soapdragon Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 In spite of having just run a cleaner through the washing machine its still not very 'fresh'; my washing comes out smelling a bit like a cross between a charity shop and vacant holiday cottage ! I often put a wash in in the evening and programme it to finish around 7.00am to hang up after breakfast so sometimes washing does sit in there for a while. I use an unscented powder and eco fab softener as YS is a bit sensitive to perfumes. I generally set it on a 40 degree cycle. As the bog standard cleaner (Dr Beckman, I think it was) has had no effect on the smell can anyone suggest any other way of 'deodorising' the machine? I have heard about bicarb of soda but don't know how much to use or even if its effective - any tips very gratefully received. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Probably not very eco-friendly but I occasionally pour a little bleach into the drawer then run an empty 90 degree wash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daphne Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I do sometimes do a boil wash with an empty machine to shift smells and it does work. However, I can't remember if I use bicarb and vinegar or just one of them perhaps try googling it. I don't have a tumble dryer and I've noticed more smells over this wet summer when I can't hang the washing out and its had to be draped over clothes horses/rads etc - I've come to the conclusion it just doesn't work well enough, possibly because the rads stop enough airflow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I sometimes run the washing machine on an empty 90 degree wash with bleach as well. always followed by a white wash just in any bleach has not quite been washed through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 An empty 90 deg wash with a cupful of washing soda should do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 The important thing is to clean the seal around the front - mine gets clogged with grey smelly goo,& I have to service it once a month with a good clean & a pack of Dr Beckmans. The only way I can remember is to put a rolling reminder on my Google calendar for the 1st of every month Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I'd suggest running it through on a hot cycle with a load of Napisan. Try to leave the door open when it's not being used and that should sort it. I also sometimes wash overnight and leave it until the morning but haven't had a pong problem yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 You can buy a special washing machine cleaner and it really does work. I bought mine from Sainsburys, but can't recall the exact name of it, but I know it wasn't cheap. I only had to use it once and never had a problem again. I think often these smells are caused by closing the door when the machine still has some moisture in it. I try to wipe the rubber seal on mine and leave the door open as much as possible between using it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I chuck a dishwasher tablet in mine on a hot empty wash once in a while - it works and get rid of the greasy build up you can get with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I get this too (am not organised enough tp remember to fix it regularly ) as I only use non-bio/hypoallergenic/unscented products When the machine gets a bit whiffy I put my cleaning cloths in a 90 degree wash with a whole bottle of white vinegar (I wash the cloths as much to feel I'm not wasting a whole, expensive hot wash as much as anything else!) I also put essential oil (just a drop or two - usually lavender) in hypoallergenic fabric conditioner now and again Agree with cinnamon re the goo on the seal - that can get grim - and the smell seems to come from the folds in that as much as anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 White vinegar is good to get rid of any goo build-up, as is washing soda. Phil once ran some dishwasher cleaner though mine after he'd used it to dye something black i have to say that it was super-sparkly afterwards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 That's a good idea, I will try the dishwasher tablet idea. My dishwasher is as fresh as a daisy, but my washing machine does get a bit pongy sometimes despite a couple of 60 degree washes per week and leaving it open when empty. I have used the Dr Beckman product and it works but only for a few days. I don't do overnight washes and never really have and washing rarely sits in the machine for long. My personal view is that the minimum wash temperature should be 40 degrees, items just don't get clean at 30 degrees as suggested by quite a few clothing manufacturers and washing powder packets. I think there was a thread about this on here maybe about a year ago. I also wash all towels and bedding at at least 60 degrees with the occasional 75/90 degree wash for grubby teenage bedding I have used Napisan in my white and bedding washes too but I can't seem to always be able to get hold of it in my local supermarkets. Napisan does help to keep everything fresh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercedes55 Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I found the stuff I got from Sainsburys, it's called Dr Beckmann Service It Deep Clean and it's £3.06 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Liz, I don't have any problem getting hold of Napisan, the supermarkets and chemists around here all have it in their baby section, as does Ocado. Hope that you find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Maybe that's where I am going wrong I have only found it a couple of times in the washing powder section, didn't think to look in the baby section, it has been many a year since I ventured there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadietoo Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Just wanted to say thanks for posting...you reminded me I needed to do something about my washing machine. have tried Soda Crystals today and very hot wash and will see if that improves things.... I agree that I don't think 30degree washes get things clean, and certainly don't improve the flora and fauna in my machine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Washing soda will help to get rid of any washing liquid/powder/softener slime and limescale; white vinegar will do the same with the added benefit of deodorising too... if you don't mind the short-term whiff of vinegar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Groovychook Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 When the engineer came out to look at my dearly departed washing machine earlier in the year, he told me that using eco washing products (which I always had) and washing at 40 degrees spelt disaster for most machines. He said that you need to run a couple of hotter washes a week with a bio product once a week to get rid of all the nasties. Not very eco friendly, but I've started doing it just to prolong the life of my new machine. I also do the white wine vinegar thing once in a while... makes it gleam! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackrocksrock Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I seem to have the same problem - just came to light as I have started using Surcare and surcare fabric conditioner - no nasties and guess what a sour smell - I did the machine with vinegar about 5 nights ago and i am still smelling it!!. Dishwasher tablet next! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abwsco Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Well, I've used Ecover non bio powder for as long as I can remember and have never had a problem with smells. My last machine lasted over 13 years, previous one 15+ years with no smells. However, I never use fabric conditioner and all washes are done at 40 apart from bedding at 60. The maintenance wash I do every two months or so (when I remember) is always with Ecover non bio powder on hottest wash possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 After reading all of the advice here, I've just put a dishwasher tablet into mine and am running it on a 95deg programme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coppers Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Me too xxx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soapdragon Posted August 17, 2012 Author Share Posted August 17, 2012 Wow, you are all brilliant! Thanks for all the tips - I will try a dishwasher tab on a 60 degree tomorrow (as I don't think I have any white vinegar, Napisan or washing soda!) Will see how it goes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Looney Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 I'm starting to wish I had a dishwasher so I could use a dishwasher tab in my washing machine! My machine was really stinky and gunked up (the grey goo in the door seal) and clothes were coming out with mucky streaks on them! How delightful! I used two Dr Beckmanns washing machine cleaner treatments and a good dose of elbow grease to clean the seal! Fingers crossed it smells better and hopefully won't get as grotty as quickly again. I have found that using powder (rather than liquid) makes the problem worse in my machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goosey Lucy Posted August 17, 2012 Share Posted August 17, 2012 Mine is now all gleaming and sparkly, thanks for the suggestions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
