My washing machine smells so badly...   What can I do ??

Unpleasant smells emanating from the washing machine are a problem which could be due to several reasons.

Smells tend to come from a prolonged and/or inappropriate use of the machine.

Unpleasant smells could be caused by a build-up of bacteria or mould. If this is the case it shouldn’t be ignored, as it’s a potential health hazard and could cause problems for people with sensitive skin or mould allergies.

Grease and grime can build up as a result of washing on a low heat. This can corrode vital parts of the machine.

Using liquid detergents or washing with colour-friendly detergents can lead to a build of grease, as these detergents do not contain any bleach.

It’s tempting to think that adding more than the recommended amount of tablets or powder will result in a better clean. This is a mistake, as doing this – especially at lower than recommended temperatures – can lead to lead to a build-up of dirt rather than grease.

You can counter problems of dirt or grease by running at least one maintenance wash. This involves running your machine with no load at the highest temperature the machine is able to, usually 60 or 90 degrees, using a heavy-duty detergent that has bleach (usually this will be biological powder).  For best results use a branded limescale and detergent remover or phone us on 0800 917 1722 for our recommendation.

Preventing washing machine smells building up can be helped along by making sure pockets and pouches are free of fluff, coins, wallets and passports before putting the items into the machine – this also prevents you from losing valuable items such as passports, wallets and coins.