Why does my washing machine stink??

[Hijoso]

I have done everything.

Bought washing machine cleaner, used Zoflora, done a bleach wash. I've even started to use bio detergent occasionally in case it's that. My clothes smell damp and horrible even after a 60 degree wash.

Help!!

Have you cleaned out the filter and the dispenser drawer and the bit it fits into?

Is it bio powder you use?
Powder keeps the drum cleaner than liquids

Do you leave the door/drawer open between cycles to give it a chance to dry out? And have you taken the drawer out to clean underneath & behind it?

Leave it for a couple of days with the door and draw open to dry out. Then do a hot wash with bio powder and old towels, before using again as normal. But try to leave it empty to air our overnight every night. Also make sure to wipe the door and the rubber bit just inside.

Do you. Have.a 90 degree wash many new machines don't but if you do bung in a towel or run on empty and leave your door open to dry it out once it's finished . Daft question have you cleaned out the rubber seal and the filter at the front of the machine?

You've all made great points I haven't thought of - I haven't cleaned the drawer in ages, and have just seen on another thread some people put them in the dishwasher so I'm going to do that.

No I haven't cleaned the rubber seal 🤢 I'm going to have to do it aren't I. It just makes me feel so sick and I can never get right into the grooves properly.

And I've been closing the door all the time so I shall follow all you have said and come back if it's still stinky.

Thanks 🙏

I have also just seen that using a dishwasher tablet is a good way to get it clean, so I'm going to give this a go as well!

If the rubber seal is really bad it's just better to buy a new one and have someone for it if possible. That's what we did as old one was black and mouldy.

Another thing to try - soda crystals in the drum.

Fit it not for it sorry!

How I keep my washing machine in good order:

Always use powder, not liquid
Buy white towels so I always have something to put through on the hottest wash possible
Use white vinegar instead of softener when doing whites
Leave the door and drawer open when not in use
Clean the drawer out regularly
Clean the filter out regularly
Clean the seal regularly

Machine is 7 years old and still going strong, laundry always smells nice and clean.

@Mooselaurels Thankyou, can I ask if the towels being white make a difference?

Colours tend to run on high temperatures so it's easier to do whites on the hottest 90 wash. I buy white towels/sheets/teatowels etc so I've always got something to wash on a high temperature and keep the machine clean!

Did you clean the filter?

it's usually caused by a resident sludge of soap and fabsoft in the tub, that bacteria live on.

It accumulates more from excess product, and low-temperature washes.

You can wash it away with your hottest cotton cycle, with no powder and no fabsoft, but a cup of washing soda crystals, which soften the water and help dissolve soap and grease.

You can put white cotton towels in it (no fear of them fading or shrinking). I expect you will find the water foams up and goes grey as the old sludge washes into it. That's good, you can do it again until it stops, therafter once a month or so.

Your towels will come out whiter and softer than before.

In future washes, you can add washing soda crystals to the powder drawer to improve performance and reduce sludge buildup. Instructions are on the bag.

Tip half a bag of soda crystals in the drum and wash on your hottest, longest cycle. Works wonderfully.