Smelly Washing Machine

[TEE JAY]

Hiya

I have noticed that our washing machine has an musty, old water smell. This isnt all the time, mainly if it hasnt been used for a couple of days. Dont really want to be doing washing every night as the noise of the spin wakes me up and I then end up waking up my bloke! Any suggestions as to what I can do to get rid of the smell?

Thanks

TeeJay

[Lindylour]

Hi TeeJay

In the past I have used Soda Crystals putting them in a hot short cycle straight into the drum, this seems to help I usually do this before I go on holiday and after two weeks I havent come home to a smelly machine yet.  I hope this helps. Lindylour

[cassimer]

I dont know if this applies to you but you are meant to leave the door open after use to let the whole system dry out (read it in my new machine's instructions). Also have you checked the filters? I never do mine often enough but most machines have an access panel where you can pull it out - water normally smells bad down there, and also a build up of soap etc which needs washing away. Also pulling out the whole drawer for soap at the top and washing back as well really can help. Finally... limescale can build up and soap seems to stick to it and the smell is not great. Try calgon or similar and lindys suggestion to help!

[smudge]

Both Lindy & cassimer's advice is very good & helpful.

I think Soda Crystals are a must in every household. Every now & then I pour a cupful of SC down the plugholes, then slowly pour boiling water over them. We never have any problems with smelly sinks, bowls etc.

[smudge]

I mean: *smelly sinks or basins!

[spudqueen]

Do you do all your washes at 40 degrees? My sister in law had this problem and was told by an engineer that all she had to do was do the odd hot wash . It helps to clean out the machine if you also do the occasional wash with no clothes, powder etc in. Maybe you could combine the two and do a hot wash with no clothes in!

[Headtime]

It reminds me of an old Viz Top Tip, saying "Keep your washing machine clean by leaving it on a 90 degree wash when not in use".

This was followed by another letter further down saying "Avoid sky high electricity bills. Don't leave your washing-machine on a 90 degree wash when not in use".

Oh well...it seemed funny at the time.

[netibiza]

My washing machine engineer says to wash once a month on a 90 degree cycle with a bottle of vinegar to really clean out the tubes and the heating element will last a lot longer - obviously in an empty machine - it appears to work.

[netibiza]

obviously one doesn't put the actual bottle in the machine just the contents.

[insurance]

white vinegar not malt