Smell from Washing Machine

Kiith

Right, i've noticed that my washing machine has been giving off a pretty bad smell recently, and its started to make my clothes smell as well. I read somewhere that adding some vinegar to the a 90 degree wash cycle, without any clothes, can help clean it. Do i add the vinegar like i would the detergant, or in the actual drum itself?

Also, if this doesnt work, any other (preferably easy) suggestions to get rid of the smell?

DublinWriter

Have you cleaned out the filter?

Thoie

Step 1 is find the filter and clean it out. On my machine there's a little door down the bottom right of the machine, with a screw out filter behind it. Put some paper and a bowl underneath it before unscrewing as there'll be some water in there (not gallons, but enough to wet the floor).

Step 2 is remove the soap tray and give it a good wash - they sometimes get mouldy. Read the instructions, but usually you pull it towards you, then angle up and pull again.

For the vinegar, I'd throw some in the drum and some in the conditioner tray.

evogirl

there is also a sanitizer you can buy for washing machines. it can be bought in big DIY stores. you just empty half the bottle into the drum and put on a full cycle. does the job for me anyhow.

Kiith

Havent cleaned the filter, as i have no idea where it is. To be fair, i havent really looked yet, as its only in the last few days that i've noticed the smell. Its an old enough washing machine, so i'll give that a try. Is the filter always in an easily reachable place? And i'm guessing the soap tray is where i put the detergent? If so, i'll try cleaning that as well (although it didnt look too bad from what i remember).

Dont have the instructions, as its a rented appartment. Guess i'll give the landlord a call if these dont work. Thanks for the tips.

Dizzyblonde

If you're using a liquid detergent this could be your problem because they don't have bleaching agents. It happened to my machine, and when I went back to using powder it was fine.

Alun

See this thread ... http://boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055580438 (I know the title says tumble dryer, but the suspicion was that it was in fact the washing machine at fault).

Basically it's the combination of liquid detergents and low temperature washing that causes most of these problems. Regularly clean out the soap dish, the filter and the rubber sealing ring between the body and the drum (beware ... you'll likely find lots of gunk and maybe mould in here!), and do a 'maintenance wash' every now and then (see the links in my last post in the thread above) and all will be fine.

BTW the filter is usually right at the bottom of the machine at the front, sometimes hidden behind the metal or plastic 'kick plate' which usually just comes off with a bit of a tug. Just unscrew the filter and clean it out, but beware .. some water will come out when you do this so have a cloth or a shallow tray or something ready to catch it.

byte

And if it's an older Hotpoint machine, it won't have a filter access hole at all.

You could also use washing soda instead of vinegar. Pour a cup of soda into the detergent drawer and use the hottest wash with no clothes.