Horrible Smelling Laundry

Is it a front loading washer? I think that is a big part of the problem -- and the pjs are just a coincidence. I have heard that there are cleaners for the front loaders that can help with issues like this.

I actually went through the same thing. I have a front load washer and it was molding inside the machine. Brand new 6 months old and the problem started. I now leave the washer open when not in use. I also use 1 tablespoon of laundry soap, and 1 tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinager, then wash it down with some water. I heard vinager cleans better than bleach. So far so good. My mother in law has even said our cloths smell better. Good luck to you.

When I saw the title...the first thing I thought was..."it's the heat". (In this heat, even 5 minutes between the washer and the dryer and clothes can start getting funky. Not necessarily out and out sour, but funky). I've lived in places with heat up to 115...and laundry is something that requires painful -almost ridiculous- diligence.

But when I read on...pajamas? Huh. Are they 100% cotton? Because if they're NOT cotton I'd guess that they melted or burned a bit in the dryer. Which creates a funky smell that varies by material (polyester tends to smell like plastic or vodka, silk is almost indescribable, spandex is burned popcorn or rubber, satin is X, flannel is Y, etc etc etc).

Certain fabrics absorb odors more than others. I'd check your dryer (hello sniff test, & lint sniff test). If it's your dryer...make sure the lint trap is empty...leave the door open a few hours...and then run it a few time with nothing in it or with something odor absorbing in it.

Anyhow...just a couple of thoughts.

I really think it may be the PJ's themselves. Most PJ's are required by law to be treated with horrible flame retardent chemicals, all of which are banned in Europe for safety/health reasons. Odors can cling to chemicals and may disperse in the washing machine, and over time get over other clothes as well. I would change PJ's. Go for the 100% cotton snug fitting jammies. They are super cute and free of chemicals. Also, try a clean rinsing detergent without added scents. Odors can also cling to soap/detergent residues and cause problems. I use Charlie's Soap and it is awesome. If interested, just Google Charlie's Soap and you can pull up the website really easy. Hope that helps!

Mine did the exact same thing. I thought I was going crazy. I finally figured out that it was my washing machine - a front loader. It was horrible. There is this stuff called affresh that you can buy and run thru your machine. It helps a bit, but not for long.
I ended up getting a new machine but mine was also old and malfunctioning.

Do you have a front loader? Many models are notorious for a bad smell, like stated before, make sure you leave the door open when not in use and once a month, run an empty load with bleach, we use vinegar and Bac Out as I am not a fan of bleach and it works just as well in keeping the washer clean and smelling properly. If mold has built up, you may have to get in there and do some serious scrubbing in the vents to start fresh.

PJ's are made with flame retardant material and that treatment acts like a magnet for all sorts of stuff that floats in your laundry water. So you say you have soaked your clothes in vinegar water, but did you rinse them in vinegar water after you washed them? Wash you laundry as normal, 1st rinse cycle add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse water, then a 2nd rinse the clothes. Do this for all your laundry. It will remove any residue that clings to your laundry. As far as your washer goes, you could have a mold problem. I've heard this is prevalent with front loading washers especially. Some appliance stores sell a treatment that you can use to clean out the washer. Personally I would try running a hot water bleach solution through it, you don't need to put laundry in to have this happen so you can up the bleach concentration, run an extra large load of nothing with the really high amount of bleach in the water. Then when you're done with your laundry leave the washer lid open so things can air/dry out. As far as your daughter's dresser drawers, sprinkle baking soda in the drawer then cover it with shelf liner paper. It will absorb any odors that are there. Change this about once a month. You could also dry your clothes on a laundry line in the sun. The sunlight is a natural purifier, cuts down on your power bill as well. Nothing smells nicer than line dried sheets and towels, so by all means try this with her pj's.

I think the solution is to run a empty "load" through with vinegar in it. Then NEVER close the lid of the washer or dryer. Both should always be open. In this wonderful weather you can air dry clothes too.

My MIL just mentioned to me that she had a problem with her washing machine smelling terrible. She found a product at the appliance store, but I think it's at the grocery store too. You put it in your washing machine every few months and it keeps it clean. She said it works great. I don't know what it's called, but I'm guessing it wouldn't be too hard to find.

If it's a front load washer, welcome to the club. I have a Whirlpool Duet and when searching for moldy laundry/towles found so many links to others with the same problem. Seems to start within 1-2 years of getting the machines.

I had to remove the kick plate and found a filter. I removed it and found black, slimey muck. Cleaned the filter and used a bottle brush to clean the inlet and outlet hoses to the filter using bleach. Removed and cleaned the detergent dispensers. Used the bleach and bottle brush to clean around the rubber inside the door, etc. Basically, the filter was the main culpret, but really had to clean, scrub and bleach the entire washer. Then ran an empty load with bleach only and an empty load with white vinegar only. Will do this once a month for maintenance.
Don't ever close the door if not in use. It will create the environment for mold to grow.
What a pain in the you know what!