Please help! Washing machine(s) will not clean clothes

[Moonfish1]

I'm going insane now. Desperate for someone to tell me how to fix this.

Has anyone else had this ever? It's feeling like I'm the only one.

Since moving into my current house 4 years ago, I cannot get my clothes to come out fully clean from a wash no matter what I do. All of my clothes are getting ruined and smell bad (especially armpits after years of this 😭). Plumbers or washing machine experts can't figure out what it could be.

I've had 3 different washing machines - the first of which moved with me and I had no issues with until I moved here, when things didn't smell clean here I assumed it was because I'd damaged it during moving, but nope, 2 more brand new machines later and all my clothes are getting ruined. Things look visibly clean but have never smelled clean! They usually smell a bit musty or just don't smell of anything. I've literally never smelled even a hint of the detergent I've used here (and I've even got the most perfumey ones possible to try to smell anything).

Some of the things I've tried are - cleaning the machine with hot wash, chemicals, and natural cleaners; cleaning pipes by putting drain cleaner down sinks and u bend behind machine: using a multitude of different detergents; more detergent; less detergent; different temp washes; sanitisers; bicarbonate of soda; white vinegar; we tried SCENT BOOSTERS and softeners and still couldn't smell anything but wet clothes!!

It can't be the machines - I've had two brand new ones and they've done the same thing.

Could it be the water causing this? What do I do 😭

Sounds like you have moved to an area with harder water. Get a water softener or use more detergent, the instructions usually have soft/hard water amounts

Is the sink and the washing machine draining into the same pipe and if so, does it have the thingy valve(technical term) to stop the sink draining into the washing machine?

Did you line dry your washing outside before and now don't?
That makes my washing fresh smelling.

Do you leave washing in the machine after it has finished? Mould and mildew love a warm damp environment and will cause a smell in clothes left in the machine.

It sounds like a plumbing issue to me
I would get the drainage checked to make sure waste water is going through the right outlet( or whatever plumbing terms are!)

Do you have covid? My sense of smell changed for months.

Can other people smell/not smell it?

Does your washing machine waste go into a spigot under the sink? If it's in the wrong position it will allow dirty water to back flow

I don't even care what it's called, will always be a thingy valve now 😂

The thingy valve is called a spigot, not technically a valve either 🤣

Yep sounds like a plumbing issue.

We have a very similar problem which is not fixable due to the height the waste pipe leaves our building and this not being able to be changed. Water doesn’t drain quickly as the pipes too high.

Make clothes smell musty, is infuriating

Even better🤣

Are you overloading the machines?
Are you choosing the right cycle for each load weight?
Are you using too much detergent?
How are you drying your washing?

Many modern machines have high capacity but only a couple or so of programmes that can take a full load, most programmes are suited only to half or even smaller loads.

Bio powder is generally the most effective and typically only requires half the recommended dose to get laundry clean. Poor rinsing, as a result of too much detergent, over-filling or choosing the wrong cycle, will leave detergent residue which contributes to horrible smells.

Drying washing indoors too slowly will also make your washing stinky.

Bio powder and half recommended amount has worked for me. Softners wreck machines.

Try bio powder and the longest possible cycle. Add a bit of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment)as well as a tiny bit of Lenor, Comfort etc). I had this as I was doing an hour long wash instead of a long rinse cycle. I was also using washing liquid rather than powder. My washing smells really nice now.

It could be the way the waste water is leaving the machine though if it's a constant issue with new machines.

Oh - you do empty the drain at the bottom of the machine occasionally don't you? There is a small door at the bottom that houses a hose so you can drain any water buildup. The filter is also here and should be cleaned regularly.

Are you sure it's a washing issue and not a drying issue making them smell?