No Smell on Clothes after Washing Machine

girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 21:32
Last edited 10/08/2022 - 22:52

I am having an issue with my front loading washing machine.
When I wash my clothes, bedding or towels we use liquid detergent cold wash only and hang dry (inside and out depending on weather). The machine is 5 years old, second hand.
In the past 3 months my machine went from; laundry smelling fresh to having no smell after washing (almost smells worst than before)
I have tried all of the below with no change.

  1. Cleaning the inside drum, cleaning the door seel, doing a drum clean with cleaning powder, cleaning detergent, vinegar and baking soda and regular drum clean with just water.

  2. I have read the user manual for cleaning instructions

  3. I have leveled out the machine

  4. Moved drain house to be more straight from the machine to sink and cleaned filter

  5. My last resort was to change out the drain house to a new one, but it was very tricky to release the house and decided against it…

So is it worth trying anything else or sell it and buy a new one?

All advice is appreciated!

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • kyle on 10/08/2022 - 21:39
    +3

    You're using the same liquid detergent? Have you run an empty 60C cycle? It should be run every so often. Also use 60C for towels. Did you put too many clothes in there?

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 23:43

      I tried different detergent and tried powder, I have tried empty 60c and 90c cycle, also tried empty drum clean. Not putting more clothes than we usually do, and have tried different cycle than usual as a test…

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 10/08/2022 - 21:42
    +12

    Have you recently had Covid?

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 22:14

      Yes, but this was happening before…. Also can't tell if this is sarcasm lol

      • YTW on 10/08/2022 - 22:19
        +5

        If you're saying your clothes have 'no smell' then can you smell other things? Such as your shampoo, perfume etc? A lot of people are reporting loss of taste/smell after having Covid. I presume that's what DashCam is getting at.

        • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 22:46

          Yes I can smell other things, shampoo, foods, soap, detergent same as before covid

  • jjjaar on 10/08/2022 - 22:04
    +1

    Not real king solving your problem but you should use white vinegar for towels and sheets too.

    • dust on 11/08/2022 - 10:45

      White vinegar is great for getting smells out but that might include the good smells that OP wants on their clean laundry.

      • jjjaar on 11/08/2022 - 15:43
        +1

        The vinegar makes them much more soft (and towels fluffier) and last longer. Agree, OP needs to sort out the bad smells problem first, but sheets and towels feeling nicer and lasting longer is better than smelling like detergent.

  • Hybroid on 10/08/2022 - 22:20
    +1

    Need some Magic Washing Machine Cleaner Sachets or Pine O Cleen alternative maybe.

    Also Downy Unstopables for a scent booster.

  • thatonethere on 10/08/2022 - 22:24
    +1

    Try cleaning the washing machine filter.

    Use an enzyme based washing machine liquid like Tude for a while with hot washes.

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 22:47

      I will look into this, thank you!
      Edit: I did check the filter as well, forgot to post, and there was no gunk or lint in there.

  • YTW on 10/08/2022 - 22:27
    +1

    If I had trouble with my front loader I'd run a long hot wash with the strongest Napisan I could get my hands on.

    I presume you're keeping the door cracked open between washes, closing it fully will give you mould issues.

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 22:47
      +1

      Also doing this yes! As well as leave the tray open a crack

  • morse on 10/08/2022 - 22:32
    +1

    If it smells damp or ‘off’ then you can use laundry sanitiser - just get the Aldi or Woolies generic one eg https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/productdetails/879665 . If it smells like ‘nothing’ I’d say it’s more your sense of smell or they’re changed the formula of the liquid you’re using. tbh I prefer fragrance free. If you do like fragrance use a tiny bit of fabric softener of the fragrance of your choosing.

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 22:50

      Hmm, yea I have changed liquids three times in 3 months, also tried powder.. My partner also cannot smell

      • morse on 11/08/2022 - 03:29

        This is a strange problem… are you putting the detergent in the right section? Some have a pre wash section that depending on settings might rinse away the pre wash before the laundry detergent is used. One way around this could be to use laundry pods that go straight in the drum. These coles ones scored well on the choice test https://shop.coles.com.au/a/the-pines/product/coles-ultra-co… https://www.choice.com.au/about-us/media-releases/2021/augus… (haven’t tried them but have been meaning to) This could still be an issue though if whatever cycle you’re using rinses detergent away shortly after a pre wash.

        If anything I find the smell of most laundry detergents to be too strong, so if yours is fragranced it might be getting washed away too early in the cycle somehow or like others have said your sense of smell has changed in some way. With COVID apparently it’s not just smell and taste disappearing but also changing. Apparently it goes back to normal for most people.

        • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 08:05
          +2

          So this was one of my many theorys, as I noticed I put the detergent in the tray it goes right into the machine, before the water starts, then I tried powder but had the same results. Pods will Def be worth a try as I think you're right, the detergent is being washed to early. May also try softener as that is later in the cycle

  • AustriaBargain on 10/08/2022 - 23:20

    Does it smell when it's still wet straight after a load, or only after it dries?

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 23:40

      It does not smell after a wash, it smelled after I put two cups in tray and two cups in washer, and that's a lot of detergent! And it just smelled slightly. With bed sheets we hang out side but they do not have any smell, where as they used to smell good, then great after hanging outside😭

      • ESEMCE on 11/08/2022 - 07:44

        Why do much detergent?
        Read the instructions for your detergent.
        Probably need less than 1 lid full.
        More is not better.

        • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 08:03
          +1

          I only did more because I tried less and it wasn't working. I tried small amount medium amount and large amounts all with same result

  • Schumi5 on 10/08/2022 - 23:28

    What model washing machine? Only asking as we have an Bosch idos and auto detects how much detergent to use and there is settings to adjust that as well.
    The other week we noticed them all flashing and I thought awesome it's using the detergent and fabric softener all good. Then I triple checked as like you we noticed clothes didnt smell anymore for the last few loads.
    Turns out the flashing lights meats both the washing detergent and fabric softner trays were empty 🤦‍♂️.
    Filled them up again and all good .

    • girafficlight on 10/08/2022 - 23:38

      It's a fisher and paykel, but we add our detergent in each time unfortunately

  • chrisn26 on 10/08/2022 - 23:55

    A few things to try
    * Clean out washing machine filters
    * Run a hot cycle with borax + washing detergent
    * Clean out the gaps between rubber gasket
    * Check if the drain pipes are clogged
    * Due to colder weather a cold cycle might need more time to properly clean

  • Richardc on 11/08/2022 - 02:02

    try wash in 40c next time.

  • ESEMCE on 11/08/2022 - 07:43
    +2

    A drum clean with Vinegar and Bicarb is doing nothing at all.
    You're essentially cleaning with just water.
    It's on the internet everywhere, but just pointless.
    A Drum clean with Vinegar makes some sense to me.

    Check the inner ribs of the door seal.
    Most likely mouldy especially if you're closing the machine door after use.

  • skid on 11/08/2022 - 08:05
    +3

    As you can smell the detergent when using twice as much, the washing detergent formula has been changed probably to cut costs. I know that the cheap Coles washing detergent has no smell so I switched to more expensive detergents. Smell does not equate to clean but I like the fragrance.

    • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 08:13

      Yea good point, I did buy ultra concentrate as a test. But wasn't omo or anything known

  • John Kimble on 11/08/2022 - 09:40

    So you are satisfied the clothes are being cleaned somewhat at least? Ie dirt/stains are removed? It's just smell?

    So if you put two clean white towels/items in there, they come out smelling like nothing? Or dirty? Do they look clean, or do they come out with scum or dirt on them?

    • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 09:56
      +1

      yea somewhat i guess… the lack of smell kinda has me relate to dirty clothes. if I put two towels in (I did this last night) they came out smelling like nothing, I did try putting them into the dryer this time, with a dryer sheet and that helped, but unfortunately i cannot dry everything in there.

      • John Kimble on 11/08/2022 - 10:07
        +2

        Its true, most of us associate the artificial fragrance added to laundry detergent with being "clean", but it has no impact to that, it's just added fragrance.

        I remember a few years ago we used to use the Earth brand toilet cleaner. One day I bought one of their dishwashing concentrates and it smelled almost the same! It was so off-putting that it smelled like "toilet" when washing dishes, I didn't buy the dishwashing concentrate again, even though I'm sure it was safe and made no difference to how well a job it did.

        The only suggestion I can think of that you may not not tried is to see if you can use your detergent in another washing machine (a family member or close friend perhaps?) and see if the result is the same.

        Or perhaps email the manufacturer and ask if they've changed their recipe/formula?

  • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2022 - 10:13

    I found that using fabric softener was the culprit when laundry no longer had the fabric softener scent after washing although the washing was clean. A bit of research revealed the bad effects of most fabric softeners - just 'coats' laundry items and clogs the machine due to the ingredients.

    Tried everything from cleaning the drum to multiple hot water cycles with vinegar/bicarb to clear the residue to no avail until I used a dishwashing tablet which did the trick.

    • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 10:18

      ahhh interesting! so your saying don't use fabric softener, or do? I haven't tried it, but will as I think it will give that scent boost near the end of the cycle…. dishwashing tablet sounds smart; I will definitely try this! thanks

      • John Kimble on 11/08/2022 - 10:21

        Yes, don't use fabric softener at all.

        Probably not a good idea to use dishwasher tablets in your washer regularly either.

        DYOR

        • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 10:24
          +1

          fair enough, I think I will try it once but will do some research first! thanks

        • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2022 - 10:34
          +2

          It was a one-off to clear the fabric softener residue

          • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 10:37
            +2

            @[Deactivated]: yea i think a one off would be good, although the internet is kind of divided on this, as it could create too much soap…but as this stage heck it all

            • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2022 - 10:56
              +1

              @girafficlight: I use ecostore dishwasher tablets, if that makes a difference & it didn't lather up any different to using laundry liquid.

            • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 19:09
              +2

              @girafficlight: Just an update I used one tablet and there was quit a lot of gunk that clearly came from the pipes, had the ring shape. Water was yellow and stunk, rinse wash after and water was white and no smell! Fingers crossed this is the end!

      • [Deactivated] on 11/08/2022 - 10:32
        +2

        We stopped using retail fabric softeners after it clogged the machine - many of them contain silicone which causes the build-up and that's why that cycle was just water which just further diluted the laundry detergent scent.

        The dishwashing tablet worked to clear it on a hot cycle because it was able to cut through the residue.

        I prepare a white vinegar + essential oils mix instead with no issue since.

        I hope it works for you!

        • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 10:36
          +1

          very good to know, i will try this mix, thanks!

  • cupcake on 11/08/2022 - 10:50

    A front loader. There's your problem right there.
    I have a top loader and it's 24 years old and still works great. I've never cleaned it either, as I don't use fabric softener. You can get cleaning tablet things in the laundry isle at the supermarket for your washing machine.

    • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 10:57
      +1

      yea, i was brought up with a top loader and don't ever remember issues, if this all shits the bed, top loader it is!

      • cupcake on 11/08/2022 - 11:32

        You can leave the lid open when you are not using it with a top loader. No smelly mould issues.
        I also boost my wash with Lectric. It's a fab laundry booster which gets rid of the grey water so my whites are always white. My sister got me onto it and I love using it now. Best of all, it's only $3.85 at the supermarket. Give it a go!

        • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 11:40

          seems like letric has no smells though, do you only use this or use as a booster near the end?

          • cupcake on 11/08/2022 - 13:06

            @girafficlight: My laundry powder has the fragrance. Lectric does not.
            I don't mind if my washing has no smell/fragrance.

  • jv on 11/08/2022 - 13:06
    +2

    (almost smells worst than before)

    worst ?

    • girafficlight on 11/08/2022 - 16:10

      Ahhhh ahahah i mean i donno if it smells like wurst lol

      • jv on 11/08/2022 - 16:20
        -2

        I like wurst… Especially with a cold German beer on a Friday night…

        Wurst is the best.

  • lainey13 on 11/08/2022 - 21:03

    Your machine is too efficient - its cleaning the fragrence off :)

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