Smelly washing machine!

I use Aldi or Lidl powder and softener in the drawer, a cool wash and leave the door open afterwards to help it dry out between washes. I rarely wash anything at 60 unless someone's been ill and never above that temperature.
My machine doesn't smell and the detergent drawer is completely clean and not remotely gunky like it used to be in my old washer after using liquid detergent.

Make sure you use the 'drain' function (if it has one) after you have finished washing and empty the sump. Water left in the sump rapidly becomes stagnant and is a breeding ground for nasty, smelly, bacteria.

Katek, I think it is wise to wash most clothes at a cooler temperature, but towels and bedding will begin to show bacterial stains at some point unless they get a really HOT wash at least every other time. So I opt for being environmentally aware most, but not all, the time.
As many have said above, I always use measured detergent + soda crystals directly into the drum, and leave the door and the tray open when not in use. But the tray still needs a good scrubbing out every six months or so.

Katek, the other problem with using cool washes is I read that the water needs to be 60 degrees to actually kill germs on clothes. After I read that I selfishly started washing hotter (on those clothes that allow it)

I've been using capsules and I think mine is going smelly again. I think bio powder for my next wash may flush out gunge collecting in the tube between the powder dispenser and the drum, which has been bypassed by using capsules in the drum itself

Always leave the door open after each wash and also the detergent drawer as well..slightly. I alternate between powder for hot washes and liquid for colours.NEVER pods.I also put the powder directly into the drum with a small scoop of soda crystals and likewise when I use liquid . Inside the detergent drawer before starting the wash I add white vinegar and the fabric softener is always the pure non fragrant one. A washing machine engineer told me many years ago that it's using the dispenser drawers for the washing powders that cause the most problems. You can still buy washing powder in tablet form for hot washing but I,ve got use to just measuring out the powder now. Also always clean the rubber seal after each use as it can get a build up of gunk.

I used to be in the business... after the 90 degree maintenance wash using powder, continue using powder for normal washing. Liquids and tabs cause a build up of smelly sticky grey goo inside the machine. Leave the door open when not in use and remove the soap dispenser regularly to clean under the tap.

White wine vinegar & bicarb works a treat for a good clean but I've also successfully used a really cheap product designed for the purpose from Home Bargains & it's pretty good too

I have never had a problem with Fairy powder and Fairy softener and it gets the wash nice and soft. Only use the recommended amount though, and leave the door open after each wash so it can dry out.

Gosh....so many helpful suggestions! I shall work my way through them starting with the washing soda. I think part of the problem is I use 30 degree washes a lot. Seems trying to be environmentally aware leads to other issues!

We keep the smelly bacteria at bay with a cap full of Dettol in the drawer every other wash.

Every so often you have to change the filter. Take out the washing powder drawer and rinse it regularly. Take it out completely, do not just pull it out. You will be surprised how much 'gunk' collects at the back of the drawer and this sets up bacteria that can end up in your clothes making you ill. It also smells bad. A bit like sweaty socks if you leave it and do not clean regularly. A sure sign this needs doing is water on the floor as if the drawer is leaking. You might also find that washing powder that has not dissolved has collected there as well blocking the filter.

Next time you're doing especially dirty clothes add two cups of vinegar which cleans clothes and dissolves soap scum in hoses ( the usual smelly cause) happy washing day to you.

I always use powder or powder tablets and never a 30 degree wash. Last wash of the day is the towels and tea towels on the hottest wash, then drawer is removed and cleaned with an old toothbrush and dried off before being replaced, washer door is left open until drum and seals are thoroughly dry. In 50 years of marriage I have never had a smelly washer.

No fabric softener in machine
Only put liquid soap in a small ball container straight inside drum with washing never had this problem

Take the detergent tray out and drop it in a bucket of boiling water and bleach, it's a hive of mould in most machines. Then clean the area where the tray fits, all the way to the back paying attention to the part above the tray (you may need a torch to see).

Also, the front seal/gasket collects lint and then builds up mould, so you have to pull that back and use a cloth to scoop that area out and then bleach with hot water there as well. Because the door fits so tightly, that is one of the worst places for the smellies to accumulate.

After a wash, leave the door open, do not close it, even if inconvenient. Close it when you are sure it's dry inside.

Because we do not regularly tend to use a hot wash cycle, mould grows behind the drum as well because of the low temp washing products.

Speaking from experience... we let several flats with washers and the young folk also tend to start a wash then go off to work, so it sits in there all day as well and their clothes then smell compounding the problem with the mouldy detergent tray.

We try to encourage them to start the wash when they come home from work, then take it out before bed and leave the door open. Even if you don't get a chance to put it on the airing rack...take it out and put in a laundry basket so the clothes can breathe fresh air!

Good luck!

To prevent the smelly scum that builds up in areas you can't get at in a washing machine needs a minimum of attention EVERY time you use it not every now and then.

There are products on the market that do this and my favourite is an own brand from a well known hardware store
You can order online and get delivered unless you have this particular store in your own area.

After the last thread I stopped using the liguid gel capsules and went back to the powder haven't had a problem since, still use softnor and it never smells

I had the same problem - the machine smelt as though there was something rather dead inside. I tried everything including soda crystals and bleach but no luck. A friend told me she had had the same problem and to stop using Lenor. That did the trick. I now use Waitrose essentials conditioner and there is no problem with that at all plus it is much, much cheaper.

My ancient 10 + year old Bosch Maxx developed a smell. I ran Dr Beckmann through several washing cycles, and it seems to have done the trick.

I don't want to replace the machine as it has been so reliable, and in all those years never needed a service engineer to call.

We do a hot wash every so often and don't really get a problem with a smelly machine. Taking the drawer out and washing it helps, check and clean the filter every couple of months. Wipe round the drum and collar after every wash.

I always left the door ajar after use and, even though I used softener in the machine, never had the smelly problem. However, I was living alone and had no GC around to poke things in it or climb in themselves.

Since I moved I now share communal laundry facilities. Despite an assortment of powders, liquids, bleach and softeners being used at various temperatures, I have never noticed a smell from the large washing machine - but it is in almost constant use between 8am and 4pm each day!

Mine did too, and smelled worse after bleaching. In the end I found I can control it by doing one of its 95degree washes every 4 or 5 cooler washes and leave the door open after.

It doesn't smell before I clean it, I had to call an engineer out, turned out the pump was clogged with detergent, he changed pump and advised that I put cleaning agent through every couple of months, I do it twice a year at most, but also use both liquid and powder detergent for different washes as recommended.

Definately no fabric softener. I use soda crystals and a very hot wash. It solved my problem and no more mouldy build up in the drawer.