Washing machine drum smells like cat

BG2

Hi all,

My cat urinated [several times] on my housemates curtains when she had a bladder infection. My housemate washed the curtains in the washing machine, after soaking them in special stuff first. Anyway, now the drum smells like cat wee. And all clothes that come out do.

I tried doing a wash without any clothes but nothing. I've had suggestions of vinegar and bleach but not sure if i should put these in the drum or drawer and if the wash should be hot or cold?

Any tips please?! Lots of laundry to do!

knighted_1

never put bleach in - run machine empty on a 90 degree wash with half a cup of vinegar

BG2

Thanks! And should I put the vinegar in the drum or in the drawer?

knighted_1

either one is grand

Dizzyblonde

Bread soda is great for absorbing smells - you could put a cupful into the powder drawer and put it on a wash cycle.

johndoe99

had a similar problem, put in a capful of dettol and do a quick wash.

knighted_1

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Bread soda is great for absorbing smells - you could put a cupful into the powder drawer and put it on a wash cycle.

dont use bread soda -when bread soda mixes with water it acts like caustic and attacks the rubber in the machine internally .you will be wondering why you have a leaky machine in the future

i advised vinegar as this can break down the limescale also and this is where a lot of smells cling on to in a machine

John Mason

also make sure you empty the filter.

we had a really bad smell and it was loads of fluff and a 2e coin jammed in the filter

Joey the lips

knighted_1 wrote: »

dont use bread soda -when bread soda mixes with water it acts like caustic and attacks the rubber in the machine internally .you will be wondering why you have a leaky machine in the future

i advised vinegar as this can break down the limescale also and this is where a lot of smells cling on to in a machine

Was just about to say that..:eek:

Solair

The smell in cat pee is very effectively neutralized by enzymes.

Put 2 scoops of persil bio into the empty drum and run the longest 40C cotton cycle on the machine. Try adding any level raising options like wash plus or water plus etc but do not use prewash.

Persil is the only one that will work on this, I've tested it out when our cat has peed on the floor. It contains lipase, amongst other enzymes, which seems to do the trick.

40C is ideal for enzyme activity. If you use higher temps the enzymes stop working as the machine gets hotter.

BG2

Thanks for all the replies.

The vinegar worked wonders so thanks very much @knighted_1!