Cursed Washing Machine

bsjezz

Alright so this isn't the first time I've posted to H&A about this goddamned whitegood from hell but I sure hope it's the last. Unrelated to the previous problem, my top-loading Hoover washing machine, which is reasonably new and, you know, works quite well otherwise, has developed a problem.

It fucking stinks.

We've tried everything - done empty loads with vinegar, bleach, bi-carb and CLR - still stinks. We've pulled up the lint trap and emptied it. Nothing seems to be awry. It just smells like something died in there and it's lasted for weeks.

My mum came around and said she knew the smell, it was like 'stale water'. On further inspection is does seem to be pretty sloshy in there if we tip the machine. But how do you get it out? What's to prevent it from filling up and turning sour again? Is this normal?

If anyone has had a similar problem your help would be appreciated! I think we may have to call a repairman to see if they can do anything about it, but I figured you guys are worth a final desperate plea. What can I do?

Sonos

i had a similar problem with my dishwater. foul smelling stuff. sadly, mine was broken and since it isnt a huge investment i opted to not fix it. and since you can handwash dishes without too much trouble it wasnt a hard decision.

not the case with a clothes washer of course. my story really had no point i just felt like typing something

Newton

I just did a quick google search on smelly washing machines, and it looks like this is a pretty common problem that can have several causes. If you have one of those machines with a built in fabric softener on the top of the agitator, stuff can build up in and around it that will start to smell. You should also try and make sure that it has a properly installed drain pipe. This may be in the wall, so it could be difficult to do, but there should be a u-bend in the pipe that prevents sewer gas from backing up the drain pipe. If you don't have one, that could be your smell. Although that would make the whole area around the washer stink, not just the washer itself. Or, if your washer is in a kitchen and it drains into the sink drain, you could be getting dirty water backing up into the washer. You may have a fungus or something growing in there. I saw a couple of reccomendations for a product called Pure Washer available at www.smellywasher.com. You could give that a shot. A lot cheaper than calling a repairman out to your house.

bsjezz

Thanks for the tips, Newton - I hadn't even thought of Google for some reason. It's true though, the whole area does stink, it's pretty much overtaken the bathroom in the next room now too. It certainly seems to be coming from the washer though. I don't think the fabric softener chute is the problem because we've cleaned that thing out and it all looks clear physically. I'm going to pull it out and check out the drainage, see if that's a problem. Very weird, but good to know it happens.