Washing machine works perfectly but smells of mildew

[Matt_N]

Ours gets quite grubby from the powder tray through to the waste pipe.

Get some of those washing machine cleaning kits, you clean out the powder tray, wipe the drum, seal etc then flush the cleaning stuff through on a hot wash, always freshens ours up.

Those liquid soap capsules seem to make ours worse, so we stick to powder.

[nyt]

Perhaps descaler- http://www.amazon.co.uk/Oust-Dishwasher-Washing-Ma...

You could also try bleach.

Have you run the hottest possible wash to kill the bugs that will be causing a musty smell?

Have you checked the filters? They could be full of smelly stuff.

Or perhaps the drainage pipe is kinked causing stagnant water to flow back into the machine.

[SeeFive]

Does this mc have a filter that may be clogged? Have you checked for a buildup of crud in the crannies of the door seal and behind the soap dispenser (it should come right out exposing a plethora of channels and potential,crud holders)?

Not an expert but that is where I would start.

[Hoofy]

If you keep the door closed when you're not using it, the machine can keep stagnant water inside the drum. Same for the drawer.

[e39darren]

A bottle of white vinegar and a bag of soda crystals ( total cost about a pound) and run it on the hottest wash when the machine is empty.
I do this once a month and it seems to keep the smell away.
I tried everything when mine started smelling and I was told to avoid using bleach as it can affect the rubber seals etc

[Enricogto]

Clean the filter, and do two cycles, one with a couple of lemons cut in haf in the drum at low temperature followed by an empty one at max temp. Then, every time after you use it, keep the lid and the soap tray open for a day to let them dry properly.

[Spare tyre]

funnily enough ours is smelling a bit

i drained it using the hose, then poured some really hot water in the machine and the dirty crap that came out was interesting


then i chucked an old towell in and washed it with just water on the highest setting, seemed to freshen things up

i always try to leave the door open a bit too

[theshrew]

You can buy some stuff to put in them and try doing a few empty runs on the hottest temp.

[jmorgan]

Run a regular hottest wash with biological powder. Called the maintenance wash by some. Usually I do the wash with no powder but biological powder has enzymes that will do a bit of cleaning.

Personally I avoid liquids and especially cold wash stuff, I use powder for whites and hot wash. Powders have bleach in them. Liquid tabs for coloured but not the stuff in a container.


Edit. Better add, do not put a full measure of powder in for a maintenance wash!! Results can be a bit interesting. Small amount, say level tea spoon at first to see how it foams up.

Edited by jmorgan on Monday 1st September 10:30

[megaphone]

Have you changed your powder/liquid? As said, 'colour' liquids at low temp cause problems, leaving the laundry in too long after the cycle has finished also causes it to smell. Shutting the door on a wet drum is also a bad idea.

Edited by megaphone on Monday 1st September 11:35

[KTF]

Have a look at the rubber seal round the door. On ours, water collects in the 'flap' - or whatever it is - at the bottom and starts going a bit mouldy.

The powder drawer goes a but mouldy as well so regular cleaning/keeping both parts open for a bit after you have finished using it should help.

[schmunk]

e39darren said:

A bottle of white vinegar and a bag of soda crystals ( total cost about a pound) and run it on the hottest wash when the machine is empty.
I do this once a month and it seems to keep the smell away.

Don't do this - I just tried it and have now cut my fingers picking the bits of broken bottle out of the drum.

[Spare tyre]

schmunk said:

Don't do this - I just tried it and have now cut my fingers picking the bits of broken bottle out of the drum.

wrap it in bubblewrap - stupid

[garycat]

Do a couple of washes on the hottest cycle with some towels or bedsheets in.

The smell usually comes from doing 40C washes which allows bacteria to grow, A 90C wash will kill it.

[evilmunkey]

I had the same issue, paid i think 3 quid for a little kit from the local wilkinsons shop , its worked very well indeed.

[Hoofy]

Spare tyre said:

schmunk said:

Don't do this - I just tried it and have now cut my fingers picking the bits of broken bottle out of the drum.

wrap it in bubblewrap - stupid

How do you get into the machine if you've wrapped it in bubblewrap?

-Stupid

[Davel]

We had a problem for a while and then switched from liquid detergent back to powder and the problem went away.

[Gazzab]

Same issue. As above I cleaned up the rubber seals and then left the door ajar between uses.

[marky1]

Run it very hot with soda crystals and white vinegar. Might need to do it 6 or 7 times.

[eastlmark]

sorry to disappoint you all but there is no cure.

The only cure is to not let it build up in the first place. Once you get a new machine:

Use powder detergent (2 box's one for whites and one for colours- its not just a sales ploy), do a 90 degree wash regularly (at least fortnightly and we all have some white towels that need a real hot wash anyway if not do it empty just with whites detergent.)

Wash stuff properly.... use the correct programme for what you are washing, forget about 20 degree washes and quick washes - lets face it they would not bother programming in the long washes if everything could be cleaned on a quick wash and its not like you are standing over it while it washes.

Use correct amount of detergent... this will depend on the hardness of your water- don't just go by what is says on the packet and don't guess at it. If you see inches of white foam inside then you are using too much. Water should just look cloudy- no foam.

Carry out the routine maintenance, remember the instruction book you placed in a draw unread? Maybe have a read of it now.