My washing machine is developing a smell. I've never had this problem before and am stumped. It just smells like sitting water... mildew or algae or something. I've tried leaving it open between loads hoping it would dry out, no luck. What do you do?
2007-01-20 04:44:09 · 10 answers · asked by Colleen B 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
Hi there,
here are a few tips that may help to stop it being so whiffy...
Pour vinegar into all the recepticles i.e; pre-wash, main wash and the fabric softener recepticle. Set your maschine for a full cycle on the hottest choice you have... Repeat as neccessary.
Washing Soda, i.e; Borax, will give it a good purge too, (as a bonus, it also helps to keep washing nice and soft) Use as above for a few times, then just a little with each wash.
Good old salt is also a help, particulatly if water is hard.
Clean your filter, make sure nothing is clogged in there. Do this often. Soggy fluff will just smell!!
Don't use fabric softeners at all,,,, not neccessary, and not good for your washing maschine or your dryer for that matter,,, there is something about it that just clogs and slimes everything up..
Is it the maschine itself?? Check the outgoing pump area,,,any sitting water will reek after a while, or take a look at the back, perhaps there is a leak somewhere, creating a puddle and of course that 'orrible smell..
It could even be just a sock or similar, that has fallen behind the maschine. They get really reeky if left undiscovered.
Check the sump.
Use vinegar in all your washes, you don't smell it in the clothes and it is a disinfectant plus , if you have hard water, helps keep the working parts limescale free.
It really is awful I know,,, hope you can get rid of the problem soon.
All the best....
2007-01-20 05:18:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash the Washer! Wash machines need to be cleaned every so often. Use a gallon of distilled vinegar with warm water. Run thru a wash/rinse cycle. This should clear up odor in the machine and the hoses. Be sure to vacuum under the machine and the backside also. Wet dust smells terrible.
2007-01-20 04:55:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like you have a small leak. Pull the washing machine out to see if there is water leaking causing mildew to grow and develop. To kill the mildew, spray a bleach/water solution on it. Let sit and wipe up. If the leaking hose is the incoming water line, you can easily replace this, if it is a hose on your machine, need to call an appliance repairman
2007-01-20 05:29:08 · answer #3 · answered by Gary S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I run a load with just water and bleach, or even Scrubbing Bubbles. That usually does the trick. I have the same problem...I also leave the door open all the time.
Good luck.
2007-01-20 05:10:43 · answer #4 · answered by The_Cricket: Thinking Pink! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use 1/2 gallon white vinegar. Run a full cycle minus clothing, add vinegar. Smell should be gone. This works well in dishwashers too (minus the dishes). Good luck!!
2007-01-20 05:02:39 · answer #5 · answered by Mrs. C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let your washer fill with hot water (no cloths) put 2 cups of bleach in the water and let it run through the cycles. Leave the lid up when finished. Should do it.
2007-01-20 04:52:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Run it empty on the hottest program you have and in future always leave the door open so that it has a chance to dry out on the inside.
If you do that anyway you may have a leak somewhere.
good luck.
2007-01-20 19:09:54 · answer #7 · answered by ghds 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run a hot wash with a gallon of vinegar!
2007-01-20 05:08:38 · answer #8 · answered by Honesty given here! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How long do you let a washed load sit in it? You need to take them out immediately not after sitting in it all day. Spray Lysol in it... and let it sit.... ALso do you have your own septic system??
maybe there is a problem there.
2007-01-20 04:49:03 · answer #9 · answered by Pooh 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Run it with hot water and strong Bleach solution without any clothes in it!
2007-01-20 04:52:28 · answer #10 · answered by Lucky 7 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋