Then run the hot wash the machine actually needs
With the parts clean, run an empty cycle at the hottest temperature your machine offers, or use its dedicated drum clean programme if it has one. Heat is doing the real work here. Many people add a proprietary washing machine cleaner, white vinegar in the drum, or soda crystals in the drawer; all are commonly used and inexpensive. Don't mix cleaning products together, and don't put vinegar in the softener compartment regularly if your manual warns against it, as prolonged acid contact isn't kind to some seals.
Afterwards, wipe the drum and leave the door and the drawer open. That is the maintenance routine in one line: a hot empty wash now and then, and air in between.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
A full clean, drawer, seal, filter and hot cycle, roughly every two to three months suits most households, more often if you wash heavily soiled sports kit or pet bedding. Between those, the weekly habit that matters most is simply wiping the seal dry and leaving the door ajar so the drum can air.
Why do my clothes still smell after washing?
Three usual culprits: too much detergent, which leaves residue that holds odour; washing everything at low temperatures, which never gets hot enough to break down that residue; and leaving damp laundry sitting in the drum after the cycle ends. Try using slightly less detergent than the cap suggests, running one hot wash a week with towels or bedding, and hanging washing within an hour of the cycle finishing. If the smell persists after a full clean and those changes, it's worth having the machine looked at, as a blocked or badly fitted drain hose can also be the cause.
