Smell from clothes after washing

Snabe · 31-08-2013 09:47PM #1

our freshly cleaned clothes are smelling a bit sour, like they've been folded when wet and left damp for ages. they never smell like the washing powder or conditioner i'm using. i ran a 90 degree wash with bleach the other day but the clothes are still smelling bad.
anything else i can do? i have no idea how old the machine is. the previous owners of our house left it behind. we checked the filter and it's all clean

Fries-With-That · 31-08-2013 10:21PM

Snabe wrote: »

our freshly cleaned clothes are smelling a bit sour, like they've been folded when wet and left damp for ages. they never smell like the washing powder or conditioner i'm using. i ran a 90 degree wash with bleach the other day but the clothes are still smelling bad.
anything else i can do? i have no idea how old the machine is. the previous owners of our house left it behind. we checked the filter and it's all clean

I've noticed this too over the last few weeks, we've changed washing powder to one of the liquid ones and things have improved.

We're also putting less clothes in the machine.

I'm not sure of the reason but I do think its something to do with the new lower temperature recommendations for the powders and liquids.

Snabe · 31-08-2013 10:42PM

i'm already using a liquid. i wash on 40. what temp are you washing on?

eggox · 31-08-2013 10:46PM

Snabe wrote: »

i'm already using a liquid. i wash on 40. what temp are you washing on?

40 degree wash is the right temp for bacteria to grow, do a ninety degree wash once a week and itll kill all the mould and bacteria that is makeing your washing machine smell

Snabe · 31-08-2013 10:50PM

and do i need to add anything to that 90 degree wash? my mam told me to put some bleach in and wash on 90 with the machine empty. maybe i need to do this a few times initially? i did it yesterday and no difference in the clothes i washed today

Fries-With-That · 31-08-2013 10:54PM

Snabe wrote: »

i'm already using a liquid. i wash on 40. what temp are you washing on?

Same here, 40degree wash, but we are also only washing a few items at a time and it has made a difference.

worded · 31-08-2013 10:58PM

Same problem. Will give the bleach wash at high temp a go.

I hear replacing the pump can work if that doesn't. Bit of an extreme fix though

hidinginthebush · 31-08-2013 10:59PM

We had this problem. Give the matching a good clean, in behind the door seal and the liquid drawer things can get unpleasant, so be sure to focus there. You could try throwing vinegar into the drawer and putting a wash on at 60 or so.

Also I've found it helps if you leave the door open after a wash to let things dry out.

If the smell persists, a few caps of vinegar in the liquid drawer when throwing a load on usually sorts it, and don't worry, the clothes won't come out smelling like vinegar.

2 stroke · 01-09-2013 12:26AM

Had same problem when using liquid detergent and with tablets. If you are sure its not a blocked filter, try a few washes with Surf powder, that solved our problem. Since then, we're on our second big box of Lidl powder now with no problems, and we very rarely wash above 40°.

Snabe · 01-09-2013 10:04PM

yeah we checked the filter - all good there. i did another 90 degree wash with bleach, and then did a clothes wash on 50 and they came out smelling great for the first time in ages

The Red Ace · 02-09-2013 05:30PM

folks the reason this happens with washers nowadays is due to type of outer tub fitted to most washing machines now. to strengthen the back of the tub which is made of glorified plastic it is constructed like a honeycomb to give it strength unlike the old enamel tubs which were smooth and which sludge didn't stick to when spinning. these honeycomb like cavaties fill up with sludge over a period giving off the odour so the cure is a high temp wash without clothes every few months to keep them clean

Smell from clothes after washing

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