Whiffy washing machine, advice from my repair chap!

My fairly new machine would not work, only giving a message code for ‘send for the engineer’

The problem was liquid detergent build up. The engineer advised ONE teaspoon of washing powder and a hot wash once a week. We have had no further problems or smells and the washing is clean and does not pong! I save quite a few pennies, a box of powder lasts for ever.

Use washing powder not liquid that will get rid of the smell.

I do that too Caro57

When not in use leave the door open as well

The same as most of you have advised. We live in a hard water area so I add soda crystals to every wash, I can then use half the recommended detergent. I haven’t used fabric conditioner for years, instead I use vinegar. Since doing this my washing machine stays much cleaner and no smell, the drawer has no nasty black bits either.

I use soda for my washing machine, sinks and shower plug.
Once a month the washing machine has a hot wash with soda,
The sinks too.
We had to have a plumber in because our kitchen sink was always blocking he advised us to use soda. Best thing we ever did.

Yup. Soda crystals in the wash every single time, and always dry the rubber seal around the door when finished.

My machine never smells because I do plenty of hot washes for bedding and towels- I had a friend once who’s husband was in charge of laundry and washed everything on a 40 degree wash☹️ The bath towels always smelled fousty and so did her machine. I usually place a cup of bicarbonate if soda and two cups of white vinegar in the drum once a month or so -to give everything a good clear out on a 95 degree wash cycle. Look after your machine and it should go on for years.

I regularly use a cup.of vinegar in my wash instead of fabric softener.

And I always leave the washing machine door open for a few hours after taking the laundry out. It helps to dry out the washing machine inside. Sometimes I take a cloth and wipe the rubber lining that separates the drum from the front of the washing machine to dry it out too.

It also helps prevent mould in the rubber.

Moving into our house in France, we discovered that the previous owners had kindly left their washing machine behind for us. Unfortunately the rubber inside was full of mould. It took lots of bleach and vinegar, and rubbing, to get it reasonably clean. It's much better now, more so with frequently leaving the machine's door open after washing.

A copious amount of white vinegar in every wash keeps nasty niffs away!

It worked!

Another vote for soda crystals here.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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!

I use soda and vinegar on the drains and sink.

Soda crystals does the job too.

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.

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.