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My scary washing machine !

(43 Posts)
Granmarderby10 Fri 03-Oct-25 01:03:33

On reading your threads title rocketstop I envisaged the washer making its way noisily across the floor! 😶‍🌫️
I’d try the emergency draining and filter thingy (do all machines still have them?
Some can be hellishly difficult to unscrew though, it’s as if they’ve been glued in.

V3ra Thu 02-Oct-25 23:46:49

rocketstop have you thought about what detergent you use?
I use Tesco non-bio liquid, measured into the cap on the bottle it comes in and the cap placed in the drum on top of the washing.
No fabric conditioner as that can clog the pipes and grow mould.

kittylester Thu 02-Oct-25 11:35:33

Whitewavemark2

kitty I haven’t seen a door to door salesman for absolutely donkey’s years.

He is one of the so called 'Nottingham Knockers' and he actually lives in Nottingham. We send the others packing but try to buy from him if we can as he has been coming for years.

Mt61 Thu 02-Oct-25 11:27:28

Best thing I used in my old machine was a cup of soda crystals, you literally could see black stuff in the water being pumped out.
My washer engineer said best to use powder as soap pods rot the mechanism under the drum.
I alternate now as I have stocked up on soap pods.
New washer now, start as I mean to go on. I now take out the soap drawer, place in the sink until it drys. Open the door as well.
I find those integrated machines the worst for going mouldy.

Namsnanny Thu 02-Oct-25 11:24:11

Wwmk2 we use the hottest temp wash often, but still get problems. 🤔

Whitewavemark2 Thu 02-Oct-25 11:22:43

kitty I haven’t seen a door to door salesman for absolutely donkey’s years.

Namsnanny Thu 02-Oct-25 11:21:53

The stagnant water smell gives you a clue that it is most likely to be the sump. Or poss a problem in the pipes having a kink or blockage stopping them from draining properly?
I don't recall having the mouldy smell problem years ago. But like everyone else advised I now keep the door open when not in use (very irritating) and clean door seal with rubbing alcohol to kill bacteria.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 02-Oct-25 11:21:29

Hot wash - that’s all that’s needed. My linen is all white, and it gets washed once a week on the hottest temperature.

Clean sweet smelling machine and whitest of whites😊😊😊

kittylester Thu 02-Oct-25 11:18:15

Having had an awful lot of well used washing machines over the last 55 years, I have never had a smell from one nor do I leave the door open or clean the drawer.

I do, periodically, put a washing machine cleaner through but that's mainly because our favourite door to door salesman sells them and we like to buy from him.

I do, very occasionally, clean the sump thingy.

rocketstop Thu 02-Oct-25 11:10:16

Thanks for all your replies.
Yes I always leave the door open and dispenser tray out.(Note: Dispenser area has no smell, it seems to come from the drum)
The machine is not integral.
I have not investigated a 'Drainage sump' I take it that's different from a filter, neither of which are located at the bottom of my machine.

They come with VERY flimsy instructions these days, just a paper sheet with basic instructions, so I will look online to see if I can find this sump. I'm just so fed up of the smell when I've always done EXACTLY as I did with my old machine, funnily enough that one DID get a bit of mould on the door, but NEVER smelled !

windmill1 Wed 01-Oct-25 16:45:19

Nandalot

Have you cleaned the bit at the bottom, I think it is called the drainage sump. Last time I did that it was full of manky fluff. I suppose if it is holding stale water it could smell.

Yes, I'd subscribe to that. I took my machine almost apart and it was that in the end.

Shelflife Wed 01-Oct-25 16:40:16

I agree. leaving the door open is a must !

Netherbyg84 Wed 01-Oct-25 15:33:41

Leaving the door open between use is the way to avoid mildew and musty odour.

Visgir1 Wed 01-Oct-25 15:28:41

Do you have an integral machine? My DD had an integral washing machine in her last house, they had the kitchen fitted so it was from new she said the same after about a year. It said it was ridiculous basically having essentially a " cupboard" door open all the time to air the machine.
When they moved, they had a new kitchen fitted she decided to not have an integral one. She said it was easy and less intrusive to leave the door open all the time when it's not fitted in to the kitchen units.

Salti Wed 01-Oct-25 15:10:20

Does your machine have a "cleaning programme"? My latest one, (hotpoint) about a year old, does, but I had to read the paperwork to find out about it.

Nandalot Wed 01-Oct-25 15:09:37

Have you cleaned the bit at the bottom, I think it is called the drainage sump. Last time I did that it was full of manky fluff. I suppose if it is holding stale water it could smell.

V3ra Wed 01-Oct-25 14:40:16

Do you leave the door open when it's not in use so the air can circulate and everything can really dry out?
I also remove the detergent drawer when it's not in use for the same reason.

rocketstop Wed 01-Oct-25 14:36:13

Hi All,
Yes I know there have been threads about stinky washing machines but mine is a little different. Usually when a machine smells it's because the seal has gone mouldy etc, However...
My Machine is less than a year old and smells like fusty, musty old stagnant water.
I have always dried it after use, cleaned the door seal and detergent tray etc and I use different programmes.
I have tried all the usual things, white vinegar run through machine while it's empty. Disinfectant run through, wiped out with anti bac etc etc all to no avail. I could understand it if there was mould anywhere but there isn't.
Any ideas ? I'm fed up of it.