Why does the washing machine smell funny?
IT MIGHT not feel right if you’re trying to conserve energy, but it’s actually a good idea to run your washing machine at a high temperature at least once a month, to kill off microorganisms.
Otherwise, you may wind up with an unpleasant smell as the organisms from dirty laundry multiply in the damp interior of the machine.
All that bacteria and fungi is normal and comes from food, people’s skin, soil, plants and animal hair – all of which winds up in the machine along with your dirty clothes.
That can lead to a layer of slime made up of bacteria and fungi – known as biofilm – that sometimes smells bad and, unfortunately, can also ruin the sweet smell of your freshly washed clothes.
The good news is that no dangerous germs are brewing in there, according to a German laundry association.
But run a wash that is 60°C or higher once a month at least, they say. Add in a heavy-duty or multi-purpose detergent that contains bleach. Otherwise, if you are using a stain remover that contains bleach in a particular load of laundry, then that should be sufficient, when combined with liquid detergent or gel capsules.
Another way to stop microorganisms from multiplying is to open up the door of the washing machine, or the lid to the drum and the rinse chamber, after each wash to let the interior dry out.
Meanwhile, wiping the rubber seal and the inside of the door not only absorbs moisture but also removes any bits of lint or hair left in there from your last wash. It’s best to regularly clean out the rinse chamber to get rid of any detergent residues too.
If there is still a lingering funny smell, then it could be because the lint filter is full.
You might also want to ensure that the water inflow and outflow are free to make sure there is always enough water in the machine, as that is the only way the detergent can be dissolved properly, and that suds and rinse water can drain off properly.
In general, high temperature aren’t needed for most wash cycles, say the experts. It’s sustainable and saves energy if you wash your clothes at low temperatures of 30°C or 40°C, which is usually plenty to get rid of the dirt. But a hot wash now and again is still a good idea to stop any unfortunate smells from developing.