Whiffy washing machine, advice from my repair chap!

I've heard about this Phoenix and what worries me is this - what if the machine starts dancing around the kitchen in a wild fashion - you know what I mean!
I've been told that if a modern washing machine isn't loaded right, ie too much laundry or not enough, you get this problem as they are so sensitive to how they're loaded. I'll be interested to see how you get on.

I'm going to give my trusty" old-timer " a whirl with a dishwashing tablet sometime as I've detected a musty smell for long enough and keep forgetting to do something about it. It's been doing me proud for over 14 years now and I'm hanging on to it for as long as I can.
It keeps on doing everything I want it to. I had a previous one for 15 years and gave it away in the end, still working.

I’ve heard in the past from white goods’ repair people that a problem often occurs because so many of us wash at low temperatures. You need a very hot wash...with nothing in the machine except maybe white vinegar - say once a month to blitz the smelly little bugs. Also advised years ago that washing powder, especially at low temperatures can occasionally not dissolve properly and clump together in the pipes. My chap said loads of his breakdown call outs were due to that, so he said liquid or wash tabs were safer.

The advice you have sounds worth a try especially if you can’t access the filter. My dishwasher is currently cleaning itself and the kitchen is filled with lemony smells...I wonder if dishwasher cleaner in the washing machine might do the same job? I always used Dr Beckmann cleaner - works like a charm - but have been told white vinegar is a fraction of the price and works just as well.

Expect you know all this as you are wise ! ? Hope you have a sweet smelling machine again ASAP !

Have had mine since 2005 and considering it's a combination washer/dryer I'm amazed it's still going!

It's had a couple of visits from the repair man, new door catch once, can't remember what the other thing was, but as he charges a flat fee of £45 plus parts (no matter how long the job takes) I can't complain!

I've tried vinegar, lemon juice and the Dr Beckmann stuff with no joy, so giving this a go.

I had this problem all I did was change to washing powder, never had anymore smells .

Katyj tried every which one, and liquid, and pods, none of which cured the problem.

I wonder if it has something to do with the water temperature.

I know that many people are ecologically minded and rarely use a temperature above 30-40c .

I’m a bit OCD about my linen. Everything is white and I wash it at 95c , both sheets and towels. Everything else is washed according to label.

My machine has never ever smelt. So it may be that?

Well, it's definitely better!

Might give it another go tomorrow, especially as I (ahem) seem to have acquired 2 dishwasher tablets (we don't actually have a dishwasher, but there is one at work..........)

Phoenix- when my washing machine got sniffy, the repair chap said run it on a very hot wash a couple of times. He also advised strongly, never use liquid washing products
. It worked

About five years ago I stopped using fabric conditioner and started using white vinegar for rinsing. Machine hasn't smelt since.

Lots of people said it would damage the machine, but as it looked like it was going to die anyway I went ahead. Guess what. My ancient machine is still going strong (apart from the bleep to tell me it's finished, that stopped some years ago), no black mouldy bits around the drawer, no bad smells, washing smells nice.

OH went bananas when I told him what I was doing - he hates the smell of vinegar. When I told him I'd been doing it for six months already he shut up. When he realised we could buy about 20 litres of vinegar for the price of one bottle of fabric conditioner he even smiled.

I was old ages ago never to use liquid detergent or conditioner as they both leave slimy residue in the machine. I use powder detergent, never too much, and also add a scoop of washing soda to the drawer. This, along with an occasional very hot wash keeps my machine fresh.

Soda crystals are my wonder treatment. Washing machine on hot with just soda crystals, clears washing powder build up and smells. They're great for drains and shower too. I use once a month and they're cheap as chips.

Soda crystals does the job too.

I use soda and vinegar on the drains and sink.

Someone on here a while ago recommended a 90 deg wash with just soda crystals, no detergent.
My machine foamed up like mad, apparently from all the detergent/conditioner residue.

I repeated it and there was still foam.
I now use no conditioner, soda crystals in the drawer for every wash, and a lot less powder than I’d normally have used, directly into the drum.
I used to use pods or liquid - it’s all powder in cardboard boxes now - less plastic!

My washing machine has a clean cycle that flashes up every few washes. It harrasses me each time I load the machine until it has been carried out so we dont ignore it. Never had a smelly machine though, even before this one and have always dried off around the door and seal then left the drawer and door open slightly every time it has been used. I dont know what everyone else does but see people commenting about smelly machines in various places online.

Very hot wash once a month with washing soda. Give the door seal a really good wipe, get into the crevices. Don’t use washing liquid, it’s slimy. Unless your washing is really dirty, you need a lot less detergent than is recommended, especially if you’re in a soft water area.

I have gone back to using washing powder, I find it is the washing liquid and gels that make the machine smell. Once a month I also put a cap full of bleach in the wash drawer and do a hot wash

I also use soda crystals.....but if it’s really ponging,pause it mid cycle for a hour to let it do it’s stuff then unpause it and let it finish it’s cycle.

My daughter swears by kill rock she said it’s the best thing she has ever used!
Again she paused it mid cycle BUT she put a white cloth in at the same time she put the kill rock in and well the colour of the cloth was disgusting.

Another heads up for soda crystals - used 'em for years.
With white vinegar and lemon juice in the cupboard not a lot you can't clean !

I use soda crystals on a hot wash, then run a 'freshen up' wash with a cap of Zoflora in it (I use the Fresh Linen one, but that's probably succumbing to marketing ), and I'v never needed Calgon or any commercial washing machine cleaning products. Zoflora costs pennies in Home Bargains, and you only need a small amount to neutralise pongs after the soda crystals have worked their magic, so a bottle lasts for ages.

I find that using just liquid or liquid tablets seem to create the smell problem over time so I now use powder once every few weeks ! No more smells. Daughter in law tried this powder 'every now and again' - worked for her, too.

I use Soda Crystals to keep my washing machine clean too, does a great job. Might try the Zoflora tip next time too.