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-   -   Musty laundry smell (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-new-members-forum-115/musty-laundry-smell-361065/)

BettyInFL 09-03-2025 06:43 AM

Add vinegar to 1/4 cup vinegar
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.

I add quarter cup of vinegar to hubbies sweaty clothes. Always come out nice.

Check your filters as the tinker mentioned.

jimmy o 09-03-2025 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.

As the Village Tinker noted there is a filter that should be cleaned periodically, but there is also a drain go be emptied when filter is cleaned

dshoberg 09-03-2025 07:29 AM

Try a cup of bleach in the brine tank of softener

Lisanp@aol.com 09-03-2025 07:57 AM

If you have a front load machine, its the washer. The door must be left ajar between cycles, you should wipe the gasket with a towel every time you do a towel load before throwing them into the machine. You should also use a monthly cleaning regimen like Tide Washing machine cleaner and don't forget to check the basket filter thingy that is in the front bottom of the machine somewhere (google your specific model).
If you are wearing more synthetic active wear, it could be the clothes too. Look in the detergent aisle for a laundry boost for "active wear" as those fabrics tend to hold odors and sometimes it just does not come out in the wash.

sowilts 09-03-2025 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.

Do you have front loaders? We have Commercial Speed Queen top loaders and levels of water is adjustable. This helps with all of the cycles to remove all soap. All the advertisements on tv suggest extra scents to compensate for the lack of adequate water level.

MollyJo 09-03-2025 08:01 AM

Lysol Sanitizer is no bleach, goes in the fabric softener tube.

KShowalter 09-03-2025 08:02 AM

I never use pods. I always use liquid laundry detergent and it seems to work better and not clog the washing machine. I also have a top loading machine which I leave the top open to completely dry after use.

sowilts 09-03-2025 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sowilts (Post 2458655)
Do you have front loaders? We have Commercial Speed Queen top loaders and levels of water is adjustable. This helps with all of the cycles to remove all soap. All the advertisements on tv suggest extra scents to compensate for the lack of adequate water level.

And we live south of 44 and do not hame a home water softener. My hair still remains White.

Lancer 09-03-2025 08:26 AM

Washing Machine Door Prop
 
We use this to keep the door on our front loading machine propped open. Keeps the funky smell at bay.
https://a.co/d/dqGxahj

Switter 09-03-2025 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer.

I had this issue with towels and I used a little ammonia in the wash. It worked great but you obviously have to be careful not to mix it with bleach

CarlR33 09-03-2025 09:19 AM

I did not see it mentioned but most washers have a self cleaning function that some machines will let you know when it’s due after so many cycles or you can just start it off without waiting for it to tell you, etc.

Steban 09-03-2025 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.

We had the same problem when we replaced our washing machine years ago. It was a High Efficiency with a locking lid. We did the deepest of cleaning to get our house ready for the market. We had a sink next to the washer, we hooked up a garden house and pumped the washer full of hot water - all the way to the top and started the agitator. The amount of built up detergent and dirty funk from years of the HE not filling properly was the culprit.

When we moved to Florida, we purchased a top load Speed Queen which is not HE and the lid doesn’t lock. Think 1970 Kenmore. It does fill the tank for large loads. It never stinks. It runs like a champ.

jimkerr 09-03-2025 09:51 AM

This used that happened to us when we had a front loader washer. It was really bad with towels. We ended up buying a new washer that you load from the top and all our problems went away.

nhtexasrn 09-03-2025 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kschumacher (Post 2458572)
Has anyone else here struggled with laundry coming out smelling funky?

I mean, it would happen to us in Illinois if I accidentally left the clothes in the washer for a couple of days in the summer. But here in TV, this is starting to hit too often for comfort (and utility bills.) I mean, three pods and deep water wash, and our clothes still come out smelling like swamp water.

Just ordered up Unstoppables until we find the culprit. But the ultimate goal is a solution, not a coverup.

We suspect it might be the water. Or could it be an issue with our washer or dryer. Would love to hear other folks’ experiences, even if to tell us we’re crazy. 🤪

- K & J, newbies here.

About a year ago I decided to start using powder Tide again because my niece had mentioned how much cleaner her laundry has been since she switched back to powder detergent. It has made an amazing difference in our laundry, especially my husband's white sox that he wears to work in the yard and our white towels. I use bleach, and little oxiclean and Tide powder and they come out like new. Everything smells so fresh!

Also, if you have a cleaning cycle on your washer, running that every so often really helps. I also leave my lid up on the washer at all times with the detergent tray open.

Hope you find a solution! But seriously, try powder Tide!

DonnaNi4os 09-03-2025 10:03 AM

Always keep the lid of the washer open when not in use, take clothes out as quickly as possible and never leave them over night. Once a month run the clean cycle and use something like Tide washing machine cleaner. If all else fails keep running cycles without clothes and use the hot water and lots of bleach. Do it several times if possible. Good luck


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