Smelly washing machine

[djprescott]

My house is now 2 years old and has a utility room with a plumbed in washing machine. I had to replace the machine after 12 months due to the smell inside the machine. Now another 12 months on, the new machine smells the same. Any ideas what this might be? It is plumbed in with the waste going into a standpipe with a 'u' bend trap.

[WendyS]

Do you usually use an Economy wash or a low temperature cycle?  A plumber once told me  that these cycles do not use a sufficiently high temperature to kill bacteria which may be lurking in the pipework. He recommended that a High Temperature wash be used at least once a fortnight to prevent this problem.   If this isn't the reason for your smells, perhaps there's a partial blockage in your system somewhere.  And always  leave the door open, or at least ajar after you've removed the washing may help too.

[djprescott]

Wendy, that's an interesting point - hadn't thought of that. We do use an economy wash nearly all the time.

Thanks Dave.

[WendyS]

Dave,

If the smell is rather like a sewer, it could well be the Economy wash.   I nearly always used a Quickwash or Economy wash until I learnt about the build-up of bacteria, etc.   Now I occasionally use a Hot Wash and the smell seems to have disappeared

[Machecoul]

We were told recently that we needed to have the outlet pipe moved as it was at the wrong height and water would settle in it and start to smell.

[spudqueen]

I'd agree with the hot wash, put it on with nothing in the machine, on the hotest wash possible, apparently it does it the world of good.

[Polotoo]

Try a very hot wash and you could also use some washing machine cleaning  granules - I use Buster, once a month on the hotest and longest setting and have no probs.

Its expensive to keep replacing them!

[KT84]

i agree with what people are saying about the hot wash.

A washing machine enginer told me when he was installing our washing machine and tumble dryer combi that if the tumble dryer option is used that atleast every 2 weeks to use a hot wash above 60 degrees C and if we werent using the tumble dryer option to use the hot wash option atleast once every 6 months.

[steve_lj]

Pour a half pint of white vinegar into the machine and do a hot wash - this will clear the problem.