laundry smelling after washing - any washing machine experts out there?

Recently all my clothes have started stinking, but AFTER washing - before the mockery starts. T-shirt I'm wearing today honks of musty staleness and I've been wearing it for only about 2 hours now. (and the wearer without said t-shirt is not smelling). It didn't smell when I took it out the drawer this morning. Equally it didn't have an amazing fresh smell that clean laundry usually has. But the honk coming of it now is quite annoying, particularly as I'm at work and can't change it for another.

T-shirt is freshly washed, taken out the machine reasonably promptly and air dried. Machine is the same one the flat had when we moved in a year and a bit ago. It was fine back then. Problem only started a month or two ago.

The other thing I've noticed is that clothes don't feel quite as wet as they used to when we take them out the machine.

Any suggestions about what could be causing the problem, and what I should check for? I'm inclined to check the inlet hoses when I get home to make sure they're not kinked or something. Could it be a blocked filter or the like somewhere in the machine? Are there any washing machine gurus out there? Would a lack of water cause said problem?

It's all very confusing. No amount of extra powder/different powder/washing time etc seems to help. If anything too much powder makes the clothes feel a bit icky, like it's not all washed off. However the machine is not spitting out warnings or faults suggesting it is lacking water feed. I'm really quite perplexed.

First check/clean filter, then drains, then inlets :)

Also check if there is any mould around the door seal.

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Originally Posted by kalniel

First check/clean filter, then drains, then inlets :)

Also check if there is any mould around the door seal.

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where would filter be?

mould round door - yes. Been trying to shift it using water and kitchen towel. Should I use something else?

Drains, we're in a first floor flat. Do you think there might be a backing-up problem? I'll stick some drain unblocker down the sink (same branch as the machine) and see if it helps. The kitchen sink plugs sure do gurgle when machine is in use thinking about it.

I'd stick a generous amount of laundry liquid/powder in and run it empty on full temperature.

Could be the drains, as a first floor flat we had a very shallow pipe running from one end of the building to the other from our kitchen so that it stayed within our building. Combined with a 180 degree turn at the end and a blockage was inevitable. It should be obvious though from watching the washing machine, ours was so bad water was going up and out of the sink when pumped out.

The filters are usually near the bottom of the machine. (At least they were in the last few I've owned)
There's a big kinda screw/plug thing (sorry it's hard to describe)
In some cases you might need to unclip a panel of sorts.

Might be a silly question, when last did you clean it?
Every few months we buy some random washing machine "cleaner" and run it on the hottest programme.

You'll probably find a filter behind a flap on the front of the machine - when you pull it out it will gush water so take care (ours has a length of flexipipe to drain it first). I suspect this will be absolutely hanging.

As far as the mould goes, give up using kitchen towel and get the bleach and a scourer out - just make sure you put at least one empty wash on after. They're usually held on by a plastic retaining ring thats easy enough to pop off so you can pull it flat.

Asda sell a cleaner called 'Dr Beckmans Magic clean' or something for about 3 quid. I stick it through ours about once every 6 months.

Once you've got it clean if at all possible see if you can leave the door open for a few hours after use, it will stop mould build up.

1. Use quarter bottle of Parozone bleach ( available at 99p stores ) and run a full cycle.
2. Use Calgon and run a full cycle

What washing product do you use ? Stop using powder. Invest in Daz or Surf small & mighty.
And, do you dry your clothes outside in the sun or does it dry inside on your radiators ? Inside drying will always stink.

Since, you are at work now, buy Dettol, mix with water and sprinkle on your t-shirt. At leats you will smell much better and Dettol's smell is stronger than even Lynx!

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Originally Posted by jimbouk

I'd stick a generous amount of laundry liquid/powder in and run it empty on full temperature.
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Nooo! Many problems are that people use too much detergent, empty the trap (as mentioned, flap on front, unscrew then drain) Then pop a full 500ml (or so) bottle of clear vinegar in the machine, close the door and put on the hottest/longest wash cycle available (no need to spin of course)

Of course using a drain cleaner on the shared drainage may also help. Also make sure that whenever you're not using the machine you do not close the door fully, always leave it open a little which helps reduce moisture/mould.

Or washing machine has always been bad but as I rent I can't change it.

I have tried 90 degree longest washes, that Dr whatever cleaner, loads of white vinegar and now I an trying some fertility anti bacteria softener for low temp washing.

after all that things are better but still not great. tea towels are the only problem now but haven't had the chance try try the fertility on them yet.


The rubber seal has a patch of mold that wont come off and lots in the hidden fold that also seems impervious to bleach. Perhaps a new seal would be a better idea. Anyway...

I have found that excess soap can actually make the clothes more likely smell so stick the machine on rinse again after to wash it out and a good soon.

Soda Crystals have sorted this for me on more than one occasion. Two cupfuls n a boil wash might help.

A LOT cheaper than Calgon etc.

Soda crystals do work, just remember gloves

Hot water + vinegar is good for cleaning off mouldy patches around the door, just add some elbow grease

Fusty clothes seem to be either steeping in the water too long or not dried quickly enough in my experience, the cold weather obviously hinders the drying process

This happened to ours a few weeks back

From doing a bit of research it is washing on 40 with the gel type liquids that cause it.

First off you need to take out the drawer where you put powders etc and give a good clean in there and also fully clean the drawer itself.

Then fully clean around the door seals and where you put the clothes in the drum.

DO NOT use bleach or similar product to clean anything that is rubber, same goes for putting bleach type stuff in the drum itself. Bleach will corrode the drum and rubbers and you will have an expensive repair bill when things like seals, hoses and possibly even the drum itself corrode.

What you need to do is use a washing powder rather than gel.

To get rid of the horrible musty smell do a hot wash (90 degree white wash) with washing powder, put the powder directly in the drum and set it away empty, you can also add a bit of white vinegar to this wash in the same way. This will kill all the bacteria that causes the smell and should sort the issue out for you.

Another thing is once you have finished doing a wash, get clothes out immediately and leave the door open when not in use so air can get in and essentially dry out the machine ready for next use.

We do use powder - that's the thing! Only liquids that go near it have been fabric softener and wool liquid wash for the delicates. (and water obviously)

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Originally Posted by Ferral

First off you need to take out the drawer where you put powders etc and give a good clean in there and also fully clean the drawer itself.

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will do

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Originally Posted by Ferral

DO NOT use bleach or similar product to clean anything that is rubber, same goes for putting bleach type stuff in the drum itself. Bleach will corrode the drum and rubbers and you will have an expensive repair bill when things like seals, hoses and possibly even the drum itself corrode.

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I was about to ask if bleach was a good idea on rubber.... but is it that bad? bathroom gloves don't exactly disintegrate when we clean the toilet with bleach for example. Equally I wouldn't put bleach near my trainer soles.... In the name of science I will buy a rubber bouncy ball, some cheap rubber gloves and a few O-rings. I will immerse them in bleach and monitor their progress. Watch out for a rivetting youtube upload in a few weeks time.

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Originally Posted by Ferral

To get rid of the horrible musty smell do a hot wash (90 degree white wash) with washing powder, put the powder directly in the drum and set it away empty, you can also add a bit of white vinegar to this wash in the same way. This will kill all the bacteria that causes the smell and should sort the issue out for you.

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Will putting vinegar in the thing not be as bad as putting bleach in it? That's a lot of acid to attack seals, metals and the like.

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Originally Posted by Ferral

Another thing is once you have finished doing a wash, get clothes out immediately and leave the door open when not in use so air can get in and essentially dry out the machine ready for next use.

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This is a bit of a problem - the door swings to under gravity. Annoying. We'll have to get a piece of polystyrene to force it to sit open an inch or so. Like I said above though, it's been this way for a year or so without problem before.

For what its worth, don't use fabric conditioner as I have found it encourages mould growth, particularly round the door seals. I always dry out that little pool of water that collects in the creases of the door seal anyway, and keep the door slightly open when the machine isn't in use. I also use the tablets or liquitabs that go in the drum, rather than powders in the powder dispenser. They cost a bit more, (look for supermarket offers - there are always some on!) but doesn't give a build up of soap in the drawer.

If you are using low temperature washes, try using an additive like Vanish. They do a version called Vanish hygiene. You don't need to use it every wash, but might be worth trying on the clothes that smell musty to kill any mold spores. Again, look for supermarket offers!

Don't use chlorine based bleaches in the machine - but you can use bleaches base on hydrogen peroxide.

It might be worth running the machine on a hot (90 degree) cycle, but if you live in a hard water area, use a water softener tablet (Calgon or supermarket own brand) or use washing powder which usually has water softeners as part of the formulation.

To rub off mould, put a bit of sugar soap ( available from 99p stores ) on a sponge and wipe.

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.

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Originally Posted by OilSheikh

And, do you dry your clothes outside in the sun or does it dry inside on your radiators ? Inside drying will always stink.

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I don't find it that bad, however I run a dry cycle at the end of washes which helps a lot (obviously this only works if you have a washer/drier).

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.

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.

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?

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.

@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.

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.

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 :)

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!

It is a good idea to keep your washer door open for 30 minutes if possible after you have removed your laundry from it.

I had another go at the mold on the seal using this http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/.../?id=264514881

it took a few applications and leaving it to soak but it took alot off. I gave ithe hidden areas a good wipe and reapplication but it didn't remove all of it.
I also used it on the draw and inside with the draw out. I squirted quite a bit in the so it would clean the pipe you can not really clean. I would suggest also that leaving the draw open as well as the door after a wash would be good

I then did a 90 degree intense wash and chucked everything I had in.
A load of biological washing powder, dettol antibacterial softener, oxyclean, calgon and thick toilet bleach, and limescale remover. I was probably lucky I didn't knock myself out mixing all that but it has been getting ok my tits for long enough.

it does seem to be improved but I won't be able to tell for sure until I use the hand towels and tea towels repeatedly to see if there is a big difference.

I think the mold killer down the draw probably helped the most along with the seal.

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Originally Posted by Kumagoro

I had another go at the mold on the seal using this http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/.../?id=264514881

it took a few applications and leaving it to soak but it took alot off. I gave ithe hidden areas a good wipe and reapplication but it didn't remove all of it.
I also used it on the draw and inside with the draw out. I squirted quite a bit in the so it would clean the pipe you can not really clean. I would suggest also that leaving the draw open as well as the door after a wash would be good

I then did a 90 degree intense wash and chucked everything I had in.
A load of biological washing powder, dettol antibacterial softener, oxyclean, calgon and thick toilet bleach, and limescale remover. I was probably lucky I didn't knock myself out mixing all that but it has been getting ok my tits for long enough.

it does seem to be improved but I won't be able to tell for sure until I use the hand towels and tea towels repeatedly to see if there is a big difference.

I think the mold killer down the draw probably helped the most along with the seal.

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I'm amazed you didn't make some kind of explosion mixing all that together. don't put toilet (chlorine) bleach in a washing machine. it's not good for the rubber seals.

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Originally Posted by Kumagoro

I had another go at the mold on the seal using this http://m.tesco.com/mt/www.tesco.com/.../?id=264514881

it took a few applications and leaving it to soak but it took alot off. I gave ithe hidden areas a good wipe and reapplication but it didn't remove all of it.
I also used it on the draw and inside with the draw out. I squirted quite a bit in the so it would clean the pipe you can not really clean. I would suggest also that leaving the draw open as well as the door after a wash would be good

I then did a 90 degree intense wash and chucked everything I had in.
A load of biological washing powder, dettol antibacterial softener, oxyclean, calgon and thick toilet bleach, and limescale remover. I was probably lucky I didn't knock myself out mixing all that but it has been getting ok my tits for long enough.

it does seem to be improved but I won't be able to tell for sure until I use the hand towels and tea towels repeatedly to see if there is a big difference.

I think the mold killer down the draw probably helped the most along with the seal.

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I'm amazed you didn't make some kind of explosion mixing all that together. don't put toilet (chlorine) bleach in a washing machine. it's not good for the rubber seals.

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Originally Posted by OilSheikh

1. Use quarter bottle of Parozone bleach ( available at 99p stores ) and run a full cycle.
2. Use Calgon and run a full cycle

What washing product do you use ? Stop using powder. Invest in Daz or Surf small & mighty.
And, do you dry your clothes outside in the sun or does it dry inside on your radiators ? Inside drying will always stink.

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I've been looking for parazone but all I've been able to find are parazone tablets. they say they're for use in toilets. would they harm the machine, or should I keep looking for the liquid?

I had enough of it and thought .... it, I will only try it the once.

another point which may worth nothing is that on mine at least it doesn't heat up the water until the second input of water and you might want to put in whatever then.

Parazone is a chlorine based bleach - personally I wouldn't put it in my washing machine where it may damage rubber seals (door seal, drain hoses, pump components etc.)

I would use it in my toilet which is ceramic and therefore resistant to chemical attack.

http://www.jeyes.com/en-gb/our-produ...ozone/#Kitchen & utility

http://www.covertcleaningsupplies.co...one5Litres.pdf

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Originally Posted by peterb

Parazone is a chlorine based bleach - personally I wouldn't put it in my washing machine where it may damage rubber seals (door seal, drain hoses, pump components etc.)

I would use it in my toilet which is ceramic and therefore resistant to chemical attack.

http://www.jeyes.com/en-gb/our-produ...ozone/#Kitchen & utility

http://www.covertcleaningsupplies.co...one5Litres.pdf

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according to the box it is an oxygen based bleach. I will do some investigating and report back.

According to the data sheet, the main constituent is sodium hypochlorite, which is the basis for chlorine based bleaches. Oxygen based bleaches are (iirc) based on hydrogen peroxide.