Have you noticed mold in your washing machine? This can be a big problem. It can make your clothes smell really bad, but it can also make you sick. Show
It’s crucial to clean mold from your machine as soon as you notice it. Whether you’ve got a front loader or top loader machine, we have the necessary steps for how to get rid of mold in a washing machine. Let’s get your machine back to sparkling clean and ensure that your clothes are also smelling fresh and looking spotless! How to Clean Mold In Washing Machine Make a cleaning solution of diluted bleach. Apply the solution to the moldy areas of the machine and scrub well. Pour ½ cup of bleach into the machine and run a hot cycle. Clean out the lint filter and drain. Dry the machine well with a towel. Table of Contents
Do All Front Load Washers Have Mold Problems?Front-load washers are more likely to have mold issues than top loaders. This is because of the rubber seal and gasket on the door. This seals in water during a washing cycle and doesn’t dry thoroughly. So you have to clean and dry it yourself. The moisture just sits there if you don’t, creating the ideal environment for mold to grow. That being said, mold can easily grow in top-loading washers, too. These appliances have a metal lip on the door and basin, which users often forget to clean. If you don’t clean these elements regularly, mold can grow. Can Mold In Washing Machines Make You Sick?Yes, mold anywhere in your home can cause illness (1). If you have allergies or asthma, you’re even more at risk. Mold can cause adverse health effects, such as irritation to your eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and skin. Symptoms include sneezing, rash, a runny nose, coughing, red eyes, and more. In worst-case scenarios, you can suffer difficulty breathing or asthma attacks. Other people at risk include babies, children, older people, people with eczema, and people with a compromised immune system (2). Black mold, also known as Stachybotrys chartarum, is a greenish-black colored mold (3). It’s quite slimy when it’s wet but powdery when dry (4). It can look splodgy or patchy and tends to grow on wood, drywall, and wallpaper rather than inside washing machines. Causes of Mold In Washing MachinesBefore we get into how to clean mold from your washing machine, it’s important to know how it got there in the first place. That can help you prevent it in the future! Here are five reasons why you might have a moldy machine:
How to Get Rid of Mold In Washing MachineLet’s get into an effective method for those wondering how to remove mold in a washing machine. For a super deep clean, you can use bleach. It’s a great mold remover and killer. If you want to be more eco-friendly, distilled white vinegar can help.
Safety Warning Since mold is an irritant, it’s essential to wear protective clothing like a mask, goggles, and gloves. You should also open doors and windows to improve ventilation. Don’t allow pets, children, or anyone Immuno-compromised into the area. What You’ll Need:
In Front Loader Washer1. Prep Area and Make Cleaning SolutionProtect yourself with a mask, goggles, and gloves. Make sure the area is well-ventilated. Next, make your cleaning solution. If you’re using bleach, dilute it in a jug or basin according to the packaging instructions. This is usually about one cup of bleach per gallon of water. A smaller ratio would be about 50 milliliters of bleach per liter of water. If using distilled white vinegar, make a cleaning solution with a 1:1 ratio with water. Caution Never mix bleach and white vinegar. Choose one or the other for every step of this cleaning process. Combining these two ingredients can create lethal chlorine gas (5). 2. Soak Cloths and Apply to MoldSoak a few microfiber cloths in your cleaning solution and apply them to the moldy areas of the machine. For example, you might want to stuff them in the rubber gasket so that all areas are soaking in the solution. Leave for 20-30 minutes. 3. Scrub the Moldy AreasDip a scrubbing brush in your cleaning solution and scrub the moldy areas well to remove the loosened mold and mildew. You may need to apply some elbow grease! Repeat steps two and three if necessary until the mold is visibly gone. 4. Run a Hot CycleToss the dirty rags into the washing machine. Pour ½ cup of bleach or one cup of distilled white vinegar into the detergent drawer. Choose the hottest cycle and run the washing machine. 5. Clean Lint Filter and DrainWhen the machine is finished, remove the dirty rags and dry them in the tumble dryer or on a clothesline. Leave the washing machine door open to air dry. Empty your lint filter into a basin or jug. Now remove the drain. Run it under warm water to remove dirt. Using dish soap, scrub the drain filter to get rid of mold and dirt. Rinse well before returning to the machine. 6. Spray Machine CleanSpray the body of the washing machine, door, gasket, and inside with a multi-purpose cleaner. Wipe with a microfiber cloth to complete the job. 7. Dry MachineIn Top Loader Machine1. Wear Protective GearJust like you would with a front-loader, you should wear protective equipment. This includes your gloves, mask, and goggles. Open a window for ventilation. 2. Fill Machine With Water and CleanerSet the machine to a hot cycle and let the drum fill up with hot water. When it’s finished filling, pause the cycle. Add ½ cup of bleach or one cup of distilled white vinegar. Remember never to combine these two cleaners. It’s super dangerous! Let the water soak for one hour before continuing the wash cycle. 3. Clean Machine While Water Is SoakingDip a microfiber cloth into the hot water that’s soaking. Scrub the entire machine, all around the top and under the lip, where mold likes to hide. Pay attention to nooks and crannies. Scrub well. You can swap it out for a scrubbing brush if a cloth doesn’t cut it. 4. Run the CycleShut the washing machine lid and let the cycle continue. This gives the bleach a chance to deep clean the drain and drum. 5. Dry MachineTake a towel or microfiber cloth and wipe down the machine and drum. Make sure it’s nice and dry, which can prevent mold and mildew build-up between uses. In Detergent DispenserWe can’t forget the importance of cleaning the detergent dispenser. Mold likes to live here, too. Never skip this step. If you have a moldy drawer, then the water and detergent will drag the mold into your clothes every time you run a cycle.
Tips For Preventing Mold Growth In WashersNow 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. It’s important to prevent mold from growing in your washer in the first place. If you stay on top of this, you’ll never have an excessive build-up of mold. It saves you from spending an entire Saturday afternoon cleaning your machine!
Bye, Bye, Mold!With these steps, you can get rid of mold in your washing machine without the help of a professional. Always make sure to wear protective equipment and provide adequate airflow for your health and wellbeing. While you can use distilled white vinegar for a more eco-friendly clean, bleach is best for killing and cleaning mold. If the methods don’t work for cleaning your rubber gasket, your manufacturer can provide you with a new one. Do LG front load washers have mold problems?Based on data from CR surveys of more than 100,000 members who purchased a new washing machine between 2011 and 2021, front-load washers do present some drawbacks, notably that they are prone to mold, mildew, and odor.
How do you remove mould from rubber seal on LG washing machine?Put vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray mold with the vinegar and let the vinegar sit for 2 to 4 hours. After the time has elapsed, rinse the gasket with water. Leave washer door open and let the rubber dry.
How do you remove black mold from rubber?Mix one part bleach with four parts water in the spray bottle. Use the spray bottle to spray and wipe away any remaining bleach areas from the rubber seal. Be sure to pull/push it gently to get in the grooves where moisture can grow and mould can develop. Wearing rubber gloves will protect your hands from the bleach.
How do you get mold out of rubber in front load washer?How To Remove Mold Off The Rubber Seal On A Front Load Washer?. Wipe The Gasket. The first step is to wipe the gasket to remove any mildew, hair and such residue off the gasket. ... . Make A Paste of Baking Soda and Bleach. ... . Apply the paste. ... . Wipe It Off. ... . Run Washing Machine With Bleach.. |