Laundry problems - everything smells! (and eczema...)

[Yellowingtrees]

For about 18 months DH did all the laundry, but we're swapping jobs, partly because all our clothes now smell... I don't seem to be able to get on top of this, so I need advice! What I've done so far

• Clean the seal (handfuls of sludge, but it's still spotty w mould stains which I can't get off, even after following all the instructions I can find
• Used washing machine cleaner
• Run a 90 degree wash
• Used white vinegar
• Cleaned the filter and the drawer, and always leave the door open

The machine itself doesn't really smell any more, but the laundry - in particular towels - often smells horrible. The towels can't really be used for more than 2 days, which is hopeless.

I line dry everything - easy this summer, so I don't think this is a drying problem. In the winter we have a hanging laundry thing and a dehumidifier. I usually use Ecoleaf liquid detergent, but we are almost at the end of that, so I'm up for trying other things.

I either need to use non bio for everything, or to separate out my son's stuff (he's got horrible eczema-prone skin) which I would do for a while, if it allowed me to wash whatever has got into the clothes out again!

Suggestions? Advice? Thank you!

Do you leave stuff in the machine when the cycle has finished? I've found even if you leave it for a couple of hours it starts to pong. So now I set an alarm on my phone to empty it (the machine doesn't beep or anything when it's finished).

Try using a laundry cleanser to get rid of any lingering bacteria. M&S do a good unscented one which i can use fine with my eczema prone skin.

I found this after washing at 30 so I’ve gone back to minimum 40.

I need to use non bio as I have eczema. At the moment I use M&S for sensitive skin, but have used Fairy and Persil in the past.

https://www.ocado.com/products/m-s-sensitive-non-bio-laundry-liquid-zero-fragrance-50-wash/601863011

I also use a laundry cleanser for some washes so you could try that.

https://www.ocado.com/products/dettol-antibacterial-laundry-cleanser-fresh-cotton/259885011

A laundry cleanser sounds the right thing - do you have a link? It feels as if something has got into the clothes themselves, which my eco-stuff just isn't getting rid of...

I'm good about getting the stuff out right away. DH wasn't, and didn't clean the machine, and I think that's where the problem started...

Am also wondering if anyone has detergent they really like? Needs to be either unscented or VERY lightly scented (autistic children w sensory sensitivities...)

Sorry - crossed posts - will look at the Cleanser!

Persil non bio powder is really good. Are you using a liquid or a powder. The liquids really make machine smell.

eczema family - we uss bio powder (whatevef is on offer) but always use the long cotton cycle with an extra rinse.
extra spin to shorten drying time

It's not uncommon for Ecoleaf @Yellowingtrees

It's a strictly non-biological detergent.

It doesn't contain the synthetic enzymes required to break down human body oils, sebum, and sweat and over time, these oils build up in the fabric fibres, making your laundry smell a bit sour/rancid.

It might sound counter intuitive but switching from laundry liquid to bio powder got rid of DD's eczema.

The powder killed off the mould in the machine (it was the mould that caused the smell and the eczema).

It isn't the enzymes that aggravate eczema but the perfume. DD was fine with Arial.

I certainly wouldn't use either Fairy or Persil then!
I am allergic to perfume and am very careful about what I use to do the laundry. I use soap nuts and natural oils to give the laundry a light fragrance; something like lavendar oil, or anything else that you like.
Yes emptying the washer immediately it has finished seems to be vital if your laundry area is warm.

Use powder, not pods or liquid. Use half what is recommended
wash towels at 60 or even 90.
don’t leave anything in machine when finished
wipe out and dry seal after every wash
leave door open when not in use
roll eyes often at husband’s incompetence

40 degree wash with powder. The liquids, particularly eco ones just don’t seem to do the job properly ime.

Keep cleaning the machine regularly and running a hot, empty drum clean cycle every few weeks.

You say you cannot use towels more than two days?
How are they stored after you use them. If they're not allowed to dry between use them they'll smell musty
For my DS gym gear I use some Astonish Laundry Liquid and a scoop of the Astonish powder . Bio detergent powder.
Some of his gym gear says wash at 20c! What!
It can go at 30 with the extra cleaning and bloody like it .
Towels at 60c
Monthly cleaning wash

It's the Ecoleaf.

I had this problem OP and to be honest nothing worked until I bought a new (cheaper) washing machine. I now open the detergent drawer to air it after each wash and also wipe the rubber at the front as much as I can remember / leave the door open after each wash. I think once damp and mild spores get in it's almost impossible to get rid.

There's no strong evidence that biological laundry detergent is more irritating than non bio. Maybe in the past but now with modern machines it shouldn't be an issue. You'll likely have to switch to a good bio detergent like Arial or Persil to get rid of the smell, and wash at at least 40c because that's the temp the enzymes work best.

If you're concerned about residue, you can always do an extra rinse with a couple of tablespoons of citric acid in the fabric softener bit.

https://amzn.eu/d/03xA5GXJ genuinely is excellent and leave no smell.

For the worst affect towels I'd look at doing a laundry spa day

https://www.reddit.com/r/laundry/s/y2SaAwMke4

You don't say what you're using currently but a lot of "natural" detergents just don't get the laundry properly clean.

I agree to everything above, also make sure your washing machine isn’t over loaded. I do half loads with my towels especially and wash at a high temperature.

It temping to ram everything in though!

Do you use fabric softener?

too much of that can make clothes smell musty.

Sorry just seen you did say.

It's absolutely the eco leaf that's making your laundry smell.

https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/products/ecoleaf/ecoleaf-fragrance-free-laundry-liquid---1-5l/

It contains soap apparently which does not dissolve properly in the wash and can leave a horrible scummy layer on every that traps bacteria which leads to smells.

The two detergents i like are the Leaf laundry sheets and the Wilton cedarwood. Both quite light and natural smells.

Some eco products are just crap. I was taken in by ‘soap nuts’ due to being influenced by mumsnettters 20 years ago. They don’t work. Once I switched back to non bio powder my washing was once again clean and didn’t smell.

Washing powder is much better for your machine than liquid.

You aren’t killing the bacteria - that’s what smells. You either need a high temperature, bio powder or both. You won’t be doing your child’s skin any good with smelly, bacteria-filled towels and clothes.

We have sensitive skin although thankfully no eczema.

Agree with not letting the washing sit after it’s finished, we use timers as even though the machine does make a noise, DH will claim that he didn’t know the washer was on.

Bedding and towels all get washed at 60.

We use Lidl’s non-bio powder

And we always leave the door open between washes so that the drum isn’t constantly wet.

I used zoflora the one with the picture of pets on it. I put a good slug in with the detergent and wash on the highest I can take and it gets rid of the musty smell. For BO smells the deactivate when worn and only when you can risk it being ruined. Neat cheap vodka on the area soak for a few hours then wash.