Smelly Washing Machine

[echokilo]

Can anyone tell me how I can get rid of the smell of stale water coming from my washing machine. Have cleaned it but to no avail - can't leave the door open as it's in the way .... help!! what can I do?

[ChuckFickens]

run it empty of washing (just detergent in it) on a hot wash once every couple of weeks.

and surely you can leave the door open a tiny bit between washes?

[echokilo]

Small kitchen, 2 rowdy dogs = they have almost had the door off it's hinges previously!!! WIll try the hot wash. Thanks.

[ChuckFickens]

if you really can't leave the door open a crack then the next best thing is to leave the soap drawer pulled out a bit so the drum can vent a little bit that way.

Door would be better though.

[Den81]

Put a cup of washing soda and half a cup of white vinegar in your soap dispenser. Set your washer to it's hottest cycle and this should do the trick.
(Washing Soda is about 70p from Asda, Tesco, Morrisons etc.
Good Luck!

[Panic Button]

Get an old towel and have a really good clean out of the crevice in the rubber door seal - you won't believe the grey crud you get out.

Also if you can locate the filter - probably behind a cover at floor level - unscrew it and clear it out. There is probably a button and an old washer helping hold some gunge in the machine. Be ready with that towel though, as a load of water will gush out.

[Ice.Maiden]

I agree with Chuck. Run the machine (with no clothes in it) on the hottest wash it does. Then always leave the door slightly open after each wash. Remove any built-up gunge from around the door seal, and your machine should soon smell OK.

[Mortartube]

I agree with the washing soda trick. Do this about once every 6 weeks to break down the gunge.

[echokilo]

Thanks everyone!!

[pingu748]

rather than doing the hot wash with nothing in it use a couple of tea towels in there as well .. helps aggitate the water much better ... and if you can get hold of some bio detergent then use that instead of soda crystals .. the bleach will helo break down the smell ( the reason it smells in the 1st place os a build up of bacteria caused by constatnt low temp washes and usually sole use of liquid detergents )