Stinky Towels: What's the Cause???

[stinkynuts]

I just moved into a new apartment and have been using the washing machine in the basement. I noticed that when my clothes are washed, if they are still damp, they smell like sweat. However, the bigger problem is that my towels smell OK when they are clean and dry, but after one use, they begin to smell really bad, I think it's mildew. The basement is not too damp, so I don't think it's that. What can be the cause?? It's driving me insane.

 

[Esco!]

Did you use detergent???

 

[FOOTSNIFFER]

You're rubbing your stinky nuts all over them.

 

[You Bet!]

depending where you live, contact a local mom & pop type janitorial company and ask to purchase a gallon of a detergent-free quat disinfectant. Run about 4 oz / load in with the wash.

Quat disinfectants will have something like this in the ingredient list:
BENZYL ALKYL DIMETHYL AMMONIUM CHLORIDE

 

[Stoo]

Try to change your loads over within an hour of it ending.

It's always good to change your "loads" often... right SD?

 

[skypilot]

Whats the difference between a fat broad and a washing machine?

You can dump a load in the washing machine without it following you around for the next six months.

 

[jwmorrice]

The washing machine is filthy dirty.

Egad, did he move into Esco's????

jwm

 

[Keebler Elf]

As an aside, I was watching a show on TV and when your clothes come out of the washing machine they are filthy with bacteria. I dunno if the heat in the dryer kills it or not but you should definitely wash your hands after handling wet laundry.

 

[Esco!]

Egad, did he move into Esco's????
jwm

At least I have a home, you homeless bum

 

[tboy]

As an aside, I was watching a show on TV and when your clothes come out of the washing machine they are filthy with bacteria. I dunno if the heat in the dryer kills it or not but you should definitely wash your hands after handling wet laundry.

Keeb: did it happen to say where this bacteria came from?

I mean, we drink the water that goes into the washer.
The clothes are off our backs so if bacteria is on them, they are on us,
The soap?
Growing in the machine?

It can't grow on clothes (wet) washed in bleach, bleach kills bacteria on contact....I mean, even after rinsing my whites still smell of bleach. That ought to be enough to kill any bacteria on my boxers (NO comments on THAT lol).....

 

[Esco!]

Keeb: did it happen to say where this bacteria came from?

I mean, we drink the water that goes into the washer.
The clothes are off our backs so if bacteria is on them, they are on us,
The soap?
Growing in the machine?

It can't grow on clothes (wet) washed in bleach, bleach kills bacteria on contact....I mean, even after rinsing my whites still smell of bleach. That ought to be enough to kill any bacteria on my boxers (NO comments on THAT lol).....

I think he means the inside components of the washer are filthy with bacteria.
Although I'm not 100% sure this is true

If you wash with bleach then that should kill all bacteria inside the washer

 

[oldjones]

In normal washing, what kills bacteria and mould is heat. Use hot water wash, check that it is hot and complain to management if it's only lukewarm. Likewise, dry on high, and check that the clothes are steaming hot partway thru the cycle.

If you can't get the machines up to temperature, chemicals are your last resort: Oxygen or Chlorine bleach (used w/ care according to directions).

 

[tboy]

Just a warning about bleach: don't mix it with any other cleaner. There were instances of people mixing it with (ammonia I think) that created toxic gases.

I know for treating surface mold you mix 1/4 cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water so you can use that formula for cleaning your washing machine.

 

[Keebler Elf]

Keeb: did it happen to say where this bacteria came from?

Actually, I think the solution was to use bleach, because most people don't.

I don't remember if the bacteria came from the clothes or from residue in the machine. Probably both.

But the wet clothes were absolute nests of filthy bacteria.

 

[tboy]

Actually, I think the solution was to use bleach, because most people don't.

I don't remember if the bacteria came from the clothes or from residue in the machine. Probably both.

But the wet clothes were absolute nests of filthy bacteria.

I guess we should all start using bleach for unbleachables then eh?

 

[Esco!]

Hey guys, why not just buy Tide with bleach?? Thats what I do.
Then you dont have to do all this crazy mixing

 

[tboy]

......

And t-boy is right ... .....

......

OMFG first it was mlam or moraff and now RUB?

Jesus....what's the world coming to?

 

[stinkynuts]

OK, thanks for the responses. I think I'm getting closer and closer to the cause. The cause is absolutely 100% bacteria/mold. However, I'm not sure at this point whether it's the washer or the dryer.


The washer looks pretty clean, but then again, I only did a cursory exam. I noticed that one of my towels smelled of detergent after it was cleaned and dried, so it may be that the bacteria are feeding on that, as previously mentioned.

The dryer is also very, very weak, and I usually have to run it three times to dry a normal load of clothes, and I suspect that it's the lack of heat that is not disinfecting my clothes. There is a laundromat, but it is ten minutes away walking, and I don't have a car. I am going to buy one of those baskets with wheels so I can carry my laundry there.

Thanks so much for the input! I'll keep you updated.

 

[oldjones]

If you're not overloading the dryer, then it's defective if it takes three cycles to dry. Assuming your landlord's paying the utilities for the laundry, she's wasting money everytime the dryer doesn't dry. You might try pointing that out to the building management.

Also gas or electric dryer? Gas is considerably more efficient.

BTW. If the rinse was as good as it should be, why would there be any detergent left in your clothes to smell after the dryer? Using more detergent than you need doesn't help either. You want just a little extra sudsing, not a lot, when the wash is underway.

 

[tboy]

I am going to buy one of those baskets with wheels so I can carry my laundry there.

You mean the ones the little old ladies use? LOL

Is this the basement you're moving out of soon? If so, no worries then.....