My new Siemens iQ500 has been smelling musty lately, even though I use it regularly. I've already washed at 60°C and cleaned the rubber seal, but the smell keeps coming back. Is it a problem with the machine itself or am I doing something wrong?
Clean out the lint filter really thoroughly - that's usually the culprit. With new machines, a lot of dirt and fibers pile up in there during transport and in the first few weeks, and they start to ferment. The filter's normally located at the bottom front of the machine - just unscrew it and rinse it properly under running water. After that the smell should be gone.
If that doesn't help, run a cleaning cycle with an empty drum at 90°C. You can dump in a box of washing machine cleaner (you can get it anywhere for a few euros) or just use a cup of baking soda or white vinegar instead. That kills off the bacteria and mold that thrive in the damp environment.
Important after that: Let the drum and especially the rubber seal dry properly after every wash. Leave the door open so the moisture can escape. And don't always just use 30 or 40°C for regular laundry - running a hotter temperature at least every two weeks helps prevent the problem. Your Siemens is a good machine, but they don't like being damp all the time either.
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