AEG - Damp smell after 3 month

[Roscoe]

Hi Folks. Our x3 month old AEG washing machine has an unfortunate damp smell coming from inside the drum.  I think it might be my fault, having found Whitegoodshelp(Andy)'s link https://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/smells-caused-plumbing-faults/ in another thread regarding a U-bend in the drain pipe. 

Thought I'd check first before deciding what to do next.   Picture below is the current set up, (self-install) includes dishwasher drain pipe marked 'DW' and Washing machine marked 'WM'.  No U-Bend.  Is this causing the bad smell and if so how do I go about fixing it based on my current under sink drain/pipe set up.

Also, am I too late and potentially damaged my machine with this set up as the smelly waste water poured down the sink can run down the drain hose into the washing machine. ??

Any advice or assistance would be appreciated.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi Roscoe. Yes the drain hoses are badly installed. It's possible that dirty water from the sink could run down the drain hoses into the machines.

I would loosen both the washing machine and dishwasher's drain hose connections on the U-bend and turn the spout that the hoses push onto around, so that the spout points upwards instead of down. You will need to pull more of the drain hoses through.

The drain hoses need to go up 3 or 4 inches before going down and will most likely need to be tied using string or cable-ties. Ideally the end of a drain hose should be like a shepherd crook that goes up, around and then down. That makes it impossible for any water going down the sink to get up, over and down the drain hoses.

 

 

[andyr12345]

hi there - when you have sorted out the pipes in the right direction find the hottest and longest wash you can find on your washing machine (or select 'drum clean' or maintenance clean so machines have built in) and run that without any washing in the drum and no detergent or fabric conditioner - the 90'c long wash should hopefully kill all the smelly bacteria and get rid of the damp smell. After the wash leave the porthole door open so the machine can dry out (if fact always leave the door ajar after every wash in the future if you dont already) and wipe the rubber door gasket dry . 

For the future dont leave damp washing in the drum, as soon as its done its wash take the washing out of the drum immediately for the drier / clothes horse / outdoor line. 

and do the maintenance (or long hot wash or drum clean programme) at least once a month without any washing in drum and no detergent and fabric softener - eventually the musty damp smell should dis-appear .

good luck.

 

[Roscoe]

Many thanks for the responses, guys.

Both dishwasher and washing machine hoses are at their absolute max stretch.  I'm therefore thinking of picking up one of these to give me that extra length, at least for the washing machine, (the dishwasher doesn't appear to haver a problem), and the ability to create a U-Bend -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/sourcing-map-Washing-Machine-Extension/dp/B0B7F33RH5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3O7UTOXJ4NRKN&keywords=SHORT+DRAIN+PIPE+HOSE&qid=1700412110&sprefix=short+drain+pipe+hose%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1

Edit: or perhaps I could get two of these and do both.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/292900884280?chn=ps&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A18f6H32DGQ0OGyuu_Z6YAkg21&_ul=GB&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=710-134428-41853-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=292900884280&targetid=1816459697165&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=1007325&poi=&campaignid=19097601017&mkgroupid=152525099668&rlsatarget=aud-1657461043188:pla-1816459697165&abcId=9303862&merchantid=101483731

If this is a bad idea, please let me know.

Edited November 19 by Roscoe

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Yes that’s the answer. 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

The second one looks potentially too thin? If the first one is the right size diameter as shown in the photos I’d get 2 of them.

[MelS]

19 hours ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

 

The drain hoses need to go up 3 or 4 inches before going down and will most likely need to be tied using string or cable-ties. Ideally the end of a drain hose should be like a shepherd crook that goes up, around and then down. That makes it impossible for any water going down the sink to get up, over and down the drain hoses.

 

 

Definitely tie it up, if you get a partially blocked sink trap, the weight of water backing up the drain hose is likely to make it droop if it is not secured. Had that happen with my dishwasher years ago after we installed a new kitchen. I now have the drain hose secured by a cable tie over a cupboard hook just below the worktop. 

If the smell doesn't completely go after doing the maintenance clean, you could either use an oxygen bleach (eg Vanish), or a laundry sanitiser product with your regular detergent, or else use a powder detergent that has oxygen bleach in it (most powder detergents do as standard), either of which will kill bacteria in your wash and help clean the machine and rid it of smells.

Edited November 20 by MelS
typos

[Roscoe]

6 hours ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

The second one looks potentially too thin? If the first one is the right size diameter as shown in the photos I’d get 2 of them.

Yeah the first one came from Amazon about 30 minutes ago.  The second one was from China and long delivery.  Agreed on the thickness.

 Installed.  Excuse the poor cable management.  😆

I've popped some Dettol Machine wash in and running a 60 degree wash as instructed.  Fingers cross this starts to solve the problem and the smell disappears over time.

Yeah I think I'll get a second one for the dishwasher drain pipe.

[Roscoe]

On 19/11/2023 at 16:28, andyr12345 said:

hi there - when you have sorted out the pipes in the right direction find the hottest and longest wash you can find on your washing machine (or select 'drum clean' or maintenance clean so machines have built in) and run that without any washing in the drum and no detergent or fabric conditioner - the 90'c long wash should hopefully kill all the smelly bacteria and get rid of the damp smell. After the wash leave the porthole door open so the machine can dry out (if fact always leave the door ajar after every wash in the future if you dont already) and wipe the rubber door gasket dry . 

For the future dont leave damp washing in the drum, as soon as its done its wash take the washing out of the drum immediately for the drier / clothes horse / outdoor line. 

and do the maintenance (or long hot wash or drum clean programme) at least once a month without any washing in drum and no detergent and fabric softener - eventually the musty damp smell should dis-appear .

good luck.

 

Just realised you suggested the longest and hottest wash.  I opted for the 60'c wash as instructed on the Dettol machine wash instruction but I'll run another wash at 95'c tomorrow if the smell is still an issue.

[andyr12345]

On 20/11/2023 at 18:31, Roscoe said:

Just realised you suggested the longest and hottest wash.  I opted for the 60'c wash as instructed on the Dettol machine wash instruction but I'll run another wash at 95'c tomorrow if the smell is still an issue.

yes, i would go for 95 long wash - i dont know what detergent you have been using but if liquid detergent over time that will more than likely leave residue where the wash is not getting hot enough to dissolve it, so yeah it will do no harm i reckon . 

also good idea to remove the soap dispenser drawer totally (most come out fully  by pushing a blue 'button' down whilst pulling the drawer out) then give the whole soap drawer a nice soak in the sink, and have a look in the soap drawer housing on the machine  and see if thats clean (it will be likely you will see black mould spots on and in the soap drawer and housing , that could give  the machine a musty smell also - so try give them as good a clean as you can (an old toothbrush works well) look at the top of the soap drawer housing as well where the jets of water shower out , thats where mould can lurk as well. - make sure everything is dried out nice and fully before you put the soap drawer back into the machine. 

for a few consecutive washes you could substitute your normal fabric softener  for Dettol's Laundry sanitizer cleanser which will help I am sure - just pour it in the fabric softener compartment. 
All this should get your machine back to smelling like new again hopefully. 
Good Luck ....

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CD5SPPMF/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0