How do I stop my washing machine smelling?

[Mendeleyev]

If I don't use my washing machine for a few days it starts to get whiffy! I have tried running some bleach through it on a 95 degree wash but that hasn't helped. Does anyone have any ideas?

SmellyWasher! Google them. Had this same problem and tried everything from vinegar to washing soda to bleach. I don't know what's in it but it was the only thing that got the musty smell out and out of the towels as well.

It's £17 + P&P, but I have a smelly washing machine, and my towels stink as soon as they are used.

I'm very tempted...

I know what you mean about towels stinking. I would also notice a funky smell on my gym clothes, which was . . . disconcerting.

The SmellyWasher does last and I think there is more product in the jar than they say -- they say it's good for 24 washes but it does seem there's more.

The other thing I often do is add 5 - 10 drops of tea tree oil to the washing powder when I'm starting a load of wash. (I hope I don't sound like some laundry obsessive.)

We had this but it went when we started leaving the door open when it wasn't being used. Not completely open, just not clicked shut IYKWIM. It does mean having to check that DC haven't put any toys in it before doing any washing though!

Before you splash out on expensive products, why not just run an empty cycle with a cupful or two of white vinegar. If it works; job done, if not, you can always try the other stuff.

Have you checked inside rhe rubber doorseal? I did this last year and was horrified to discover it was mouldly . There was also mould behind the powder drawer leading into the machine.

I bought some washing machine cleaner from the supermarket to clean the mould off and run through the machine.

I also now always leave the door and drawer open if there isn't a wash in it. Mine is in a non-child area though so easier than if it's in the main kitchen. You could always leave it open overnight perhaps though?

Thanks for the suggestions. I had already removed a load of mould but i have found some more! Yuk. Will try the White vinegar but I am a bit about the price of the smellywasher do I'll have to think about that.

Mendeleyev Did you do this? How did it turn out? I can't run my machine on a 90 degree wash as mine only goes to 60 degrees.

Would be interested to find out some way of getting rid of this problem without having to pay loads of dosh!

thanks!

I used soda crystals and cup of bleach on hot wash once a week and always leave the door open after washing. My machine seems to be okay - but think i'm a laundry obsessive lol.

the Smelly Washer stuff is supposed to kill mold/ mildew. That's why I use tea tree oil -- it kills mold and mildew too.

Mold/ mildew is apparently more a problem with front-loading machines than the old top-loading machines, although I have also read that many of the newer top-loading machines suffer from it. The reason is that there can be a small puddle of water left below the drum that never fully drains away. Keeping the door ajar after washing is obviously a very good idea, MuppetsMuggle. (Laundry obsessives unite!!)

PS How sad is it that I actually want this book??!?

Not sad! I actually want the Kim and Aggie Good Housekeeping tips book

I second keeping the door open but it's tricky to do this with young dc.

this might be a daft question but if you do the bleach/soda crystals thing do you also use washing powder or not?

gotta leave the door open when not in use.

Am now visiting my parents, who have a top-loader and a problem with laundry smelling sour. The magical Smelly Washer hasn't resolved this so further research online led me to this this. A repair person is coming to take the drum out so I can clean inside it (decided I wasn't brave enough to take the machine apart myself). I am sure everyone is breathless with anticipation so I will report back on what matter of, er, matter (dead sock? the disgustingly-named "curd?") turns up.

Okay: Am now officially traumatized. There was about a 1 cm thick layer of almost clay-like gunk on the inside surfaces of the agitator that I actually had to scrape/ peel off once the machine had been taken apart. Thoroughly scrubbed the entire thing including outer (non-exposed) side of drum, casing of drum, etc. Really an awful job but the payoff is laundry now smells nice not nasty.

The one useful thing I can pass along is that the repairman said to run a cycle (empty) with automatic dishwasher liquid every 3 to 6 months in the washing machine, to help prevent buildup in future -- and this works with front-loaders as well.

I had exactly the same problem and actually got a machine repair man out. Everytime I washed my clothes they smelt of poo! He recommended a product called CALAGON that will sort it right out. You buy it in tescos and it is a washing tablet that you put in along with your normal washing powder. I dont use it every time but I think your supposed to.

Highly recommend you buy it cause it helped me after one wash!!

Tras -- What a wide variety of horrible smells can develop in a washing machine . . . [need puke icon]!! Do you mean Calgon?

We ran Cascade dishwasher liquid through three times and saw stuff (mats of slimy dog hair / other fibers) coming off in the wash water but the next day, when he came back and took the machine apart, there was still this horrible stuff on the non-exposed surfaces that I literally had to scrape off with a trowel and then scrub and hose down outside. Repairman's amused comment: "You are working very hard on a 14 year old machine."

Leave door open when not using it. We use cloth nappies and I have never had a smelly washer problem. I use vinegar with the nappies, which I think helps, but seems like leaving door helps more.

Yes sorry it was calgon. Did you get it?

having same problem at the moment!

Just scubbed the door seal with bicarb and vingear mix and am currently running a 90 wash with a capfull of bleach in it and intend to empty the filer when that's done - will let you know it it works!!

Ouch to the price of that smelly washer stuff!!