Have you ever opened your washing machine to catch up on laundry, only to be hit with the odor of wet socks, rotting wood and wet dog? These odors are never a good sign, and they could be evidence that your washing machine has a mold problem.
Mold and mildew feed off of heat and humidity. Since these organisms can grow in as little as 24-48 hours, it doesn’t take long for them to show up in your washing machine when the circumstances are right.
A quick look around Reddit threads suggests that more than a few people struggle with stubborn mold, mildew and bacteria in washing machine door seals. While some have experimented with using chemicals like bleach, odd smells and stubborn particles in and around the door of their washing machines can be a recurring problem.
Thankfully, tackling mold and mildew in your washing machine just requires some elbow grease. All it takes is a proper deep clean and your washer will be back to doing its job without mold, mildew or bacteria interfering.
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Cleaning the washer, along with allowing it to air out between uses can work wonders. Not sure how to properly clean your washing machine? We’ll walk you through what you need to know about killing bacteria or mold in your washer and how to rid your machine of those awful smells.
Read more: Are You Washing Your Bath Towels Enough? Experts Doubt It
The best way to remove a bad smell from your washing machine
If you have mold in your washer, here’s how to get rid of it. Doing this monthly will help prevent mold growth.
1. Put on gloves and grab an old towel that you don’t care about.
2. Mix a solution of either bleach and hot water or vinegar and hot water. (Never mix bleach and vinegar — it creates toxic chlorine gas.)
3. Dip the towel in the mixture and start scrubbing away at any visible mold. Be sure to get the detergent dispenser and around the gaskets.
4. Front-loading machines have a gasket around the door. If you have a front loader, clean and dry it thoroughly, including all the folds. Be careful not to tear the gasket.
5. Run the wash cycle on the hottest setting your machine offers with a cup of bleach or vinegar. If using bleach, pour it into the compartment designated for bleach. If using vinegar, pour it into the detergent slot.
If your machine has a self-clean cycle, you can use that setting. This should kill any hidden mold that you may have missed.
6. Use another old towel and wipe away all the moisture in your washing machine. This includes the drum, dispensers, seals and any other areas you can reach.
7. Leave the washer door open to allow airflow to dry any parts you missed.
Simple ways to prevent mold and mildew in your washer
Leave the lid open if you’re not washing clothes
Mold grows in dark, moist areas, which is what your washer becomes after you’ve unloaded the clothes. Whether it’s a top or front loader, keeping the lid closed traps moisture, which can lead to built-up bacteria and odors.
Leaving the washing machine door open helps ventilate the area and prevents mold from growing in the first place.
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Remove wet clothes right away
Damp clothes are another breeding ground for mold. If you’re throwing in a load of laundry, make sure you’ll be home to remove the clothes right when the wash cycle ends. Not only does this prevent mold from growing in your washer, but it keeps mildew out of your clean clothing, bedding and towels.
Dry damp seals and other parts after each use
After you’re finished using your washing machine for the day, wipe down any part of the washer that’s damp. This includes the lid, drum, door, rubber gaskets and detergent dispenser (if your machine has that feature).
Keep an old towel on hand for this purpose.
Dry the seals along with the rest of your washer to prevent moisture from sticking around. And while mold contamination can happen in any washer, it’s especially common in high-efficiency (HE) front-loading washers. That’s why you should regularly wash the gaskets and seals around the door and keep them dry. The gaskets make sure water doesn’t leak around the door and they also do a good job of sealing in the moisture that can help mold grow.
You should also remove pet hair, crumpled paper or any other debris from the machine right away.
If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washer, use a powder detergent made for HE machines.
Use a high-efficiency washing machine
Liquid detergents can leave a residue in your washing machine, giving mold a food source. So if you have a high-efficiency washer, the first thing to do to keep mold in check is to make sure you’re using a laundry detergent made specifically for this type of washer, which will produce fewer suds. (Look for the letters HE on the bottle.)
Better yet, steer clear of liquid detergent altogether and switch to powder detergent or pods. Whichever you choose, make sure you’re only using as much as you need to wash your clothes. If you use too much, your clothes may have a smell and residue.
Once you’ve cleaned your washer, it’s time to move on to the rest of your house. Start with the bathroom: Here’s a simple one-hour hack for degunking your showerhead and how to unclog a toilet without a plunger.
FAQs
What cleaning chemicals should I avoid mixing when cleaning my washing machine?
You’re going to have to apply some elbow grease, put on some cleaning gloves and break out the cleaning chemicals to clean out your washer. A cleaning solution of hot water and bleach or hot water and vinegar is what you’ll want to use to scrub out the inside of the machine, but you never want to combine bleach and vinegar — that creates chlorine gas, which is toxic to you and anyone else in your home.
What should I do after I finish running my washer?
After you clean your washer and return to regular use, you’ll still want to prevent new mold or mildew from developing within the machine. When you’re done using your washing machine, make sure to dry the inside of the machine to avoid the warm, wet conditions that bacteria usually flourishes in.
