To rub off mould, put a bit of sugar soap ( available from 99p stores ) on a sponge and wipe.
To rub off mould, put a bit of sugar soap ( available from 99p stores ) on a sponge and wipe.
ik9000 (30-10-2013)
the LG guy who came out to ours for the pump said to toss a dishwasher tablet in once every couple of months and run a normal cycle.
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
ik9000 (30-10-2013)
ik9000 (03-11-2013)
Vinegar is the answer - you don't need to worry about the acid level; it's enough to cut through grease but not enough to start eating the seals away.
I always put about a fifth of a bottle in every wash, keeps the limescale away and acts as a freshener.
And I don't mean white vinegar, I mean the cheap stuff you put on chips. The malt flavouring gets washed away so you can't tell it was ever there.
ik9000 (03-11-2013)
I run a calgon tab through our machine quite often and it keeps the smell away.
I also find putting on smaller loads rather than stuffing it full when doing cycles ensures cleaner clothes and non smelling drums.
Never tried the vinegar however the science behind it makes sense. Might try it myself.
ik9000 (03-11-2013)
OP, you are not alone, ours smells sometimes. I tried descaler + hot wash, and soda crystals and a hot wash, none of it really helped. Getting the washing out quickly and leaving the door open seems to work best.
Having had to replace the drain pump I stuck my fingers up into the drum and it was FULL of a nasty grey gunk that was half soap scum and half limescale. I suspect this is the root cause of the smell. I'm now trying to think of a way to remove it all chemically so I don't have to take the drum out to clean it out the old fashioned way.I know vinegar will attack limescale, but will it touch the soap scum?
ik9000 (03-11-2013)
Something I noticed a few years ago was the difference between washing liquids. I can't remember what I used to use, but if I left clothes in the machine for more than a day (used to forget about the washing quite a lot) I would need to wash it again. Moved to Ecover detergent and softener and could leave it in the machine for a couple of days without it smelling.
ik9000 (03-11-2013)
@funkstar-you aren't alone with forgetting the washing.
Not noticed any difference with detergent, but I've noticed a difference with different loads of washing. Towels (that have only been used once or twice) smell even if it's just a few hours, any other load is fine if I put it on in the morning and get it out after work.
ik9000 (03-11-2013)
ecover gets a bit of a panning on here http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/help/f...ck-marks-.html as something not very good at preventing mould.
Also, having washed stuff at my parents house using it - the clothes stink SOO quickly after washing you might as well just use fabreze. I use ecover washing up liquid etc, but their laundry stuff is best avoided IMO
Right. A quick update for anyone who's interested. Just spent a good few hours cleaning the thing. Drawer, and filter emptied of their respective gunks. The filter was skanky - grey silty gloop as described by someone above. The main culprit however is probably the mouldy seal. Lots of elbow grease and soda crystals shifted a good amount, but it's barely seemed to scratch the surface - so much still remains tucked in the folds. Each wipe brings the cloth out slimy black, but it doesn't seem to get through to the rubber beneath.
We're running it on a 90 wash with powder, soda crystals and a dishwasher tablet in the drum for good measure. Tomorrow we'll run it with vinegar. The next night if I can find it I'll try that parazone stuff. etc We'll see what a nightly 90-degree cleanse does for the thing over the coming week.
I've also fashioned a polystyrene wedge for the door to keep it open when not in use.
Will keep you all updated on how it shapes up. Thanks for all the advice.
It seems you have the same problem as me with the mold on the seal. I have found that 90 degree washes and loads of vinegar made no difference to it. I also found that no matter how much I scrubbed it never got close to clean.
If you find a cure I would like to know.
Anyone know how easy to find and change the seal is on washing machines. Unfortunately mine is a cheapo make. Also is there any type which are resistant to mold.
none will stop it if you do not keep it in check in the 1st place.
the seals easy to do depending on how happy you are taking the top off the machine and getting down to the clip.
best bets to google the model and see if someones do a how to.
Capitalization is the difference between helping your Uncle Jack
off a horse and helping your uncle jack off a horse.
That is one reason I avoid using softener and detergent in liquid form and stick with powder.
Ferral is bang on with this...
however.. everyone is missing a trick....
it might be getting a stale smell FROM THE DRAWER you store it all in. You only need ONE t shirt that has the stale smell in, at the bottom.. from bad drying.. and it'll ALL smell and ONLY when you have it on and get it warm.
Take it ALL out.. and air dry it and then airing cupboard once it's dry.... then back into a freshly cleaned drawer
Personally I also use my washing machine every 3 months EMPTY.. no washing powder, no fabric softner. no washing IN it... and I run it HOT.. 90 degrees that one time![]()
Originally Posted by Advice Trinity by Knoxville
ik9000 (06-11-2013)
I stand by my assertion of not using powders or tablets that have to put in the dispenser draw because, as you have found, they don't always dissolve fully and goes go skanky unless you wash it out every time. The only exception are the additives like Vanish, which seem more soluble. Fabric conditioners seem to be bad at encouraging mould growth, so avoid those.
However, I think wiping the door seal after every wash and keeping it dry is the single most important thing in preventing mould on the seal. If the door is swinging shut, maybe the machine needs leveling?
There may also be a subjective reason why the clothes seem to smell. Most detergents are perfumed, so it may be how your nose responds to a particular brand. I found that to my nose Ariel tablets seemed to make clothes smell fusty, so it might be worth experimenting with different brands - once you have got the door seal clean and fresh!
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It is a good idea to keep your washer door open for 30 minutes if possible after you have removed your laundry from it.
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