Our Bosch Maxx washing machine often emits a really bad stagnant water smell.
Could it be a block filter somewhere inside ?

Richard Ringrose, April 2008

I have this too! I have a Hoover Softwave auto wash 1000 (inherited through a house purchase). I have tried a hot wash with bleach, leaving the door open, even washing machine crystals. Nothing is shifting this stagnant water smell. My clothes smell worse after they are washed, than when they went into the machine. It's disgusting. I am close to buying a new one, but this one works perfectly well and i can't afford a new one! What will make the smell go?

miss nicol, August 2009

1) check if your machine has a square flap on the front filter could be behind there ,no square flap check behind the 2) front kick panel lastly the filter could be located inside the 3) bottom of the sump hose this is the one that is attached to the bottom of the outer drum casing
Do a service wash 95* no clothes add powder and neat bleach (monthly) should kill stagnant smell and any mould growing inside leaving the door open after a wash aids ventilation

wirecutterman, April 2008