Smelly washing machine

[NorkilyChallenged]

I'm sure I read something about washing machines that smell but can't for the life of me find it now...

Our washing machine is fairly new (about 2 years or less, can't remember). I've recently noticed a bit of a smell when I'm putting washing in it.

It lives in an outside utility room thing (just a brick "shed" with power to it) as no space inside. I try not to shut the door of the machine between uses, just put it to but not clicking it shut, though sometimes DH does (as he worries about creatures climbing in).

It's a musty, damp sports clothes, damp smelly socks type of smell. Is it the machine? Is it something I can fix at all or am I doomed.

I haven't yet noticed the washing coming out smelly but am feeling the need to check it.

do you run a hot, empty maintenance wash on it occasionally? Cos i do that and it gets rid of the build up of all the detergent etc, and gets rid of smells. Also I descale it now and again.

Do a 60 degree wash and use white spirit vinegar in the detergent tray

Get a washing machine descaler (I found a natural citric acid one in my diy shop recenly) and do a long 60 degree wash (empty of course!). That seems to have sorted mine out.

I run mine on a 90 degree wash empty every month.

Oooh I knew that MN would know this. Thank you so much.

Am a total simpleton when it comes to housekeeping type stuff.

Right, I NEVER run an empty maintenance wash. We do use the limescale prevention tablets in every wash as we have v v hard water here. Actually only use the gel tabs and never use the detergent tray for anything so that will be a new experience for me

So I need to text DH (who is at Tesco) to get some descaler or white spirit vinegar and do a maintenance wash.

Your clothes don't come out smelling like a chip shop after the vinegar do they

Dont put white spirit in there ,you will never get rid of the smell,I think the poster meant white vinegar ,have a read of this for tips
here

HOt wash with some soda crystals thrown in. A packet costs less than £1 and the instructions for all sorts of uses are on the side. Good luck

Thanks again.

Wonder if it's because we only do low temp washes and non-bio (from reading Bubbles4's link)?

Washing machine repair man said it is a combination of people always washing at low temps (and not ever doing high temp washes) and also using liquid rather than powder.

He suggested (as other wise mnetters have) running through a couple of very hot washes with NO detergent in them.

HTH.

Thank you all.

DH put a 90 degree wash on tonight with nothing else in there (as he hadn't bought anything). Will see if the smell has gone when I next venture out there!

we has this after switching to non bio liquid when ds was a baby.

A few hot runs with soda crystals sorted it out. We switched back to powder and problem hasnt returned.

Nonbio liquids and liquids specially made for colours are teh culprits.

Washing machine engineer told me that using non-bio didn't kill off bacteria so advised to use bioogical every now and again.

Worked for my machine

I run mine on a 90 degree wash with a cup full of soda crystals once a fortnight (I do an awful lot of washing though). No pongy problems here any more.

Might have been me with the washing machine recently. Vinegar works wonders, as does a hot maintenance wash and not using liquid.

I also cleaned the inside with vinegar, including the seal, and was amazed at the crap that was there!

I agree with CarrieJF. Soda Crystals are brill. Also use washing POWDER (my washing repair man told me to do this and it works).

Also use Soday Crystals for cleaning dishwasher and sinks (flushed with very hot Kettle water).