. I poured a whole bottle of white wine vinegar into the wash powder drawer and put about 300 grams of soda crystals into the drum, then ran a boil wash cycle... seems to have done the job! No smells since!

Thanks for the help everyone!

I've had this in the past @elasticfantastic ! It's supposed to be caused by using liquid rather than powder detergent. Because it doesn't break down so well apparently. I stopped using liquid or capsules for a bit and it went away. I've gone back to capsules now though as they are so much easier.

I think a monthly maintenance wash with just soda crystals is recommended.

Whoops cross post with Annasgirl

Yes @tobee I'm going to convert to powder... will def be doing a monthly maintenance wash too! Can't be doing with that smell again!