Washing Machine Problem (Smell)

crosstownk

The washing machine smells of damp. This smell is being transferred to the clothes.

I noticed this smell a week ago and emptied the water trap and cleaned it as best I could. I also cleaned around the door seal. Then I ran a few wash cycles with the machine empty and added some Milton via the detergent drawer.

Great! The next couple of washes were perfect but now the smell is back. I think I've nailed the source down to the door seal. In order for me to clean it correctly and to get in behind it, I'll need to remove it. There seems to be some sort of a clip (like an elaborate cable tie) that secures the seal. How do I remove this clip? Is it reusable? Is the seal difficult to refit?

Also, has anyone else experienced such a smell from a washing machine and if so how did you get rid of it?

A bit of Googling suggested I put bleach in the machine which may cure the problem but I'm reluctant to do this in case the bleach damages other internal components.

The machine is a Zanussi ZWF 1011W. The drain pump appears to be working fine.

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

Gone West

crosstownk wrote: »

The washing machine smells of damp. This smell is being transferred to the clothes.

I noticed this smell a week ago
Also, has anyone else experienced such a smell from a washing machine and if so how did you get rid of it?

Any help/advice is much appreciated.

Just ask her to shower with soap daily and to dry off properly after every shower???

knighted_1

run the machine empty on a 90 degree wash - throw in half a cup of vinegar should solve your problem

the smell is caused from bacteria build up from washing at low temp - the washing powder isnt dissolving properly and builds in the pipework and doorseal ,bacteria grows etc - scald it out with the 90 degree with vinegar

any install or machine that i supply ,i always advise the customers to run a 90 degree wash empty at least 3 times a year or every 3 mths -preventative maintainance

crosstownk

knighted_1 wrote: »

run the machine empty on a 90 degree wash - throw in half a cup of vinegar should solve your problem

Thanks. I'll give that a shot now. I've just cleaned the door seal again and got more shíte out.

Mountjoy Mugger

Let us know how you got on. I never heard that tip, so I'd be interested in trying it.

maximoose

having the same problem myself at the moment, will give the 90 degree wash a go this evening!

crosstownk

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

Let us know how you got on. I never heard that tip, so I'd be interested in trying it.

I ran the 90 degree wash with vinegar yesterday then ran two wash loads and no smell.

However, I did similar (with Milton rather than vinegar) a week ago and the smell returned after a few days. I'll give it a week or so and report back then.

Dizzyblonde

Are you using those 'small and mighty' bottles of detergent? If so that's the problem. They don't contain bleaching agents like the powders do. I've had this problem in the past, as have lots of other people, and once you go back to using powder the smell disappears.

MIRMIR82

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Are you using those 'small and mighty' bottles of detergent? If so that's the problem. They don't contain bleaching agents like the powders do. I've had this problem in the past, as have lots of other people, and once you go back to using powder the smell disappears.

Wow - that's really interesting i use the 'small and mighty' bottles and have had this problem for a while - i've done the 90degree wash and the bleach thing- but it always comes back eventually.

I'm gonna finish the bottle i'm on now and change to powder, see how it goes-thnks dizzyblonde:)

knighted_1

dont use bleach on a washer EVER -

its caused by powder also as explained above its bacteria growing - it attaches itself to rubber pipes and LIMESCALE - bleaching or milton will not attack the limescale only vinegar will (acidic ) and the 90 degrees scalds the bacteria away hence no smell -process starts again so in a given time period repeat process -preventative maintenance just like you service your care

if any one uses colour catchers you should always pin them to an item of clothing

cgarrad

I had the same problem with tesco colour washing liquid, changed to Persil colour and it went first wash.

Shame its 3 times the price

crosstownk

Dizzyblonde wrote: »

Are you using those 'small and mighty' bottles of detergent? If so that's the problem. They don't contain bleaching agents like the powders do. I've had this problem in the past, as have lots of other people, and once you go back to using powder the smell disappears.

I've been using Persil Bio Capsules.



I did wonder if they were the cause and I also wonder what happens to the plastic capsule - I assume it safely dissolves in the wash.

knighted_1 wrote:

dont use bleach on a washer EVER

I did mention that I was reluctant to use bleach. However, the instruction manual recommends the use of Ace Laundry Bleach "in addition to your chosen detergent". I assume this bleach is rather weak in strength and therefore safe to use.

k123456

It might help in your washing machine is allowed to dry out. So if you are away for a few days, leave your wash machine door open.

There is a product you can buy, cant rem the name , but I think was discussed previuosly on this forum, that will remove the smell

Lenny

When your wash is finished an you take the clothes out do you leave the door open for an hour or two so it can dry on the inside?

twowheelsonly

Citric acid in powder form will do the same job as vinegar (it's the active ingredient in the vinegar ). You can usually buy it in sachets in a pharmacy and in some DIY stores. Just pop it in you Powder tray in the usual way and run the 90 degree wash.

crosstownk

Lenny wrote: »

When your wash is finished an you take the clothes out do you leave the door open for an hour or two so it can dry on the inside?

The door is never closed when the machine is not in use.

Anyway, 1 week and several loads later and all is well.