Washing machine and foul smell

[IntermittentParps]

When the washing machine is running, there is sometimes a rotten-egg/'toilet' sort of smell. Not within the machine but sort of emanating from it. I suspect it's something to do with the pipes but don't know what, or what I could do about it. It's not even every time I run it, just intermittently.
Anyone else have this? What do I do?!?

I inherited a very smelly 3yo washing machine that had been used by students, so I imagine they washed nasty stuff in the machine (vomit or dirty sports kit) or left clean loads in the machine (mildew) or used the wrong detergents (so possible slimy buildup, urgh….). The smell was in the pipes and the machine.

First of all I did an empty load on the highest temperature, maximum duration with washing powder and bicarbonate of soda. I expect the students were using ECO settings and fast washes which are good for the environment but are really the manufacturers’ way of getting a good rating while not washing clothes particularly well.

That gave the washing machine a good run through.
Then I “held” a hot bleach solution overnight.
And then I did a hot white wash (so any remaining bleach wouldn’t damage the clothes) with powder and cheap washing up liquid (100ml?) to get rid of grease in the pipes.

Any return of the smell, I add washing up liquid to the load.
Liquid tester gents are often responsible for sticky smelly residue in the machine. Also overuse of softeners.

Pour a bottle of white vinegar in the drum and put it on a hot wash.
Take the soap drawer out and wash it, also wash the hole that the drawer goes in.

I had a machine overflow once, and the man said it was because I was using liquid . He said it doesn’t melt properly on low temps, so I only ever use powder now.

*tester gents? DETERGENTS!

Check the electrics. Rotten egg/fishy smell often means a serious problem with the electrics. Check the plug hasn't burnt out or wires etc.

Don’t forget to clean inside the rubber seal, too.

I get this occasionally on my dishwasher and washing machine. Im fairly confident it's them and not the electrics as I have also smelt it on the outside drain they both go to, particularly after its rained. Its usually my reminder to run a maintenance wash! I try and clean any filters and run a hot empty wash with soda crystals and white vinegar every couple of weeks, but sometimes forget and that's when the smell usually appears. Once I do those, it usually disappears again.

@FitnessFad

Check the electrics. Rotten egg/fishy smell often means a serious problem with the electrics. Check the plug hasn't burnt out or wires etc.

Oh fuck, I hope it's not the electrics It's been happening on and off for ages (like, years), so presumably they would have fried by now if it was...

And thank you. Thanks everyone!

Then I “held” a hot bleach solution overnight. What does this mean? (I'm not very domesticated, can you tell ).

Then I “held” a hot bleach solution overnight. What does this mean? (I'm not very domesticated, can you tell ).

I pressed “pause” on a 90 degree cycle + half a litre of bleach once it reached a high temperature, and left it like that overnight. No clothes in there, obviously .

Thanks!

I find my (fairly new) machine smells if I use the eco programme. I alternate between the fast programme and the cotton wash now and it's better.

Is it plumbed in with any pipes which also service your sink? Sometimes your discarded washing-up water can end up in the washing machine if someone has been creative with the plumbing… happened to me in a house years ago. The washing machine ended up getting that bad smell.

@ClaudiusTheGod

Is it plumbed in with any pipes which also service your sink? Sometimes your discarded washing-up water can end up in the washing machine if someone has been creative with the plumbing… happened to me in a house years ago. The washing machine ended up getting that bad smell.

Don't think so, but not 100% sure, and our flat did seem to have been converted by a gang of idiots, so it's possible...