How To Clean Mould From The Washing Machine Drawer
The sad truth is that weve all seen mould inside of our washing machines in some way or another
Where theres damp, theres usually mould not far behind, so dont worry, its OK! Weve got you covered because this post is going to tell you the best ways to get the mould out of the washing machine.
The washing machine drawer is one of the prime areas for mould growth, and it does look quite unsightly if left for too long. Keeping on top of the cleaning of this area of your washing machine means you dont have a mammoth scrubbing task later down the line.
It could also save your laundry from coming out smelling a bit musty or earthy. No one wants that, right?
How To Get Mold Stains Out Of Clothes And Fabric: 9 Methods
You can get most mold stains out of clothes by treating the stain with common household and commercial products such as bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar. You will see visible results almost instantly with any of these methods, letting you know that the treatment successfully kills the mold!
That said, you will want to carefully wash and dry the garment after using any of these treatments. Store it separately from the rest of your clothes and check on it two days later to see if any spores survived to grow back.
If you have any respiratory issues, you may need to discard the moldy garment rather than treat it out of concern for your own safety.
Finally, anyone handling moldy items should take precautions such as wearing gloves and a face mask to avoid breathing in the spores as much as possible.
How To Remove Mold From A Washing Machine Seal: Conclusion
Cleaning your washing machine seal is an important part of washing machine maintenance. Its easy and fairly quick to do. Heres a quick recap of how to remove mold from a washing machine seal, as well as how to prevent it from coming back.
- Clean the inside and outside of the rubber seal using distilled white vinegar, cotton balls or pads, and Q-tips
- Run the empty washing machine on a warm or hot water cycle, or use the self-cleaning feature, to rinse the machine
- Keep the washing machine door open between loads to prevent excessive moisture, which causes mold
Now that you know how to remove mold from a washing machine seal, you should clean yours as soon as possible. Gather your supplies , and get to work!
P.S. Speaking of laundry, do you end up with baskets of wrinkled clothes? Check out my tips on how to conquer wrinkled laundry!
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How To Clean Mold Off Clothing
By: Emilie Sennebogen | Updated: Apr 14, 2021
Mold in your household is something every homeowner fears, especially when it comes to the highly toxic black mold. If you have mold problems, it usually means you have water coming in somewhere, so the first thing you need to do is address the source of the problem, whether it’s a leaky basement or a hole in the roof. As you’re fixing the root of the issue you’re also going to want to get the mold off of any of the surfaces that it has managed to grow on. This probably means your walls, furniture, and unfortunately, even your clothing.
One of the main ways your clothes might show mold is if they’ve been kept in storage. Maybe you’ve put your winter sweaters in boxes in a room of your house where you have an unknown moisture problem. Or perhaps you’ve accidentally zipped some hanging clothes into a plastic storage bag before they’ve had a chance to fully dry.
No matter how it happens, once mold has gotten into your clothes, you officially have a problem. The good is news is that you’re not necessarily going to have to throw everything away. With some persistence and quick action, you can rid those clothes of mold so they’re safe to wear again.
Cleaning Tips For Front Loader Washing Machines
How to clean a washing machine front loader
Front loaders are the most common type of washing machine, but they are also at most risk of mold growth because of their door design. The rubber gasket around the door creates the perfect environment for mold to grow because its dark and damp. The folds in the rubber that create the door seal provide hiding places where you might not notice mold is accumulating until its already established.
Its a good idea to check around the door of your front loader once a week as part of your usual cleaning routine. Pull back the rubber to inspect between the folds and give it a quick wipe down with a rubber-safe, antibacterial cleaner. If you see black marks on your cleaning utensils, thats an indication that mold and mildew are growing inside the machine.
To further help dry out your washer between loads, use a microfiber cloth to wick away any moisture around the door and basket . Microfiber is best for this because its highly absorbent and doesnt leave lint behind.
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Clean Mold From Front Load Washer With Vinegar
Vinegar is ideal to take care of your stinky washer. Hard water leads to mineral deposits forming all through your washing machine, so to learn how to clean mold from front load washer, use something that can break down the minerals. Adding two cups of vinegar or lemon juice can help. Virtually everyone has one or the other in the pantry.
If you dont have these ingredients, you can also use regular bleach or oxygenated bleach. However, vinegar should do the trick on its own, as it is a powerful cleaning detergent. Vinegar is even suitable as an effective vinyl siding cleaner.
Put the vinegar, lemon juice, or a cup of bleach directly into the wash tub and run a wash cycle. Again, put it on the hottest, longest setting. This technique works well with front loading machines and will also work with your top loader and high efficiency washer to eliminate mold and mildew and leave your washer ready for its next load of laundry.
Tips For Preventing Mold Growth In Washers
Now that you know how to clean mold from your washing machine, you can almost wave goodbye to mold issues once and for all. But we have one more thing to remind you of: prevention.
Its important to prevent mold from growing in your washer in the first place. If you stay on top of this, youll never have an excessive build-up of mold. It saves you from spending an entire Saturday afternoon cleaning your machine!
- Keep the machine dry: After each wash, dry the washing machine. You can let it air dry by leaving the door open, or you can manually dry it with a towel. Moisture likes to fester in damp, dark places, so make sure you remove moisture from the rubber seal too.
- Use the right detergent: Dont use standard detergent in a high-efficiency washer. This can cause soap build-up, making it harder for your machine to rinse water effectively. Excess water means a higher chance of mold.
- Add a fan to your laundry room: Add an extractor fan or air-conditioner to improve airflow in your laundry room. You can also leave the windows open, but this may not be fun in the winter!
- Check dryer vent: If you have a tumble dryer, keep the vent clean and tight. Otherwise, it can leak moist air into the laundry room and lead to mold issues.
- Deep clean machine monthly: You should deep clean your washing machine every month to stay on top of dirt and mold build-up.
- Remove wet clothes immediately: When a cycle is finished, transfer the clothes to the dryer or clothesline as soon as possible.
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S To Remove The Mold:
Leave The Door Open Or Ajar
To prevent mold and mildew from growing and keep smells at bay, its best to leave the washer door open or ajar after each wash until the washer thoroughly dries out.
You might also consider leaving the door open all the time to prevent mold from growing. If your washer is in a high traffic area, you might consider using a laundry lasso to keep your door ajar while its not in use.
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Why Does My Washing Machine Have Mold
Front loading washing machines are known to be some of the most susceptible when it comes to mold, and its thanks in part to their efficient design.
These specific types of washers were designed to be high efficiency by using less water and power, but with those good points, it also means that some of the detergents and other laundry products cant get rinsed away properly.
After repeated use and not much space in between washes, these products begin to build up either in the machine or the drainage pipe.
Although theyre tested by the manufacturers, the conditions are somewhat different from a standard home, as people rarely air them out of clean them.
The result of this repeated use is a thick sludge or coating of grime that develops thanks to all of the detergents and softeners, as well as the minor pieces of fabric and fibers that come off of the clothes during washing.
This sludge has nowhere to go, and so it builds up further in the pipes or machine if not cleaned correctly.
As the perfect environment for a mold spore to latch onto and start growing, its a common place for mold to begin.
Many people with front loaders notice the unpleasant but familiar smell before they even realize that the sludge and mold have started to build up, and then it requires some serious cleaning to get rid of.
Mold is commonly found in the laundry as well as other areas of the home with excess moisture, like the bathroom or kitchen.
How Often Should You Clean A Washing Machine
Giving your washing machine a clean every month is a good idea, according to Curry’s repair advice service. “We recommend doing it once a month. If youâre starting to get little black spots building up inside your door seal, or you can see sludge when you gently pull the door seal back, itâs time for a wash.”
This will help eliminate any lurking bacteria, but if your machine has been exposed to bodily fluids like blood, then you should wash it straight afterwards on the highest temperature, with diluted bleach added to the machine.
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How To Remove Mold From Colored Clothes
One of the safest ways to get mold out of colored clothes without damaging the fabric is to use the vinegar method described earlier in this article. Vinegar kills more than 80% of all the types of mold in the world! It can also do a great job on any mildew in your bathroom or kitchen.
Adding vinegar to your wash will also remove the build-up from other soaps and detergents, making colors look more vivid and fabrics feel softer. So basically, using vinegar is a win-win all around!
Most importantly for your brightly colored clothing, vinegar will not bleach the dye away as chlorine bleach would. You can safely add vinegar to the wash for most types of clothing. The main exception here is dry clean only clothing, which should always go to a professional for mold treatment.
Prevent Mold With Commercial Products
There are several laundry detergents or additives that work to get rid of mold spores from clothing.
Laundry Additives
Some products stop mold from finding a place to rest in the washing machine, killing it before it starts growing. If spores do settle, using laundry additives prevents it from growing during the next wash cycle. You can also make a natural laundry detergent to discourage growth.
Use a Dehumidifier
The last one of the ways to clean mold from your front loading machines is with a dehumidifier. These keep damp spots from forming in the laundry room, starving the mold of a humid place to live.
Keeping it in the laundry room close to the washer helps to keep the mold at bay before even having to start the cleanup process.
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Whats It Going To Take
The upshot is that the job of keeping mold at bay falls largely to the consumer. Manufacturers instruct owners of front-loaders not to use too much detergent, to regularly wipe down and clean the gasket, and to leave the door open between loads, among other steps.
Any appliance that routinely comes in contact with dirt and water is going to require regular cleaning and maintenance, says James Dickerson, chief scientific officer for Consumer Reports. However, manufacturers might be asking too much of consumers when it comes to front-load washing machines. These appliances must do a better job of creating an inhospitable environment for mold spores, bacteria, and other microbes to grow.
Because even an aggressive cleaning strategy may not help. In a 2016 survey of more than 67,000 CR members, we found that when people do take steps to fight mold, it doesnt guarantee that it wont develop. Another CR survey in 2018 found that only 30 percent of members who reported incidence of mold said they had been able to eradicate it.
So what explains why mold appears in some front-loaders and not in others? There are so many factors about both the machine and the environment its in that could contribute to mold growth, says Nanni. It may be impossible to eliminate the potential for mold through consumer maintenance, or even by manufacturers redesigning the machine itself.
Baking Soda & Vinegar Wash
After the bleach has sanitized the drum, this combination works as a secondary cleaner and deodorizer for your washer. It should remove any lingering dirt and grime, leaving your washer odor-free and back to regular working order.
- Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of water and add it to your machines detergent container.
- Use four cups of plain white vinegar to a top-load machine or two cups to a front-load model. Pour the vinegar into the drum.
- Run a high-temperature cycle.
If stubborn spots remain, wipe down the inside of the drum with your washrag or sponge, being sure to check all the nooks and the gasket seal. Wiping down the drum also helps remove any remaining vinegar smell. Run a rinse cycle if you want to wash everything away. Lastly, you can use an essential oil on the seal, as an odor remover and mild disinfectant.
Now thats really how to clean a smelly washer!
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Tip #: Open Door Policy
Sometimes, the solution to a problem is simple. In this case, one of the most effective ways to prevent mold and mildew growth on a front load washer is by keeping the door open after a wash. Its logical to think hot washes kill bacteria on the spot, but the reality is, any kind of residual moisture provides an opportunity for spores to grow. Even worse, when the door is closed after a wash , the sealed environment creates humid conditions where mold and mildew thrive.
Keeping the door ajar is a low-maintenance solution to drying these problem areas and reducing the chances of any kind of bacterial growth.
Remove The Soap Holder Tray
Believe or not, the tray that holds the detergent, bleach or fabric softener will get dirty and you might even see mold on it.
To remove the tray pull it all the way out and pop out
Wipe down all compartments with the vinegar and water solution. If you find you have mold in any of the compartments, you must kill the mold by soaking it in a solution of half vinegar, half water for a week.
Once its soaked for a week, wash with hot soapy water. Unfortunately, just washing with hot soapy water wont kill the mold.
If youre wondering why you cant just throw tray into bleach to kill mold, its because vinegar is far superior at killing mold than bleach.
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Clean The Washer Drum And Door
When the cycle is complete, use a soft, absorbent cloth to dry around the washer door and gaskets. These areas should be cleaned and maintained regularly to ensure a watertight seal.
For a front load washer, gently peel back the flexible door gasket to clean the inside. This is usually where dirt and detergent residue gets trapped and mold begins to grow. Wearing protective gloves, dip a microfiber cloth or soft-bristled brush in a solution of 1/4 cup of chlorine bleach and two cups of water to clean this area. Once all of the mold is gone, dry the area with a soft cloth.
The Spruce / Cristina Tudor
