Smelly johnson after washing - Page 2

iCraig · 10-09-2009, 11:18

Do the clothes drip when you remove them, or are they just damp?

petemc · 10-09-2009, 11:23

Thats something that puzzled me. They don't drip. Just damp. My hats are even dry.

Fayshun · 10-09-2009, 11:42

Swill a bit of white vinegar around inside the drawer and the drum and run a rinse cycle.

Belmit · 10-09-2009, 11:51

And mustard. Lots of mustard.

Fayshun · 10-09-2009, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmit

And mustard. Lots of mustard.

From orbit?

Roberta · 10-09-2009, 11:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belmit

And mustard. Lots of mustard.

Don't be silly. His clothes will be hairy.

petemc · 10-09-2009, 12:03

O_o

Jingo · 10-09-2009, 12:04

Hi pete, I used to work in white goods engineering and my thoughts on your situation are essayed (

) below:

When a washing machine is causing smell it can be due to a number of easily resolvable issues and undertaking the following steps could hopefully resolve this issue for you:

1- Build up of bacteria: the majority of detergents will cause a build up of bacteria within the machine's detergent drawer, door seal and tub (the container which the drum sits in

). This is not due to being unclean etc, but you might also find that the door seal and it's creases sometimes accumulate a black un-removable staining/build up.

Resolution : Fully remove your detergent drawer (sometimes a clip underneath or if not requires a strong sharp tug to full pull out). Clean the drawer fully with a toothbrush, clean the roof of the machine where the drawer has been removed from (you will see little holes for water jets) and then also clear out any build up towards the back of this space. Do not poke anything down the hole where the detergent goes.

Clean the door seal as best as you can, getting into the folds of the rubber, notably at the 6 o'clock section where water is often left behind. NB- if you find a small hole at this place, do not be concerned, they are manufactured in order to drain water but often become clogged with build-up.

Now undertake a maintenance wash on the machine, selecting the hottest wash your machine allows - usually a 90 degree cottons programme with No items of clothing within the machine at all. Ideally accompany this wash with a handful of soda crystals (cheap from any supermarket) placed in your detergent drawer. This will not remove any staining of the machine caused by such build up, but it will kill of this form of bacteria which cleaning by hand will not.

2 - Incorrect placing of drain hose.

If your drain hose (the ribbed one that either connects under your sink or goes into a stand pipe on the wall) is not correctly positioned then the foul air from the drain will back up through into your machine, or at worst, will back fill the machine with foul water during the pump-out cycles, although the latter is more unlikely.

Resolution: Ensure that there is a 'U-shape' bend in your drain hose when it comes out of the machine- this creates an air-break to prevent the bad smell returning into your machine. You might find that you have a clip your pipes fits into forcing this shape.

3 - Blockage within machine

A blockage in your filter, pump housing or drain hose could cause a very foul smell to remain on your clothes and/or machine.

Resolution: Firstly check your drain hose. Disconnect the machine from the mains and have a washing up bowl/old towell handy. Disconnect the drain hose at the sink end/pull out the drain hose from the stand pipe on the wall, whichever your setup, and ensure the end is clear of partial blockage/build up.

If there is any water in the base of the machine, placing this drain hose in a downwards direction from the machine will allow the water to drain via gravity. You should undertake the above actions prior to undertaking the following steps:

Now we should look to check the filter/pumphousing on the appliance- I know you said that the machine is in a difficult position, but as this should ideally be checked every 4-6 weeks and is vital for any problems it's best you find a way of pulling the machine out anyway.

At the bottom on the front of the machine you will find an access panel or kickplate, this will pull off to reveal a filter cover (looks like a mini-petrol cap), unscrew this anti-clockwise slowly, bearing in mind there will be a notable amount of water coming out at this point. (use a shallow oven tray or old towel to catch this water- you can unscrew slowly to catch into a tray, tighten up, empty tray & repeat etc if you find it's too much water).

Once you've finished with the water, fully unscrew the filter cover and pull it out. What you have in your hand is the filter, ensure this is free from blockages/build up and give it a quick clean.

Now look in the apeture from where you removed the filter, this is the pump housing and the pump will be visable (looks like a small propellor blade). ensure this little bay is completely clear of build up, blockages, foreign objects etc before replacing the filter firm and tightly and then placing the kickplate back on and reconnecting the drain hose, and finally, power supply.

Now at this point, it would be a good idea to undertake the maintance wash detailed above- ensuring that the machine fully completes before you interupt it.

Give the above a go and see how you get on, it may seem like a lot to digest but it really is all quite simple

Mark · 10-09-2009, 12:11

Removing the drain hose would scare me - I'd be worried about not putting it back properly and flooding the kitchen.

petemc · 10-09-2009, 12:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

Removing the drain hose would scare me - I'd be worried about not putting it back properly and flooding the kitchen.

Not something you wanna do on the 4th floor. No way I'm ripping the machine out the kitchen either. Done a rewash. I left the door open all night to air it out. Clothes smell better and I've put them on the balcony to air dry. *fingers crossed*

10-09-2009, 11:18	#11
iCraig iCustom User Title Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,250	Do the clothes drip when you remove them, or are they just damp? __________________

10-09-2009, 11:23	#12
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	Thats something that puzzled me. They don't drip. Just damp. My hats are even dry. __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

10-09-2009, 11:42	#13
Fayshun Rocket Fuel Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Adrift in the Orca Posts: 6,845	Swill a bit of white vinegar around inside the drawer and the drum and run a rinse cycle. __________________ We must move forward not backward, upwards not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling...

10-09-2009, 11:51	#14
Belmit The Mouse King of Denmark Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The Winchester Posts: 6,476	And mustard. Lots of mustard. __________________

10-09-2009, 12:03	#17
petemc Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nr Liverpewl Posts: 4,371	O_o __________________ Thats no hamster, its a space station!

10-09-2009, 12:04	#18
Jingo Smother me in chocolate and eat flapjacks with it! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Somerset Posts: 1,854	Hi pete, I used to work in white goods engineering and my thoughts on your situation are essayed () below: When a washing machine is causing smell it can be due to a number of easily resolvable issues and undertaking the following steps could hopefully resolve this issue for you: 1- Build up of bacteria: the majority of detergents will cause a build up of bacteria within the machine's detergent drawer, door seal and tub (the container which the drum sits in ). This is not due to being unclean etc, but you might also find that the door seal and it's creases sometimes accumulate a black un-removable staining/build up. Resolution : Fully remove your detergent drawer (sometimes a clip underneath or if not requires a strong sharp tug to full pull out). Clean the drawer fully with a toothbrush, clean the roof of the machine where the drawer has been removed from (you will see little holes for water jets) and then also clear out any build up towards the back of this space. Do not poke anything down the hole where the detergent goes. Clean the door seal as best as you can, getting into the folds of the rubber, notably at the 6 o'clock section where water is often left behind. NB- if you find a small hole at this place, do not be concerned, they are manufactured in order to drain water but often become clogged with build-up. Now undertake a maintenance wash on the machine, selecting the hottest wash your machine allows - usually a 90 degree cottons programme with No items of clothing within the machine at all. Ideally accompany this wash with a handful of soda crystals (cheap from any supermarket) placed in your detergent drawer. This will not remove any staining of the machine caused by such build up, but it will kill of this form of bacteria which cleaning by hand will not. 2 - Incorrect placing of drain hose. If your drain hose (the ribbed one that either connects under your sink or goes into a stand pipe on the wall) is not correctly positioned then the foul air from the drain will back up through into your machine, or at worst, will back fill the machine with foul water during the pump-out cycles, although the latter is more unlikely. Resolution: Ensure that there is a 'U-shape' bend in your drain hose when it comes out of the machine- this creates an air-break to prevent the bad smell returning into your machine. You might find that you have a clip your pipes fits into forcing this shape. 3 - Blockage within machine A blockage in your filter, pump housing or drain hose could cause a very foul smell to remain on your clothes and/or machine. Resolution: Firstly check your drain hose. Disconnect the machine from the mains and have a washing up bowl/old towell handy. Disconnect the drain hose at the sink end/pull out the drain hose from the stand pipe on the wall, whichever your setup, and ensure the end is clear of partial blockage/build up. If there is any water in the base of the machine, placing this drain hose in a downwards direction from the machine will allow the water to drain via gravity. You should undertake the above actions prior to undertaking the following steps: Now we should look to check the filter/pumphousing on the appliance- I know you said that the machine is in a difficult position, but as this should ideally be checked every 4-6 weeks and is vital for any problems it's best you find a way of pulling the machine out anyway. At the bottom on the front of the machine you will find an access panel or kickplate, this will pull off to reveal a filter cover (looks like a mini-petrol cap), unscrew this anti-clockwise slowly, bearing in mind there will be a notable amount of water coming out at this point. (use a shallow oven tray or old towel to catch this water- you can unscrew slowly to catch into a tray, tighten up, empty tray & repeat etc if you find it's too much water). Once you've finished with the water, fully unscrew the filter cover and pull it out. What you have in your hand is the filter, ensure this is free from blockages/build up and give it a quick clean. Now look in the apeture from where you removed the filter, this is the pump housing and the pump will be visable (looks like a small propellor blade). ensure this little bay is completely clear of build up, blockages, foreign objects etc before replacing the filter firm and tightly and then placing the kickplate back on and reconnecting the drain hose, and finally, power supply. Now at this point, it would be a good idea to undertake the maintance wash detailed above- ensuring that the machine fully completes before you interupt it. Give the above a go and see how you get on, it may seem like a lot to digest but it really is all quite simple __________________

10-09-2009, 12:11	#19
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Removing the drain hose would scare me - I'd be worried about not putting it back properly and flooding the kitchen.