smelly washing machine.

[bumpsnowjustplump]

I have noticed that my washing machine drum has become really smelly. Today I did a load of washing and the clothes have come out really smelly. I have just put it on a 90 degree cycle and it still smells... How can I get rid of this smell as I have lots of washing to do???

and don't forget to check the filter

Oooh bleach in a 90 degree wash, that's on the cards for tomorrow. Already do the leaving open thing. Thanks to all for help!

hello Bumps!

do you use the new fangled ariel excel gel stuff or equivalent?
If you do wash at 30 degrees (like me) then that's the reason the washer stinks. It's prime temp for bacteria, causing the stink.

Once weekly (prolly cos I wash soooo often) I pour a cupful of soda crystals (Sainsburys 98p) in the drawer and run it on a 90 degree wash.
Jobs a good 'un!

Ahhhh another useful tip sorky, thanks. We'll solve this issue one way or another! I pondered over the soda crystals in Wilko's yesterday but lost confidence when it had minimal destructions for washing machines, just for clothes. So I plumped for Dr Beckmann Service-it washing machine cleaner; normally I prefer a more traditional method like the soda crystals, but that's what needing the loo when you're shopping'll do to your decision making! Good work everybody.

Dr Beckmann is in. I'll let you know if he came up trumps.

This thread has been most informative as I have a very whiffy machine at the moment. Have tried white vinegar - not that helpful, perhaps I didn't use enough? Will give the bleach a go, and am interested to hear how well Dr. Beckmann performed. I do leave the door ajar, well, not always, but have started to, but some bugger (namely Husband) will close it thinking it's someone else's (namely mine) laziness that it hasn't been shut properly... will also invest in soda crystals as they're probably a useful thing to have around and anyway will make me feel satisfactorily Kim and Aggieish/smug housewife

sorky - That's really interesting. My new washing machine has a 30 degree wash option, so I started using it. My washing machine has been smelly ever since . I'll get some soda crystals!

i will be using bleach tonight, would parozone be ok as cleans my loo a treat! i have mould on the rubber bit where the door is and it wont shift! and the smell that comes from the sink when it is on is like rottne eggs! perhaps tmi!

I've just done the bleach thing. The smell's a lot better, in fact all bleachy but that's preferable to what it was like before! I think the door seal is still a bit skanky looking (haven't examined it closely, just stuck my head in and had a quick sniff!) but perhaps there's not much more that can be done about that. Will also remember the tip to make the next wash a whites in case of bleach residue!

MummyPenguin funny that's exactly what my DH does about the door! He's the same with the microwave.

So Dr Beckmann was okayish but definitely not brilliant. I'm going for the bleach one next.

where's dumbledoresgirl? I'm always telling her there are smelly washing machine threads on mumsnet

if you use liquid, swap for powder (liquid seems to really cause smelly washing machine)

Oooh didn't know that fox, thanks...

This is from the moneysaving expert forum and gives step by step instructions...

Washing machine maintenance washes:

Sue suggests putting the vinegar in the conditioner holder when doing a hot maintenance wash. This is pretty pointless because the vinegar will only be added during the final rinse. For the maintenance wash it should be placed directly in the tub; one way to do this would be to liberally soak a washload of old tea towels or rags liberally in the vinegar, or for preference just tease the soap drawer open a little and pour in the vinegar as the washing machine is filling. (Not too far open or you'll have water all over the floor!). That way you get nice hot vinegar throughout the wash cycle.
You can use brown vinegar for this tip with no problems, and asda (for example) currently sell this at 17p for 500mls as opposed to 50p for the white vinegar.
It is recommended that you do a maintenance wash at your highest temperature once a month.
It worth noting that if you normally do low temperature washes and use lots of fabric conditioner and are not doing maintenance washes that a first application may only clear some of the gunk that builds up and leave your machine smellier than when you started - but after another go (or two) this should all settle down.

So I went for the bleach - smells clean and looks shiny! Think I may have overdone it on the size of squirt thought - there were soooooooooooo many bubbles. I did have a slightly nervous moment but an additional rinse helped it. And it entertained DS no end.