How do I stop my washing machine from smelling?

[mummyineedyounow]

Its only a year old, used every day and pongs as soon as its not being used.

I've tried emptying the water from the tubes at the bottom and also running an empty boiling wash but it doesn't help at all. Any ideas anyone?

Put a clothes peg on it's nose!

Sorry.... are you able to open the trap thing at the bottom? We have a bosch and it has a little screw out plate that enable you to reach in a remove bits that have got stuck. I find that usually when it starts to smell there is something stuck in there.

Run a hot wash through with a couple of cups of white vinegar in the drawer, and then always leave the door open once you've done a wash.

Is the waste pipe clear? Is the smell definately coming from inside the machine?

I pour bleach in to mine now and again and do a couple of very hot washes, or you could try vinegar.

Is the powder tray clear? That can go quite nasty behind there. Try removing it and giving it a good clear and check to see if there is a mouldy build up of powder behind it.

Do you leave the door/drawer open after you empty it? Have to say I don't bother with the drawer every time but the door is always open. My friend always shuts hers and it stinks of damp.

I ran a hot wash with soda crystals and vinegar when mine started to smell a bit and that fixed it. It didn't smell that bad though so not sure if it would work on a really smelly one!

Do you use powder or liquids? I think they say you need to use powder at least once in a while to stop the pipes etc getting gungy.

A couple of cups of white vinegar, a cup of bicarb of soda and a very got wash. Don't put bleach in. It'll rot the rubber seal. Leave it open to air, leave the drawer in bleach and scrub out inside the drawer unit. Never leave yet washing in there and leave it open to air. My mum puts a newspaper in it when not in use to soak up moisture. Just remember to take it out before loading... i didn't!

Great, thanks everyone.

Its just about to finish its first wash with white vinegar so fingers crossed. I hadn't read your post mnibnabs about the bicarb soda at the time so will try that next if vinegar doesn't work by itself. LOL at newspaper!

Do I need to leave the door & drawer open all the time or just to dry after a wash? I've been using liquid for the last few months so that could explain the smell. Will try using powder instead. Thanks.

Mine was a bit pongy lately, but a couple of hot washes have got rid of the smell. Since I've started saving energy / money by doing cooler washes it only has a hot wash once a month, I think i need to do them more often.

I sometimes take the drawer out and bung it in the dishwasher to get it nice and fresh.

I usually try and leave the door open all the time but ds has a current obssession with slamming it shut, so I reckon as long as it's been open a couple of hours and has fully dried out then it's ok. So far no smell in our machine (it's two years old)