How To Remove Mold And Mildew From Your Front Loading Washer

Front loading washing machines aren't new, but they sure are popular appliances these days. With a stackable option and the numerous buttons that offer things such as steam cleaning, or super capacity washing, it makes these machines so much more appealing. The downside to a front loading washing machine is the inner seal can accumulate with mold and mildew, which can make your clothing stink (rather than feel clean). See the tips and instructions below to clean mold and mildew from your front loading washer:

Keep The Door Open

Front loaders have an air-tight seal on the door, so if you close the door after each and every use, there's no chance for the machine to air out. Keep the door open to allow the inside to dry thoroughly, so there is less of a chance for mold and mildew to grow.

Use The Clean Washer Cycle

If your machine offers a clean washer cycle, use it. This will help clean up your machine to remove things such as hair and lint to get them out of your machine. The buildup of these materials inside your machine can mildew and begin to stink, which will stink up your laundry room and your clothing as well.

Manually Clean Your Machine

If the clean washer cycle didn't do the trick, you can clean your machine manually using a clean rag and some white vinegar, and be sure to wear some rubber gloves. The white vinegar will help cut through the mildew smell, while also cleaning up any hard water. Wipe down the detergent bins, and wipe the inside wash tub as well. Be sure to pull back the rubber seal inside the door to clean this area as well. This is where a lot of lint and hair can hide, and mold can grow. Use white vinegar in this area as well, or you can also use bleach to get rid of mold. 

Other Tips

• Never leave clothes to sit inside the washer. If you leave clothing inside the machine too long, they will get a mildew smell that can be hard to get rid of.
• Wash on the hottest cycle possible to get rid of mildew smells from towels, and wash them using a 1/2 cup of white vinegar. You can wash your clothing with vinegar as well, but they may smell like vinegar.
• Clean out the trap inside your machine. Front loading machines have a trap inside that will collect lint and anything else that may have fallen out of pockets during the wash. This trap will need to be cleaned out. Check your owner's manual for instructions on how to clean out this trap.

Mold and mildew can grow easily in a front loading washer, leaving your clothing to smell. Be sure to clean up your machine properly and prevent this from happening. For help cleaning up your machine, or to clean the inside trap, contact a professional repair service like Affordable Appliance Repair for help.