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!

White vinegar is great for deodorising smelly laundry, I use it on my sports clothes periodically.

I think you'll have to spend some time treating the smelly items - new powder, hot wash, vinegar, extra spin and tumble dry. Sorry your DH is incompetent.

Line drying is great but you need to get rid of the bacteria and build up on your clothes first before you go back to it.

I do an extra spin on every laundry cycle, makes a huge difference. I hope you resolve it.

I agree, coupled with the fact that it's a liquid. Was he using short cycles as well? Bio powder on a long programme with enough rinses (allergy reactions are often due to inadequate rinsing of the detergent out of the clothes) should sort it.

Dettol laundry cleanser, or supermarket own brand, is antibacterial, but they do have fragrance in them.

Thanks for this. Sadly nothing fragrance free but it looks like adding Smol stain gel to non bio detergent might be the equivalent.

Persil/Tide pods are sold in their “sensitive enzyme” version overseas, it’s so annoying we can’t get them here.