washing machine smell

[spevick]

My washing machine has begun to smell of damp-is there something I can put in it please?

[HowardKennitby]

Give a good boil wash with washing soda that should make a difference.
When not using it leave main door and soap tray open to allow it to dry out.

[dwil]

Is this a cryptic clue?
Best to try another section - home & garden perhaps.

[Tilly2]

You could try putting some bleach in the powder dispenser and running the machine on its shortest cycle. That's what I do with mine now and again. Also, try to leave the macine door open when you have finished a wash, to let it dry out.

[askyourgran]

The bleach and soda washes suggestions work fine, I've done a quick wash through with a small amount of bleach. However I found the rubber around the washer door has black marks inside the rim so I've just bought some Dr Beckmann Service-it Washing machine cleaner from Asda (nearly £3 though). Its a one treatment bottle where you wipe around the rubber to clean off any gunge, then soak the detergent drawer in a small diluted amount, and finally pour the rest into the detergent drawer and empty washer wash at 60 degrees. Supposed to freshen clean and maintain the washer. Haven't used it yet but I intend to do it this week. I'm blaming the new Surf liquid detergent and conditioner stuff for the gunge.

[stocksman]

Liquid detergents do have this problem, they don't have the same bleaching agent as powders. The only answer is to do awash with bleach(no clothes of course) about every 2 months. I worked as an appliance engineer for 30 years and we never found any other answer.

[spevick]

many thanks for all your help

[HowardKennitby]

Also, when the wash has finished you will usually find water lying at the bottom of the door seal in all the folds they usually have. I have found it is best to dry this up rather than leave it.

[Celtigra3]

Put in a cup of vinegar in the soap tray and run it through empty - same applies for dishwahers = cheap and effective