Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 I'm also giving this a bump up to ask - are any of the alternatives better than Ecover wash liquid for preventing the revolting smell from my washing machine? The outflow pipe is very long and runs under the cupboards to the sink drain - I'm pretty sure it doesn't drain properly. Whenever the machine has been unused for a day or two there is a horrible eggy stink from the sink when it empties. I've tried putting bokashi liquid through it to see if I can oust the smelly bacteria with friendly unsmelly ones, but the smelly ones win hands down every time. I'm getting desperate and don't want to resort to bleach! I find ecover wash liquid and softener are good and they don't upset YSs sensitive skin, the limescale remover and loo cleaner work really well and I'm quite happy with the washing-up liquid. OH doesn't like the surface lcleaner though and keeps buying antibacterial ones - I can't persuade him that washing the germs off is just as effective as poisoning them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Apparently, eco washing products and low temperature washes are not good for machines (in a cleansing way) as they don't clear 'em out properly. The solution to a smelly machine is a really hot wash once a month (empty) with maybe soda crystals or white vinegar in. Your long outflow pipe could be part of the problem too I am sure other Omleteers will be along soon with more suggestions as there has been a previous thread about this a while ago. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Just hurried off to do a search, because I remembered this topic had come up before! Take a look at the thread here - can't remember what the suggestions were, without reading all through it, but I seem to think there was a solution. Ask Omlet - there's always someone who knows! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 Oh you are wonderful! I knew Omlet would have the answer! The long outflow pipe is part of the problem, also it connects to the sink outflow which can't help (we inherited this arrangement when we moved in six months ago - our previous place had separate pipes and the machine never smelled like this!). But I will be trying all these tips and we are doing a shop this morning, so I'll add napisan, soda crystals, white vinegar and bicarb to my list. I love the idea of adding less gunk to our clothes so will be trying the vinegar as a softener too and switching back to long washes. I'll let you know how I get on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted May 26, 2008 Share Posted May 26, 2008 Well I have taken your advice; the smell is definitely better... I blasted both the sink and machine with washing soda, and have been doing long washes with Napisan in (and my whites are very very white!). The vinegar is amazing - it really cleared all the gunk out of the machine -all the nasty scum has gone, although OH has yet to be convinced it works as a fabric softener. He doesn't have much choice unless he wants to take over laundry duty! Well done Omleteers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-J Posted June 4, 2008 Share Posted June 4, 2008 I love this site!! I'm getting so much useful information from people who seem to think like me and who don't think my head is turned when i say that I'd rather not use lots of chemical, bleach etc... I've had washing machine problems myself recently, in spite of not using fabric conditioner for years. I was blaming it on the machine being 8 years old, washing the dogs towel's and bed periodically and me not having been very good about "airing the drawer" and leaving the door open- doing these things recently has helped a little but not completely. Can't wait to try the vinegar- had tried this before as a fabric conditioner but I think I may have added too small an amount to make a difference. Thanks everyone Spike-j Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bexiboo Posted June 11, 2008 Share Posted June 11, 2008 I have started trying the Co-ops eco washing stuff. The dishwasher tablets are brilliant. They are on offer at the moment £2 for 20. The washing liquid works well too. I am going to try the washing up liquid next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted June 12, 2008 Share Posted June 12, 2008 I have started trying the Co-ops eco washing stuff. The dishwasher tablets are brilliant. They are on offer at the moment £2 for 20. The washing liquid works well too. I am going to try the washing up liquid next. I am using the washing up liquid at the moment and it is doing its job well according to OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I use quite a lot of the Tesco Naturally range and haven't any complaints about any product. I particularly like the fabric conditioner, makes clothes smell lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
