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Housekeeping

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Original poster

HELP - Stinky washing :-(

42 replies

MK37 · 27/10/2022 11:19

Having a nightmare,

Trying NOT to use tumble dryer, or trying to cut back as much as possible.. so hanging all washing up instead, which is fine.

Unfortunately weather has been absolutely pants so has been hanging up inside (on airer, radiators, bannister, top of doors, kitchenmaid) ... it STINKS. Like cheese or vomit.

Washing doesn't smell when wet coming out of machine, or if I do tumble it. Only if hung up inside.

Have done a deep clean of washing machine, have tried washing on a higher temp, but any of the washing that's been hung up inside smells horrendous 😭 so having to re-wash everything and then put in tumble dryer anyway which is obviously completely counter productive ....

Haven't really had heating on as haven't really felt we've needed it so could this be why? Washing does seek to be taking a couple days to fully dry.. All windows are opened every morning and closed about 4ish, is this enough air circulation?

What am I doing wrong? Or what can I do differently? Please help, all advice/tips/tricks welcome TIA xx

OP posts:
Reallybadidea · 27/10/2022 11:23

How long does it take to dry inside? What detergent do you use?

FuckabethFuckor · 27/10/2022 11:25

Seems odd; I have to dry everything indoors (live in a flat with no outside space) and I don't get this problem. I use the tumble dryer but only for towels. Clothing dries on an airer.

What products are you using in the washing machine? What temp are you washing at?

Stuff taking two days to dry doesn't sound normal; mine takes about six to eight hours to dry (thick stuff like denim maybe a little longer) and I live in Scotland so not an especially dry or warm part of the world.

Toomanysleepycats · 27/10/2022 11:26

My washing will smell if it’s hanging up in the utility room and I pan fry anything in the kitchen. It seems to pick up that greasy oil smell.

I always make sure I close the utility door and put on the kitchen fan. The longer it’s hanging it just seems to absorb kitchen smells.

Reallybadidea · 27/10/2022 11:27

Sorry, didn't see that it takes 2 days to dry. That's probably the issue. I leave stuff on the airer for 24 hours but if it's still damp after that then I finish in the tumble dryer. No stinkiness.

Bangkokbaby · 27/10/2022 11:29

I've found that my washing doesn't smell now that I'm using an anti bacterial laundry cleanser in with my regular powder. I use Astonish protect and care. It's made a huge difference to the musty smell when drying indoors.
It's not added a scent, just taken away the smell!

Original poster
MK37 · 27/10/2022 11:42

Using persil bio laundry detergent, tesco black pearl conditioner. Washing on 40 but have tried 60 aswell (still not helping)

Have also tried doing an extra spin after the wash finishes but also not working.

I wonder why it's taking so long for stuff to dry in my house then? 🤔

Tried an experiment where I hung half the washing up & put half in tumble... tumble half didn't smell atall, hung up half needed rewashed AGAIN 😭

Might just need to admit defeat and use tumble until the heating gets used more regularly?

OP posts:
Original poster
MK37 · 27/10/2022 11:42

Oh I'll try this and hope for the best, thanks x

OP posts:
Original poster
MK37 · 27/10/2022 11:43

So maybe I should check after 24 hours and chuck anything that's not fully dry in the tumble for a bit? X

OP posts:
Original poster
MK37 · 27/10/2022 11:45

Can I ask where about you locate your airer? I will move mine and see if that makes a difference, I have no idea why it's taking so long for my washing to dry when hung up indoors 😔 x

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 27/10/2022 11:45

Put a cold fan pointing at your airer. That will help. I've been using Smol but I have found that powder is better. It keeps my machine cleaner and it doesn't smell when drying.
If you find the clothes are a bit whiffy ironing can help take the smell out.

SalviaOfficinalis · 27/10/2022 11:46

It’s smelling because it’s staying damp for so long - it gives time for bacteria to grow.

Mine dries okay in the house but I’m very particular about spreading clothes out on the airer so there’s no creases and no clothes touching. If you try to fit too many clothes on they won’t dry properly.

SalviaOfficinalis · 27/10/2022 11:47

Also open a window just a crack in the room with the airer so the damp air can escape.

fruitpastille · 27/10/2022 11:51

Check that your machine is spinning/ draining properly. Have you checked there isn't a club or something in your pump? We had to replace our pump as the washing was so wet when it had finished - it was completely knackered! Our washing had that smell you describe

You could also try a heated airer or dehumidifier.

fruitpastille · 27/10/2022 11:51

Coin not club!

Reallybadidea · 27/10/2022 11:51

As well as spreading stuff out, I find that stuff like t shirts and jeans dry much faster if I can be bothered to turn them over on the airer after a few hours. Also try to hang stuff by the edges so the fabric isn't doubled over on the rung iyswim.

ProfYaffle · 27/10/2022 11:53

My airer's in front of a sunny window and also next to a radiator.

I think your idea of checking for dampness after 24hrs is reasonable. If the weather's not been too bad can things go outside? Even if they half dry outside it'll help inside. Also make sure the airer isn't overcrowded.

dementedpixie · 27/10/2022 11:58

Is it a liquid detergent?
I dont have a tumble dryer and don't have this issue and clothes can take a couple of days to fully dry.

Maybe try powder as it contains bleaches that help kill bacteria in the machine. Liquids/pods don't contain them and can lead to gunge build up and smells

dementedpixie · 27/10/2022 11:59

I often hang jeans over the bannister and hang shirts on hangers and hang them from the airer

WonderingWanda · 27/10/2022 12:00

Make sure you are using a powder rather than a liquid. I think a good compromise is like you say to part dry and then bung in the tumble to finish. Also give heavy items that soak up water an extra spin to get them drier before taking them out.

Mol1628 · 27/10/2022 12:02

It’ll be because they’re taking too long to dry. This is why I always use the tumble dryer. No choice. The whole house smells of fusty clothes as well if I dry on radiators.

Tittyfilarious81 · 27/10/2022 12:04

Can you use bio powder instead ? , My mum had your problem and it was because she was using non bio liquid

ineedakickupthe · 27/10/2022 12:10

Without heating on it takes days to dry anything in my house too. I don't get that smell though. I only get the smell if clothes left in the washing machine for a while after it's finished.

Pinkywoo · 27/10/2022 12:22

We don't have a tumble dryer (tiny house) so have a dehumidifier instead, it makes so much difference and is cheaper to run.

Jeanstable · 27/10/2022 12:39

Sorry if it seems obvious but when hanging an item of clothing on the airer, drape it over two bars so there’s a good gap between folds. If you hang one item of clothing over one bar it takes too long to dry and gets smelly.

theemmadilemma · 27/10/2022 12:40

If it takes too long (I'd say over 24hrs) then washing will start to stink if it's not dried.

So you need to either add heat, or a dehumidifier.

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