washing machine odor

Recently while using my fairly new washer,sometimes there is a terrible odor (rotten eggs). I had the repair man out today and he said it was not the washing machine but was most likely the drain or the drain hose. This hose drains into the wall and down to the basement. We took out the hose and tried to run a metal line to see if there was a clog. The line would not go all the way down. I want to know before I call a plumber if I can use Drano? I believe the pipe is PVC. Any suggestions?

That standpipe you installed the discharge from the washing machine *should* have a trap 12" before it goes through the floor.

If it is trapped down in the basement then that is why the smell is coming back through the washing machine most times.

Don't use chemical drain openers. They don't work and will create a dangerous condition if the drain has to be opened. As previously noted, your problem is likely the trap location.

We tried to fish through the hole where the hose goes in the laundry room.It had some resistance about 2-3 feet down so we assume that is the trap. (Inside the wall) How can we clean it out?

It may just be soap scum, etc caught on the inside of the pipe above the trap...try some dishwashing soap and maybe some bleach and scrub it with either a long bottle brush or a rag on a stick...don't get it caught!