Bloody washing machines

[YaFlamingGallah]

It’s another washing machine related post from me…

I’m so sick of washing clothes in my crappy washing machine to find that once they’ve dried they smell foisty. We have a warm area to dry them in, with a heated airer, so clothes aren’t taking ages to dry, so it’s not that. We don’t leave in the washer for ages so it’s not that either. The drum itself stinks (which apparently is because they can’t be cleaned, you used to be able to pull the whole drum out to clean it, who knew).
I’ve trawled Mumsnet to give me The Answer and have tried; using powder, not using powder, using liquid, not using liquid, doing a regular boil wash, a wash with vinegar, a proper washing machine cleaner, even bleach and I am now at the end of my tether.

To be fair, it’s a crappy washing machine - cheap and a crap make but really not old at all. We do get through a LOT of laundry, but I’m actually at the point now of just thinking maybe I have to just buy a new machine every year or so. Obviously that’s really bad for the environment (but then so is bleaching the damn thing). I also can’t bear having to do so much laundry just to end up either binning clothes or having to put them straight back in the wash.

I suppose what I’m asking is, do I just have to resign myself to buying a new bloody washer every year or so, or if I spend £££ will I be able to get a machine that this doesn’t happen with? Is this just modern washing machines? Is everyone walking around with a whiff of foistiness about them?

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

Try some soda crystals and fabulosa or zoflora on a hot wash with no clothes in.

@dementedpixie I clean the drawer out pretty much every day, and the bit it goes into, and leave it out overnight to air, but didn't think of the holy grail of Mumsnet - Zoflora. But then I think if bleach isn't shifting it, not sure if Zoflora will, but I'll give it a whirl, I'm desperate. At least it will smell nicer than bleach!

I tried everything as well when my clothes were the same in the end I bought a new machine and problem solved.

Thanks @cushioncovers, I just couldn't understand why no one else seemed to have this, I assumed it was something I was/wasn't doing.

I have an old machine and don't have this problem. Do you use laundry cleanser in with your wash? That gives a fresh smell

Do you leave the door open after every wash to air it so mould doesn’t build up?
I’m not sure how you’d get rid of the smell that’s there but this may help going forward

Have you cleaned under the rubber seal? I found loads of gunky stuff under mine.

I also dry the rubber seal bit with a cloth after each wash because there’s always a bit of water that gathers in it, and then I leave the washing machine door open to air.

Sounds a lot of effort but I just do it automatically now, takes a couple of seconds.

Leaving the door open and dispenser drawer open overnight prevents mould build up and odours.

I feel your pain.. i had exactly the same with my (crappy Candy) machine and it drove me mad. However it was somewhat better after I finally cleaner out the filter - I had never bothered to read manual properly and wasn't aware you needed to do this. It was jam packed with screws, coins, hairslides etc... if you haven't tried that please do!

Also drying the seal with a dry cloth prevents mould.

You need to spend the £££ to get a decent washer with a stainless steel drum.

You also need to use washer cleaner tablet at least once a month and
Clean the filter once a month (or every 30 washes).

Don’t use any fabric softener. Fabric softener leaves an oily residue of perfume that then goes off and stinks.

When it isn’t on, leave the door open and wipe the door seal dry so it can air out.

Check your heated clothes airer, it’s quite possible it’s got mould on it and the spores are in your clothes and then have colonised your washer. This too must be checked and cleaned at least weekly.

Do you mostly wash clothes on low temperatures as this can cause a build up of mould. I had this happen in the past a number of years ago, it came from nowhere. I now rarely wash clothes below 40 degrees unless a delicate item. Wash towels, bedding etc on 60 degrees. Run a self clean cycle every 1-2 months with a cleaner and have never had a problem again. My washing machine lasted over 11 yrs. also leave door ajar, dispenser drawer open and wipe seal when finished. I hope this helps… also recently gone back to powder rather than pods/ liquid.

Would like to add the washing machine wasn’t a cheap one either but was when I first moved out so was new to doing laundry. I’ve had a cheaper machine too which lasted for 11 yrs and never had a mould/ smell problem. I’ve only just bought a more expensive one and hope it lasts the same.

I absolutely detest that smell!! It is sometimes worse than BO and it lingers in the room even when the offending clothes is long gone.

I assume you have read the manual and did everything you can to eradicate the smell without success. A couple of more unconventional points could be

1. too much detergent. When it comes to detergent, less is more.
2. clothes already contaminated with bacteria producing the unpleasant smell. Some of these clothes can’t be saved. Boil wash then tumble dry may save them.
3. plumbing issues. Where does the washing machine waste pipe lead to? If the plumbing is blocked due to years of debris and grease build up then the smell will return to the machine and your clothes.
4. let your clothes breathe. Clothes always smell better after they had a chance to be outside, not to dry fully but just the chance to air them. This one i don’t understand why but have always worked for me.

For the first time in 20 years my machine recently started smelling it wasn’t so bad that it affected clothes but definitely there. Anyway the only thing that I was doing differently is over the past year I’d started using liquids and pods so I’m convinced they caused it.
I tried empty 90* wash, bicarb and vinegar, washing machine cleaner and nothing worked then I saw a tik tok using dishwasher tablets to clean washer soo I gave it a go and it actually worked!! No more smell

I leave the dispenser drawer and the door open whenever it’s not in use, have cleaned the filter although I confess I haven’t read the manual properly. Will add that to my reading list. Always wash 40 or higher now despite environmental misgivings.

@EmpressCixi interesting - need to research the stainless steel drum, but also I never even thought to check the bloody airer. I genuinely think this may be the problem - off to have a look now. You’ve given me a new avenue to try and I am very grateful!!

@roastedsaltedpeanut I agree. I have a very weak sense of smell (since childhood, not Covid!) yet that bloody smell is the one I can identify anywhere! Also points 2, 3 and 4 definitely warrant further investigation - thanks.

I bloody love MN.