Smelly washing machine!!

Aldom

Dibbydod

May I suggest it should be white vinegar with Baking Soda ...not Soda Crystals ...........on hot wash of about 50 degrees .....

The above is incorrect.
The two together neutralise each other.
Soda crystals and white vinegar are correct.

They still neutralize each other, one may work but certainly not together

Dibbydod

May I suggest it should be white vinegar with Baking Soda ...not Soda Crystals ...........on hot wash of about 50 degrees .....

The above is incorrect.
The two together neutralise each other.
Soda crystals and white vinegar are correct.

Sorry flipped threads

My parents recounted the weeks before DDay men and weapons camouflaged everywhere, roadsides, farms, waste land, security everywhere, bomber aircraft day and night then suddenly overnight it was gone.

I always use powder, not liquid or capsules, and I don’t use fabric softener . I read that the liquid detergents cause the pipes to go mouldy inside over time, which doesn’t happen with powder. I had a new machine during lockdown, and I’ve only ever used powder in it, it’s never made my washing smell other than fresh.

I never close the door shut - always open - never had a bad smell ……

My engineer said to switch to powder as these gels & pods can rot down the elements inside.
I would say a few cleans with soda crystals on a hot wash to clear the debris building up in the drum & pipes.

Can someone with more science knowledge than I have why vinegar and baking soda would clean a washing machine.

Acidic vinegar would just be neutralized by alkaline soda

My washing machine is usually fine now, I think fabric conditioners were a problem for me, it doesn't seem to matter whether I use liquid or powder detergents.
I usually pour a capful of a M&S concentrated disinfectants into the fabric conditioner section - I prefer the Green Tea and Bergamot, a bottle lasts me for months.
Personally I do leave the door ajar, and I do a hot wash every couple of months to clean the machine thoroughly, taking the detergent drawer out and giving it a good clean - though now I'm not using fabric conditioner it doesn't get slimy

Ours is 10 yrs old and has never had any problem with smells and never has any special cleaning, we have fairly soft water never get any scale on anything.

Is it hard water?

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Use powder not liquid detergent.
Run a 60℃ programme every week (eg for towels). No need to run a special programme with empty drum.

Don't use fabric conditioner.

Add a slurp of disinfectant to the final rinse via the conditioner compartment.

Dry the seal and inside the drawer compartment (pull the drawer out completely) and leave both open for several hours. Leave the door ajar as much as possible.

Another thought, does your machine have a filter you can access? (My old one didnt, new one does) It might be behind the plinth, if it is, try cleaning that.

I had that problem, and posted about it!

My wonderful local repair chap, Appliance John, suggested using a dishwasher tablet, adding several litres of hot water to the detergent drawer, then running as hot a programme as your machine can manage.

It worked!

Although I have since bought a new machine, mine was 15 years old and although working, made a noise like a plane taking off when on spin cycle.

White vinegar & baking soda, as recommended above. I no longer use softener in the drawer, as advised by someone on this forum, but use a little white vinegar on a white/light coloured wash instead. Also, always leave the door & drawer open a little after use. My washing machine no longer smells. I also spray vinegar around the interior of my dishwasher, always remembering to clean the filter too.

I use a capful of Zoflora every now and then. I tend to use the Fresh Linen scent, but it doesn't matter. I just put it in the dosage drawer and run the machine on a quick wash. A bottle costs less than a pound in Home Bargains, and lasts for years, as you really just need a capful.

And I usually wash on a 40° wash but for bed sheets and towels i use 60° wash

Thank you all for your advice, I always leave the washing machine door open and the dispenser draw a little bit. I stop using fabric conditioner about three months ago and I alternate between powder and gel. I did a wash this morning and put some citronella oil in the drum before I started the wash just a few drops and wash came out smelling lovely but the machine still doesn’t smell good ?

I always leave the door and the drawer open a bit (after wiping around seals with dry cloth) and that seems to help. Occasional wash with washing soda added, sometimes a dose of white vinegar.
I stopped using softener a year or so ago and found the machine stays a lot cleaner, no more gunky black dispenser drawer to scrub.

Temperature of water makes all the difference. I always use 95c on my linen which is all white, that’s sufficient to kill any bacteria that causes a smell.

I haven't used conditioner for many years as i find the smell overpowering. My clothes and machine are the better for it. When you consider that it is made with some fatty substance it's no wonder it gums up and makes the washing machine smell bad.

Make sure there isn't water in the rubber seal at the door, and that the soap dispenser is clean.

By doing this and always leaving the machine open when it isn't in use, I have got rid of this problem.

I use washing liquid and have never had a problem with it.

I had this problem Shinamae, until I read a post on GN from someone who suggested switching from washing liquid, which I had been using, to washing powder. Gave it a go and no more nasty smells. Just Tesco automatic non bio wash powder, nothing expensive.

Always leave door open. I think that helps

Try one of the washing machine cleaners that are available.
I found that when I did the same thing as you did, with the 90 degree wash etc, that was when the problem started!
With my current machine, the door is left ajar and I also use an Eco egg instead of the usual washing powder/ capsules, and my machine only smells if my son shuts the door after he ahs used it!