Help! I don't understand my washer/dryer combi and my clothes stink!

[scragglyannie]

So I've been living in a house share for a while now. Every time I wash clothes, they end up with that damp, mouldy smell, like washing that hasn't been dried properly.

I've ran the washing machine on 90 degrees with a load of bleach, TWICE, and also done a 90 degree wash with a load of "washing machine cleaning" powder I bought in B&M

My question is, if you'd be so kind as to look at the attached photos, are the knobs on the right solely for the drier? Because that is what I've assumed so far. Choose the temperature of the wash on the left, and the knobs on the right are for drying. But my washing is coming out smelling damp!

It's driving me mad, and I'm worried that by putting the knobs on the right on 0 degrees it's affecting my laundry.

Left knob for wash temperature and left for dryer
Which wash cycle are you doing?
What detergent?
I get best results using bio powder

Use a laundry cleanser too

Is the door left wide open when not in use, or is it closed?

If you do a google image search it will more than likely identify the make and model, and you can then google for an instruction book. Or cut out the middleman and send ChatGPT a picture and ask what the knobs are for.

I'm wondering whether the others in the house tend to leave damp washing in the machine for a while. If they do, then that will be the cause of the smell, not the machine.

You have a 6kg washing machine. Find the manual online as it may be for some programs, you need a half load ie 3kg of laundry. It's important not to overfill the machine.
Use bio powder detergent for white / light coloured clothes and towels/bedding.
What wash program are you using?

I don't have a washer/dryer but separate machines. So this might not matter. But I don't seem to be able to change the temp on the dryer, so I would assume that's for the washing part.

https://argos-support.co.uk/instruction-manual/3921540-indesit-iwdc6125-freestanding-washer-dryer-white.pdf

The knob on the right 0 to 90 is the temperature of the washing water. By setting it to 0 you are washing in cold water each time. If you're not using biological powder your washing will not get clean on 0 and is probably why it smells.

There might be some gunk trapped in the folds of the rubber door seal in spite of your hot washes, so give the seal a good wipe with a soft cloth just to make sure it's clean.

A kink in the drain tube can cause smelly washing too, so if possible check the back of the machine for problems.

The knob on the far right is drying time, the one next to it is wash temperature.
The knob on the left is the programme.

I used to have exactly this washer dryer. I'd put it on 3, 40 degrees for the wash. Then you'd have to take half the load out if you want to dry.
Put it on 11 to dry and pick a dry time eg 60 minutes.

You can download the manual here
https://argos-support.co.uk/storage/uploads/3921540_D0011.pdf?direct
https://argos-support.co.uk/storage/uploads/3921540_D0011.pdf?direct

I started using bio powder a few years ago as my washing also never smelled fresh. I also use a long cycle so it rinses well ( 2 hours ).
Have you tried just a wash then hung washing on a rack to dry? It may be that your loads are too big and there isn’t enough room to dry properly.
I used to to have a washer dryer years ago that never worked properly.

Thank you very much everyone for taking the time to read and respond.

So it turns out I've been doing my washing on 0 degrees this whole time!

I always use the 40 degree cycle on the left, but the first knob on the right has always been set to 0.

I use the 3-in-1 pods you just throw in the drum, plus conditioner, plus Lenor Unstoppables.

I'm going to obviously use the correct temperature settings now, and will switch to Bio powder based on what people have said here.

Thanks again, very much appreciated!

The temperature dial overrides the temp on the setting dial if that makes sense. The other advice is good, leave the door open in between washes and use the right powder detergents. I’ve never known a washer dryer not to smell, have used them in rented places.

The first dial on the right is for the timer so it shows minutes, not a temperature
The dial to the left of that sets the wash temperature and the main dial sets the wash cycle

But surely if you have done a boilwash, you knew that the water needed to be turned up?

But, yes, if you have the wash temperature knob set to zero then that will override the temperature on the main dial and the clothes will be getting washed in cold water.

I'm guessing she chose programme 1 which is a 90⁰C wash but with the temperature dial set to ❄️ so it would have been a cold wash too

Most likely, the capacity for the dryer portion isn't as high as the capacity of it as a washing machine. It does say 6 + 5kg - so I'm guessing the capacity for the dryer is 5kg.

Washing machines need to be no more than 2/3 - 3/4 full in the drum. Dryers the clothes need more space to move around so should be less than half full.

I would try putting a load through which is less than half of the drum, and see how it comes out.

The knob on the far right is definitely for the dryer, because it has a cupboard and hanger symbol, which are dryer settings. I think the knob with the snowflake symbol is the water temperature. Presumably it does not actually pelt the clothes with snow but just means that it takes the unheated cold inlet when set to 0.

I forgot to mention, I never dry my clothes in the machine, always on a rack. Might be useful info for someone checking into thread later on

Thanks again everyone ❤

I have this machine.

i use programme 3 at 30 degrees with intensive wash selected most of the time.

when i wash sheets/towels I go hotter - you can get product build up if you use low temps all the time.

i rarely use the dryer but YY to previous poster who said if you do lighten the load.

@scragglyannie
Any luck with your washing?
At least we’ve had some lovely dry days to hang outside!