Whiffy washing machine, advice from my repair chap!

Sometimes the dispenser drawer and area around it can get gungy and whiffy. Removing and cleaning the drawer (underneath too) and the cavity where it lives gets rid of the smell.

I've been dealing with this very problem this week and found an area behind the rubber seal and I'm ashamed to say I didn't know it was there! Consequently, it's never been cleaned.

It's behind the seal directly in front of the drum. I lifted the seal nearest the drum and found another ridge which was dare I say, black! I had to go all the way round clawing at the ridge to clean it. Poor design? What is it there for? Is it just my machine? I'd used two types of cleaner before I found it and now it's had the Zoflora Fresh Linen treatment the odour has gone. I know now that I must clean it with my hands and a cloth from time to time.

I used to have a whiffy washing machine. But then again I did wash horse blankets in it. Didn’t go down well with the older 2 children. ?

The mould is caused by shutting the door when not in use. I still get some mould in the drawer compartment though. Well not in it but when I take the thing out altogether there is mould underneath. I wipe as much out as I can and then spray it with mould and mildew spray. I use a dr beckmans cleaning fluid to wash the pipes out a couple of times a year.

Nothing worse than a wiffy washer ?

I live in a soft water area, use Lidl liquid detergent at about half the recommended dose and Lidl fabric softener, wash most of the time on a quick low temperature wash and always leave the machine door open. I clean the filter, rubber seal and detergent drawer once in a blue moon.
I have NEVER had a smelly machine and my laundry puts the neighbours to shame (their words). So reading all your experiences makes me guess that not shutting the machine door is what makes the difference.

I keep it simple - have allergies so use a laundry egg at 30 degrees instead of detergent for everything except whites. A bargain at £10 and lasts two years. It ionises the water to remove dirt.

For whites I just use soda crystals at 60 degrees. No fabric softener. Always leave the door and drawer open a little. Nice clean washing - and no smells.

Seems to be a summer thing, no matter what I try, I can't get rid of it,
But come winter it disappears of it's own accord, despite central heating.

I use some thick bleach every time I wask bed linend or dog blankets and it seesm to keep the machn clean.

My daughter swears by kill rock she said it’s the best thing she has ever used!

What on earth is kill rock? Even Google can’t tell me.

Just run a hot wash with no clothes, but add white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda to the water.

I use washing soda crystals and the macn's hottest wash- 60 degrees. Seldom get smelly as I use some thick bleach when I am washing dog blankets.

My washing machine is not smelly. I only use a liquid detergent in the machine (not the drawer), and no softeners, only white vinegar in the drawer. I leave both the door and the drawer open between washes. I also run a 90 degree wash every few weeks, with no clothes, plus white vinegar.