Can't get rid of smell in washing machine - HELP!

[alizee21g]

I decided to buy 2nd hand washer dryer from a friend - she's moving home, I trust her, appliance is only few years old and in perfect working order. Ours was on it's last legs and we can't afford to replace it for another 6 months or so so we figured this one should see us through. It didn't seem particularly dirty or smelly when we installed it, ours didn't smell either so it's not pipes etc. I did the usual maintenance on it - scrubbed detergent drawer and casing as far as I could reach, cleaned the filter, cleaned the door seal thoroughly with toothbrush including the tiny gap next to the drum. Ran cleaning cycle with bleach. Only then machine started smelling like stale water (when it heats up and afterwards). I read every thread on here and thought maybe this first clean disturbed the built up of gunk so did the following:

• empty cycle on highest setting with soda crystals
• as above with vinegar
• as above with dishwasher tablets
• wiped dry and left open overnight (I always leave it open anyway when not in use)

It still smells! I checked it all over again and can't see any visible mildew anyway. Smell seems stronger where detergent drawer sits. I have dr Beckmann service it cleaner product arriving tonight but if there are any other suggestion I welcome them with open arms!

What cycle are you using? For reasons we simply do not understand, our machine smells if we use the "everyday" cycle. It makes no sense but it it just is. I might occasionally use that cycle for something quick and small - eg I tossed my slippers in yesterday after I stood on the disgusting bit of something the cat left on the kitchen floor - but otherwise, never. And if we do use it, it's a once off only.

As long as we stick to the cottons/whites/sports cycle, we're okay.

You could try a cycle with bicarb in the drum - we do that anyway with DH's sports kit.

Try Dettol Laundey Cleanser, I had the same problem and used washing machine cleaner once a month but since adding Dettol to every wash it stopped smelling. I no longer use a full cap, just half.

I don't use anything special in the wash but every 6 months or so run a "drum clean" cycle with half a cap of bog standard dettol in it. you really don't need much, and it does stink the place out, but seems to do the trick.

It sounds like the bleach has reacted with the heater elements. Sorry, no solution beyond my observation.

I haven't used it for washing clothes yet because of the smell coming from it. I've had it since Friday and been trying to clean it ever since. I did all the cycles above at 95 degrees and tried soda already. I use laundry cleanser for when I wash clothes but I can't bring myself to use this machine while it still smells😬

I would stick some clothes in - or perhaps a load of towels - and do a load on a cotton cycle. See what happens. With detergent, obviously.

Right so smell improved after Dr beckmanns stuff. I took detergent drawer apart as I noticed small bits of gunk in the gap under the front panel and soaked it in water and bleach solution. I did the same with the filter. Put it all back together and did small load of my running gear at 40 degrees with bio gel (I don't have any powder atm) and laundry cleanser. I dare say washer smells almost OK and clothes don't smell at all (as in they smell fresh as they should). I now wiped door and seal with dry cloth and left it open and removed detergent drawer altogether to dry.

Don't use gel, it clogs the pipes up and causes smells ! Use a biological powder and laundry cleanser

I use gel/liquid almost exclusively with all my machines and with regular maintenance never had issues with bad smells. This machine is 2nd hand. I will switch to powder for whites when I run out of gel x

Daz powder for all non dark coloured clothes.
Keeps the machine clean.