Smelly towels after washing - should I use powder instead of pods?

[Wapawapa]

I use fairy pods. My towels especially, but other clothes too, have that... vomity smell (sorry, no other way to describe it). The weather has been great here and everything has dried quickly on the line so it's not that they're taking days to dry.
So now I'm wondering - could the pods be the problem? Is powder best?

I use powder and wash towels at 60.

And it shouldn't be a matter of using more, with towels. They need a tiny dose of powder

@GiantCheeseMonster

Don’t use vinegar to clean a washing machine (or dishwasher, or any other device). It knackers the seals. Use a proper washing machine cleaner. Clean the filter as well. Run a hot wash with powder and an empty machine once a month. Wash towels on at least 60, don’t leave anything damp in the machine more than a couple of hours. Fabric softener is OK if you use a vegetarian one which doesn’t have animal fat (smol is nice) but don’t use it with towels as it affects absorbency.

I've always used vinegar to clean both my dishwasher and washing machine (including wiping the washing machine seals with a vinegar solution) and they are absolutely fine. I also use vinegar instead of fabric softener when washing towels and tea towels etc. It's very effective.

RavingAnnie, you might want to read this. I’m not making it up.

www.which.co.uk/news/2021/02/eight-things-you-really-shouldnt-clean-with-vinegar/

[quote GiantCheeseMonster]RavingAnnie, you might want to read this. I’m not making it up.

www.which.co.uk/news/2021/02/eight-things-you-really-shouldnt-clean-with-vinegar/[/quote]
Well I've been using it for many many years without issue.

carry on then, it’s not illegal. I’m just not sure why you’d ignore expert advice when there are decent inexpensive alternatives that won’t potentially knacker an expensive appliance

Oh I use Splosh too. Their laundry stuff is good.

Get yourself some fabric detergent. I started adding it for the kids sicky or peed on bedding and for the dogs stuff, but I use it on towels occasionally too when I want a real refresh. Use a hot cycle too

Sorry I mean fabric disinfectant!

Never seen it in the UK so hopefully it's a thing

I love the pods - I hate powder as it clogs up the machine. But I only like Bold pods. They make everything smell lovey and clean. However I suspect it’s more the temperature of the wash that’s making your stuff smell bad. Towels should ideally go on at least 40, 60 is best.

If they already have a smell it won’t go unless you wash at 60 or higher with bio powder.

Had loads of problems with funny smelling laundry until i ran a 90 degree wash with vinegar and stopped using pods full stop. Went back to powder and never had a problem since, i also use calgon tabs every other wash which i find are great too.

Vinegar won't damage seals, not in the concentration I've been using anyway. Never had a problem with my seals and I use it in every wash.

I got some washing stuff for sports clothing when some of that started to honk even after washing. It worked really well and the smell has never come back!

HALO PROACTIVE SPORTS WASH LIQUID 1 LITRE https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003WGL0C6/ref=cmswwrcppapigltt_fabc

This is the stuff, I think it would work well on towels too.

Towels very quickly grow bacteria even if you only use them once or twice. Bacteria love damp warm environment.
Washing at 60 and above is the only way to kill the bacteria or dry them in hot tumble drier.
Don’t store them in the bathroom where it is likely to be damp and warm.

I only ever use powder ( persil).
Wash towels separately on 60 degrees. No fab conditioner, I add a dash of zoflora instead

@GiantCheeseMonster

carry on then, it’s not illegal. I’m just not sure why you’d ignore expert advice when there are decent inexpensive alternatives that won’t potentially knacker an expensive appliance

I will thanks. I actually have multiple allergies so have to be very careful with what I use. Vinegar is safe, cheap, non toxic, no allergens (for me anyway), effective and has not caused any issues with my washing machines or dishwashers having used vinegar as outlined above over many, many years without issue. All my household appliances are well cared for and last many years. I am very happy with my decision.

If you are doing low temperature washes, you probably have a residue of soap and fabsoft on the towels and in the machine. Bacteria grow on it.

If you put your cotton towels on a HOT HOT HOT cotton wash, with no soap, no fabsoft, and a cup of washing soda crystals, I bet you 50p the water will foam up and go grey as the soap sludge dissolves out. And your towels will smell fresher and feel softer than before.

It can take several soda washes to clean out all the sludge. Cotton towels are good, because they withstand the heat. White ones especially, as you don't have to worry about fading, and they will come out whiter.

You can clean out the machine with just hot water and soda, but the towels need doing as well, so you may as well combine it. Towels tend to have soap, shampoo and shower gel on them, so will usually wash without adding powder. The soda crystals soften the water and help dissolve the soap, detergent and fabsoft. Towels actually dry better without fabsoft, and a buildup of soap and fabsoft makes them stiffer, so is best washed out.