How To Prevent and Clean a Moldy Washing Machine

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

Does your washing machine stink?

Keeping Your Washing Machine Odor-Free

Your clothes should come out of the washing machine smelling fresh and clean. If they instead smell musky, it could be a sign of a mold problem.
This is particularly common among front-loading machines. Front-loaders are more efficient because they require less water. However, this small amount of water may not be able to rinse away all of the softener and soap in the machine. The soap scum instead sticks to the drum of the machine, as does debris and dirt from your clothing. This provides a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, including mold.
There are ways to prevent mold smell, however. Below are some tips for keeping your washing machine odor-free:

Ditch Your Old Detergent and Softener

Since your fabric softener and detergent are likely the sources of the mold, you should stop using them. Instead, skip the liquid softener and choose detergents designed for front-loading machines.

Dry the Drum

Mold grows quickly whenever there is excess moisture. You should thus make sure the machine drum doesn’t stay wet for too long. You can do this by removing wet clothes from the machine immediately or putting a dehumidifier near the appliance.

Keep the Gasket Clean

The gasket is another common location for mold growth. Clean it regularly with a solution containing one part water and one part vinegar.
If you do discover an odor in your washing machine, however, there are mold cleanup steps you can take. First, mix quarter-cups of water and baking soda together and add the solution to the detergent container. Then, put two cups of vinegar into the drum and run the machine. After the cycle has run, you can scrub away any pesky fungi with a cleaning solution that contains equal parts water and white vinegar.
If you followed the above steps and your appliance still smells, it is time to call in the mold remediation professionals. They can locate the source of the mold and dry off any moist areas that are attracting the fungus.
Proper black mold cleanup does more than just protect your dirty laundry. It also prevents mold damage to the rest of your Glendale, AZ, house.