Sour Smelling (Clean) Laundry - Help Please

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To avoid OP’s issues,…

Even months, I run a “very hot” cycle on our front loader after filling the bleach compartment with unscented bleach. After, I run an empty Quick Wash just to make sure the bleach was all flushed out. The bleach kills just about anything.

Odd months, I run a “cleaning cycle” using Glisten CLOTHES Washer solution per their instructions. After, I run an empty Quick Wash just to flush any residue out. This helps remove any gunk buildup.

(I think other brands of clothes washer cleaning solution also would work; Glisten is cheap at Walmart. Be careful about label reading. Glisten also makes a Dishwasher Cleaning solution, which is different.)

OP here - Thanks for this. I'll add this to my calendar as well. I've never heard of Glisten but when I researched it, it indicated it was especially good for those with hard water (which apparently is one of the culprits of odor due to it clogging the machine), we have extremely hard water where we live (SoCal) so am going to try this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t done it, but here is the laundry stripping method.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a33588329/laundry-stripping/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_pmx_us_urlx_17703649415&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI49fJmZiq_wIVCcvICh2EDAFMEAAYASAAEgKpQ_D_BwE

That article says it’s not worth doing.

Good luck then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I haven’t done it, but here is the laundry stripping method.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a33588329/laundry-stripping/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_pmx_us_urlx_17703649415&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI49fJmZiq_wIVCcvICh2EDAFMEAAYASAAEgKpQ_D_BwE

That article says it’s not worth doing.

Good luck then.

This is OP - I didn't make the comment about it being "not worth doing". This was a different PP.

[Anonymous]

I always use vinegar and an extra rinse, which seems to help with odor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Actually we haven't cleaned in a while! I totally forgot about that until you mentioned it. Okay going to do that right away, thanks again for the reminder.

What ?? I have never done this….

You need to do this. I am sure you are not alone. My DH who is not handy at all and completely oblivious to household maintenance did not know that this needed to be done and was shocked when I told him that this was something that I do every few weeks, and had done every few weeks since we bought the washing machine 5 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Actually we haven't cleaned in a while! I totally forgot about that until you mentioned it. Okay going to do that right away, thanks again for the reminder.

What ?? I have never done this….

You need to do this. I am sure you are not alone. My DH who is not handy at all and completely oblivious to household maintenance did not know that this needed to be done and was shocked when I told him that this was something that I do every few weeks, and had done every few weeks since we bought the washing machine 5 years ago.

I never did this but tried it upon reading this and I was SHOCKED by the filth that was in there!

[Anonymous]

I have a similar problem when laundry isn’t completely dry when put away. Maybe check to be sure things are fully dry

[Anonymous]

NP I've noticed a sour smell in my dryer, which seems really odd. What could be causing that and how to fix it?

[Anonymous]

Put about a quarter cup of baking soda in each load. Simple, cheap and effective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Oh no, this is the most horrifying/helpful thing I have ever learned on DCUM. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you drained the front loader? There’s a little tube connected to the tub located at the front bottom that’s needs to be drained every few months. If not, your clothes are being washed with nasty gross water, which could be causing the smell.

Oh no, this is the most horrifying/helpful thing I have ever learned on DCUM. Thank you!

This is OP. I drained ours and the water was clear, not gross at all. I also had nothing in my drain trap, it looked brand new actually - and our machine is 2 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP I've noticed a sour smell in my dryer, which seems really odd. What could be causing that and how to fix it?

Maybe there's a clog in the vent pipe or something stuck in there. once we had a bird nesting in venting . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP I've noticed a sour smell in my dryer, which seems really odd. What could be causing that and how to fix it?

Does your dryer have a steam setting? Could be related to this.

[Anonymous]

The best detergent for hard water is Tide powder. Not sure why but it cleans way better in hard water than anything else I’ve ever tried. We did cloth diapers and had stink and everyone kept telling me to strip them and do all these crazy things which never worked. I switched to Tide Original Powder and never had another issue. Also, you can add Calgon water softener to help. That makes a big difference too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best detergent for hard water is Tide powder. Not sure why but it cleans way better in hard water than anything else I’ve ever tried. We did cloth diapers and had stink and everyone kept telling me to strip them and do all these crazy things which never worked. I switched to Tide Original Powder and never had another issue. Also, you can add Calgon water softener to help. That makes a big difference too.

Interesting! For years I only used powder then switched to liquid (don't remember why?) and have been using that for years while complaining that new washers don't work as well as old ones. Maybe I need to switch back to powder.