Damp smell

[HM]

I'm having a problem with my washing. Each time I do a dark wash it ends up smelling damp. I haven't changed my washing powder, don't leave the washing in the machine after the cycle has finished and strangely it doesn't seem to affect white washes, only a dark wash. This problem has been going on for only the last couple of months and I can't think what could be causing the problem. I've tried using fabric conditioner and dry the washing outside if it's nice, and keep the windows open if it's drying inside. Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do? It's getting to the stage where we can't wear certain things as they smell so bad. Thanks

[Oneeyedvic]

Try putting your machine on its hottest wash without any clothes in. Also are there any filters etc that need cleaning?

[HM]

I'll have a look at the filter, thanks for the suggestion. It just seems very strange that it's only affecting the dark washes.

[FTVS]

Could there be some thing in the dark wash that imparts this smell to the rest - does the same thing happen if you wash whites on a low tempature?

[HM]

It only seems to happen with the dark washes - and regardless of what items I wash so it can't be one item that's making the others smell, it's very odd. White washes are fine at the same temperature.

[NetSquirrel]

I've had washing acquire "the damp smell" when I left it wet for too long after taking it out of the machine. At least, I think that's what caused it. It might be possible that, when you do your whites, you are in a bit more of a hurry and therefore dry them straight from the machine, avoiding the damp smell. (E.g. bed sheets washed, dried and back on the beds in a few hours.) Make sure your coloured clothes aren't sitting around in the machine or in a basket before you hang them out. Hope this helps.

[Newt]

I've read that 1/3 cup to one cup of baking soda in the rinse water will take the smell away. You could also use Borax. http://www.queenofclean.com/tips/laundry.html http://www.hometalkers.com/forums/showthread/t-427.html Newt

[xmaspast]

Is the machine working ok?. My washing was begining to smell stale and it turned out that the motor was on it's way out and nothing was being washed or rinsed particulary well for a number of weeks.