Laundry-room smell won’t go away

Dear Reena: I am troubled with a laundry-room odour that I can’t eliminate.

It emanates from my washer. I tried running vinegar through the machine as well as filling the drum and surrounding tub with a bleach/water solution and letting it sit for several days. No luck.

My research promotes the idea that the outside of the drum is the problem or fetid water that doesn’t drain.

I’m wondering if the hoses could be the culprit. I hesitate to replace the hoses if they aren’t the problem. The machine is an older model top loader that has given me excellent service for many years.

There are just two of us in the household so we only use the washer for one load per week. When the machine is idle, the lid always remains open. Even with the smell, the clothes come out clean.

No other water source in the house has this difficulty. Could the drain pipe on the wall be guilty? The laundry room is on the main floor and getting harder to ignore. Sharon

This is a common challenge with washing machines. Often, the doors to the machines are tightly sealed and moisture has no chance of escaping between uses. Thus, mould forms under the seal and within the mechanics of the machine.

You should keep the door open when the machine is not in use so that moisture can escape. You can continue to run one cup of vinegar and 1⁄2 cup baking soda through the machine once a week to kill odours. Also, stop (if you are) using liquid fabric softeners — these tend to buildup in the machine and produce mould. As well, lift the seal and clean underneath with a paste of three per cent hydrogen peroxide and borax or toothpaste and an old toothbrush, you’ll be amazed at the build-up.

Another favourite product for getting rid of the smell of musty machines is washing soda. You can find this in the

laundry department of grocery stores. It is called, So Clean by Arm and Hammer. This product is amazing at whitening and brightening fabrics. I like to add 1⁄4 cup to each load of laundry when I wash whites (it contains no bleaches or phosphates).

Both borax and washing soda are great for zapping odours. Also, take out your detergent drawer and clean any mildew with three per cent hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and water.

If the problem remains, then, as you said, there may be a more serious problem, such as a clogged hose or faulty or worn-out machine parts. This requires snaking the machine and using hot water and chemicals to free any clogs.

Dear Reena: We have a deep fryer that works great, but the outside of it is marked up with oil dripping that will not come off. What solution do you recommend?

Larry You can either buy a branded degreaser to clean the exterior of your deep fryer or smother the outside with a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Leave for 15 minutes and scrub with an abrasive, non-scratching pad. Rinse and wipe dry. Some people have great results by cleaning the outside of the fryer with oven cleaner.

Dear Reena: My kitchen has inexpensive white peel-and-stick tiles installed by the previous owner. Some have turned yellow. Do you know of any way to get them white again? The best solution would be a new floor but that doesn't fit into my budget.

Cheryl Many people have found pouring three per cent hydrogen peroxide onto the floor every day for three days is helpful. Other people had great success by combining 1⁄4 cup OxyClean with one gallon boiling water and pouring the solution onto the area. Another solution is Clorox, but some say that this application removes the floors’ finish and shine. Lastly, mineral spirits are a treatment that people have told me worked for them. If the floor remains yellow, replacing the tiles is your best option.

Every user assumes all risks of injury or damage resulting from the implementation of any suggestions in this column. Test all products on an inconspicuous area first.

Reena Nerbas is a motivational presenter for large and small groups. Check out her website, reena.ca, where you can ask a question or share a tip.