Washing Machine Smells Stale

Jennykenny | 01:07 Sun 04th May 2014 | Home & Garden

14 Answers

Despite running a very hot wash with bleach, my washing machine, less than four years old, smells stale, and I can't seem to shift it.
Any thoughts??

The Mayflower Is Out

Electric Oven

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douglas9401

Best Answer

First check that there's nothing stuck in the filter trap, usually on the front of the machine at the bottom. Next, down to the pound shop for a couple of bags of soda crystals (NOT caustic soda), put some crystals in the soap dispenser and the rest in the drum. Run the machine, empty, on the hottest wash then check. If the guff's still there repeat and that should...

08:20 Sun 04th May 2014

Go To Best Answer

snags

Have a read of the Related Questions down there v v v

-- answer removed --

Cloverjo

Probably a blockage somewhere and stale water can't escape. If you don't feel confident taking it apart yourself (have lots of towels ready), you might have to get someone in to do it.

KARL

I would run the machine empty of clothing and no soap to the point where it has reached full temperature at the hottest wash, and just started tumbling but NOT pumped out. At that point I would switch it off and leave it ovrernight. I would then start it up at the start of the hottest cycle again (still no clothing), this time with soap (no conditioner) and let it run through to the end of the programme. The theory being that all scum, etc. will be sterilised and hopefully loosened from crevices and flushed out.

douglas9401

First check that there's nothing stuck in the filter trap, usually on the front of the machine at the bottom.
Next, down to the pound shop for a couple of bags of soda crystals (NOT caustic soda), put some crystals in the soap dispenser and the rest in the drum. Run the machine, empty, on the hottest wash then check. If the guff's still there repeat and that should do it.
When the smell's gone, leave the door ajar every time after use to allow air circulation.
I do that once a month now and no problems.
Good luck.

vignon

After you have emptied the wash, pour a cheap pine smelling disinfectant into the soap drawer which will kill any bacteria(smell) build up in water which is left in the machine drum as the pump does not clear all of it.

fairycakes69

Soda crystals work a treat, had the same problem, did the crystals and was advised to stop using liquid and use powder instead, if you wash on a low temp, do a hot wash once a month, I've not had any problems since.