No one likes mold in a washing machine, but it’s very common. This nasty problem not only leaves a bad smell but can also affect your machine’s efficiency and may even be bad for your health. But the good news is you don’t have to live with mold. A few preventive measures and a routine cleaning cycle are needed to keep your washing machine mold-free and working properly. Here are some practical and effective tips for removing mold from your washing machine.
1. Understand The Causes Of Mold In Washing Machines
Before getting into solutions, let’s understand why mold grows in washing machines. Mold thrives in damp, warm, poorly ventilated areas, making washing machines ideal for growth. Front-load washers are especially known to spur mold growth because they have an airtight door seal and rubber gaskets that trap moisture inside the washer. Residuals from detergent, fabric softener, and built-up dirt contribute to mold development as they form the ideal food source that spores love.
2. Use The Right Detergent
Use the right detergent, and avoid overloading. Too much detergent can create a breeding ground for mold. Excess detergent isn’t washed completely off; it leaves a residue that can encourage mold and mildew to grow. This is especially true of HE washers, which use less water and, therefore, less detergent. Only use HE-labeled detergents, and use the recommended amount, or a little less if you wash a small load. Fabric softeners also often deposit residue. Replace that stuff with vinegar, ensuring your drum remains mold-free.
3. Keep The Door Open Between Washes
Keep the door open after each load to prevent mold from accumulating in your washing machine. This helps the inside dry completely and reduces moisture, which mold needs to grow. This tip is especially important for front-loading washers. Many people close the door to make the laundry area look neat, but letting the machine air out is essential. Also, leave the detergent drawer open, as it can hold moisture, too.
4. Clean The Rubber Gasket Constantly
One of the biggest mold culprits is the rubber gasket or seal on front-loading washing machines. Here, dirt, detergent residue, and water can collect, providing the ideal mold haven. Keep this area clean, and regularly inspect it to prevent growing mold. Here’s how to do so:
- Clean the gasket using a damp cloth after every wash to remove any moisture that may have accumulated.
- Clean the gasket thoroughly using one part white vinegar and ten parts water weekly. Spray this solution on every corner around the gasket and wipe clean with a soft cloth.
- Using an old toothbrush, apply a paste made from water and baking soda over some of the molds’ tough spots, then gently rub.
5. Run Monthly Maintenance Washes
Monthly washing is essential to keep it in brilliant shape and mold-free. It involves running an empty cycle at very hot settings to get spores, residues of soap, and the grime on the drum’s internal parts out completely. Here’s an effective method:
- Add two cups of white vinegar directly to the drum. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that helps break down detergent residue and mineral deposits.
- Add half a cup of baking soda to the detergent drawer for an extra cleaning boost. This combination will freshen up the drum and remove odors.
Run the washing machine on its hottest cycle without putting in any clothes. Mixing vinegar, baking soda and hot water will clean and disinfect the washer.
6. Avoid Liquid Fabric Softeners
Fabritouch and other fabric softeners deposit a waxy residue in your washer, which later becomes a feast for mold. You can use white vinegar to soften clothes. Add half a cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle to soften the clothes and remove residue. White vinegar is also weakly acidic in PH value, slowing mold growth.
7. Dry Detergent Dispenser
The detergent and fabric softener dispenser can retain moisture even days after your wash cycle is completed, making it a perfect breeding ground for mold. Prevent this by:
- Each time you are done washing, remove the dispenser drawer from the machine and let the excess water drain.
- Rinse the drawer with warm water to remove soap and fabric softener residue.
- Let the drawer dry completely before reinserting it into the machine.
8. Install A Dehumidifier In The Laundry Room
If you live in an extremely humid environment, your laundry room will soon become a perfect place for mold. A small dehumidifier in the laundry area can help significantly reduce overall moisture in the air and kill mold. Alternatively, you can ensure that your laundry room is well-ventilated, with open windows or a fan running while you wash and after.
Mold is dangerous in washing machines as it grows on the rubber gasket, drum, and within the door. Wipe them with a dry towel after each wash.
9. Mold Resistance Machine Cleaner
Most washing machine manufacturers have special cleaning tablets or liquids you can use to wash your machine and prevent mold. These cleaners are sometimes designed to break down such residues and eliminate mold spores effectively. Therefore, a washing machine cleaner you use every few months can protect you against mold growth.
10. Watch Out For Your Drain Pump Filter
The drain pump filter of your washing machine is another spot where residues and moisture might collect and eventually cause mold formation. Locate and clean the filter after every few months so that the debris or lint it traps is removed. Cleaning this filter will prevent mold growth while your washer drains efficiently, elongating its life and helping improve its performance.
11. Be Aware Of Overloading
The main problem with overloading is that it makes it hard for water to circulate; sometimes, soap and cloth may fail to pass through. All those are food for molds, so only stuff a little inside the washing machine simultaneously. Instead, follow the manufacturer’s guide for the amount that needs to be loaded without residue buildup.
12. Occasional Bleach Clean
Though bleach needs to be used occasionally, there will be instances where it should run its course, particularly if there’s a nasty odor. Here are the guidelines on how to apply bleach correctly on the machine:
- Pour one cup into the drum or in your detergent drawer.
- Run an empty wash cycle at the hottest so the bleach reaches everywhere throughout the machine.
- Allow the machine to air thoroughly after the cycle to prevent the remaining bleach smell.
13. Set Monthly Cleaning Reminder
Consistency would help keep your washing machine free from mold. Install a reminder on your calendar or phone to clean it once a month. On-and-off cleaning will ensure there’s no chance for mold to grow. Later, this consistent attention could save you cash in the long run. Firstly, it will allow you to use your appliance longer, and second, repairs will be less frequent because it is less prone to damage.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Using the Wrong Detergent: Ordinary detergent in an HE washer produces too many suds, which can lead to mold. Always use the type of detergent suitable for your machine.
Leaving Wet Clothes Inside the Washer: Leaving wet clothes sitting in the machine after a cycle invites mold; front-loading washers are especially prone to this.
Not cleaning the door gasket: Mold loves to stay in damp, dark door gasket crevices. Wipe it regularly.
Not cleaning the detergent drawer: Soap and fabric softener can collect and accumulate in the detergent drawer. Buildup in the detergent drawer allows for a good supply of moisture that promotes mold. Clean it periodically using hot water and a bit of bleach.
Keeping the Washer Door Closed: Keeping the door closed between loads traps moisture, creating an ideal environment for mold to grow. Leave the door open to allow proper air circulation.
Conclusion
The most preventable issue among all is the mold in your washing machines. These will help ensure your machine is safe from mold for much longer while running efficiently. It just involves some small habits, such as not leaving the door open after washing and wiping clean the rubber gasket at its end while choosing detergent for it as well. Following proper and timely maintenance helps mold never return to the washing machine and keeps its life a fresh, clean, and efficient home appliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Prevent a Washing Machine From Getting Moldy?
Prevent mold by cleaning your machine regularly. Use detergent wisely, ensure proper ventilation, and keep the drum dry. Avoid overloading, clean the gasket, use hot water cycles, and check filters often for the best maintenance.
How to Keep Washing Machine Mold Free?
To prevent mold from growing on your washing machine, clean it regularly and keep it well-ventilated. You should also use hot water, dry the gasket, clean the dispenser, remove wet clothes in time, check the drain filter, and reduce the humidity in your laundry area.
How Do I Stop Mold Behind My Washing Machine?
Cleaning techniques and natural remedies can kill mold, especially in hidden sections. Improve ventilation options and control over moisture content. Move airflow machines, consider DIY solutions when possible, and get professional help maintaining routines.