Sour smell on laundry

Almost every load of laundry i do smells fine when it first comes out of the dryer, but after an hour or two it smells sour. I rewash almost every load of laundry only to get the same result. I've had the city sewer people come out and it's not anything to do with that. I am having water quality people come out and test the water, but it only seems to be an issue with laundry. I have a Kinetico Water Softener system and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could it be related to the water softener.

Cocos Nana said:

Almost every load of laundry i do smells fine when it first comes out of the dryer, but after an hour or two it smells sour. I rewash almost every load of laundry only to get the same result. I've had the city sewer people come out and it's not anything to do with that. I am having water quality people come out and test the water, but it only seems to be an issue with laundry. I have a Kinetico Water Softener system and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem and could it be related to the water softener.

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You may want to change Landry detergent and see if that helps, especial if you are using a liquid detergent.

That worked for me.

I found if it sits too long in the washer after it is done that can contribute especially, in hot weather. I found too, that even though I try to wash everything in cold water, at times, I need to use a hot water wash. Certain laundry soaps, especially better ones, like Wisk, will work better than the cheaper ones. Have you ever bought the cheap dish soap and did your dishes by hand? And, found you had to use twice as much and the soap didn't clean well? I have. I think, it is the same with laundry soap, too.

Many fabric softeners have a certain chemical that creates a vomit smell to a small portion of the population. I am one of those people affected by this unusual issue. The smell can be described as anything from a chemical mountain, to sour vomit. Try washing your clothes several times with a scent free detergent, (only a small amount is needed), and be sure to use the pre soak and second rinse. Do not use dryer sheets, then retest the smell. Better yet, buy a few new towels and wash them in cold water only without detergent, dry them, and see if the smell is still there.

Use less soap unless your clothers are truly dirty. Are you a machanic or a lawn care worker? Most people use way too much soap and detergent for their laundry.

If it is, you can probably conclude it is your water is the likely culprit. If the smell is not there, wash them in hot water and check them again.

We could use some more details about your water. Are you on a well? If so, when was the last time you had a proper test done?

Good luck, keep us updated.

Forgot to add... HE laundry machines should be run with some bleach occassionally to minimize odors, and leave the door open between washes to prevent bacteria.

I Ditto that.

Good test may be to try No soap and see what it smells like.

We tried the environmental safe detergent then we noticed funny smells.

Then we switched back to the type that works and the smell disappeared.

The environmental safe cost more and you are paying more for the stink.

Seems like powder types are not as bad, but there are good liquids also.

Thanks everyone. Our water is city water and I have tried all of the above - no soap, different soap, no softener, not leaving them in the washer, etc. I have even thrown towels away and bought new ones only to wash them and have the smell. I bought a new washer and dryer a few years ago because I was so fed up. That's why I was wondering if the water softerner system may be the culprit, although the water in the kitchen and shower doesn't have an odor. I'm running out of options and I guess will have to wait until the water quality people test the water for me. Again, thank you everyone for your input.

Put the system in bypass for a week and try it again. Simple and effective test. The Kinetico bypass is fairly simple, let us know if this changes anything.

Cocos Nana said:

Thanks everyone. Our water is city water and I have tried all of the above - no soap, different soap, no softener, not leaving them in the washer, etc. I have even thrown towels away and bought new ones only to wash them and have the smell. I bought a new washer and dryer a few years ago because I was so fed up. That's why I was wondering if the water softerner system may be the culprit, although the water in the kitchen and shower doesn't have an odor. I'm running out of options and I guess will have to wait until the water quality people test the water for me. Again, thank you everyone for your input.

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Is your washer a Front loader ?

One other thing that I can be guilty of at times if in a hurry, overloading the washer. If those clothes can't swish about, they don't get clean. And, soap goes in first, then clothes. And, like Ditto said, to which I agree, certain odors are really bad to me and can make me sick to my stomach. Meanwhile, no one else smells it but me. God, I hate that. lol.

The smell could be coming from the dryer. Occasionally lint will hang up on the discharge and then get moist and mold will grow.

Tom Sawyer said:

The smell could be coming from the dryer. Occasionally lint will hang up on the discharge and then get moist and mold will grow.

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Good point.

Gas dryers are the worst with that problem.

Cocos Nana said:

Thanks everyone. Our water is city water and I have tried all of the above - no soap, different soap, no softener, not leaving them in the washer, etc. I have even thrown towels away and bought new ones only to wash them and have the smell. I bought a new washer and dryer a few years ago because I was so fed up. That's why I was wondering if the water softerner system may be the culprit, although the water in the kitchen and shower doesn't have an odor. I'm running out of options and I guess will have to wait until the water quality people test the water for me. Again, thank you everyone for your input.

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Do you have an upright washer? I've heard the seal around the door allows water to be trapped inside the bottom panel somewhere which is causing the smell. Open the door and smell the bottom.

Have you tried using white vinegar in the rinse? If you have an HE washer, try using 1/2 cup in the last rinse. The clothes will not smell like vinegar afterwards. Also might try adding baking soda with the detergent.

I would also try taking a load of towels to a friends house or the laundromat and see what the results are after that.

Picking up on the front-loading washer theme above --

if you do have a front-loader, run your hand around the inside of the front seal. I've had kitchen sponges, wash cloths, etc. get lodged in there, and they can really smell.

Also, my front-loader has a "clean washer" setting that the manual recommends you do once a month, using bleach (no detergent, only bleach) to clean out residue, etc. Seems to work pretty well.

Try taking a towel or two out of the same load of laundry and letting it air dry. If they do not stink, but the rest of that load does, then you can narrow it down to a dryer issue. If the towel stinks when dried separately then it's something to do with your water or washing issues.