Washing machines, particularly high-efficiency front-loading versions, can be ideal mold breeding grounds. High temperatures, clothing dirt and bacteria, detergent and fabric softener residue, and a dark, damp place can cause a dirty, moldy washer.
Mold grows underneath the rubber gasket that front-load washers use to seal the door and stop leaks. Mold can grow in any washer, including drainage pipes, detergent and fabric softener dispensers, and washer lint filters. Just because you don’t see, or smell mold doesn’t mean it is not in your washing machine.
Fortunately, removing the mold is straightforward and requires one product: chlorine bleach.
Tools and equipment required
- Cloth made of microfiber.
- Sizeable plastic bucket or sink
- Scrub brush with soft bristles
- Gloves for protection
Materials
bleaching with chlorine
Instructions
Necessary cleaning materials and tools for removing mold from a washing machine.
To avoid accidental bleaching of textiles, always start with an empty washer. You want the washing machine to be empty. It should be empty if your washer has a built-in detergent or softener dispenser.
The washing machine and dispenser drawers
are now cleaned.
Choose the Washer Settings
Use a standard wash cycle for a heavy load to ensure enough water flows through the machine. Adjust the temperature of the water to warm or hot.
Set the water temperature and cycle setting for the washing machine.
Start the washer after adding chlorine bleach.
Depending on the size of the washing drum, pour approximately 1 cup of chlorine bleach into it. You could also put 1/2 cup of liquid chlorine bleach in the detergent compartment of the dispenser drawer and fill the chlorine bleach compartment to the top. Start the washing and let it run through its entire cycle.
WARNING
If you don’t want to use chlorine bleach, use one cup of hydrogen peroxide, an alternative for those who may have allergies to bleach. But don’t mix hydrogen peroxide and chlorine bleach. These chemicals combined will produce dangerous fumes, so be sure there is always proper ventilation. You do not want the fumes in your machine, as this will be another type of cleaning.
Drainage lines with mold can be cleared by running a hot water and bleach cycle through them. Ensure that the water is hot to aid in sterilization and cleaning.
Tip
Commercial washer cleanser supplies are created in tablet, powder, and liquid formulations. If you decide to use one, carefully read the packaging instructions. You will want to use the product adequately to maximize its cleaning ability.
We poured chlorine bleach into the washing machine dispenser.
Clean the Washing Machine Drum and Door
When the cycle ends, dry the washing door and gaskets with a soft, absorbent cloth. These parts need to be cleaned and maintained regularly. Regular maintenance on mechanical parts is best to ensure product longevity.
To clean the inside of a front-load washer
Gently peel aside the flexible door gasket, often where dirt and detergent residue become stuck and mold grows.
Using protective gloves, clean this area with a microfiber cloth or soft-bristled brush dipped in 1/4 cup chlorine bleach and two cups water.
Once the mold is removed, dry the area with a soft towel. Within the washing machine gasket, a gray cloth is drying.
Dispenser System Cleaning
Mold can grow in the dispenser drawers, where detergent and fabric softener can build up. As previously stated, just because you cannot see the mold does not mean it does not exist.
Consult your manual to learn how to clean specific parts of the machine. To remove any remnants of accumulated residue, rinse the drawer inserts with hot tap water. If the pieces have a lot of built-up gunk, put them in a basin or bucket with hot water for 10 minutes—a soft brush on some of the crustier and gunked-up parts. Let the drawers air dry after thoroughly rinsing them.
Wipe the inside of the washer’s drawer with chlorine bleach and water solution on a cloth or soft-bristled brush. Remove any residue from the recess’s upper and lower parts. Using protective gloves helps to prevent getting chemicals on your hands.
After cleaning the drawer and pulling it out, put the bleach and softener inserts back where they belong. To thoroughly flush the system, put the dispenser drawer back in place and run a cycle, such as the pre-wash cycle, without laundry or cleaning products in the drum.
Remove the Lint Filter
The lint filter in most washers needs to be cleaned regularly. Lint that has become trapped can begin to mold and emit an odor. This can lead to future problems with mold and allow it to spread within the machine. Find and remove the lint filter. Remove lint using a soft-bristled brush and mildew with a chlorine bleach/water solution cloth. Some lint filters will not require any specific or unique tools to remove. If you have questions, it is best to consult your manual before starting. Before returning the filter to the washer, thoroughly rinse and air-dry it.
I cleaned the lint filter with a gray cloth and a soft-bristled brush.
Mold Prevention Techniques for Washing Machines
Use only a tiny amount of laundry detergent.
Employ liquid fabric softeners sparingly or not at all. Get rid of soap residue and soften clothes, as soap buildup can create moisture that may lead to additional issues with mold. White vinegar should be used instead of fabric softener in the dispenser. Fabric softener may leave to a buildup of gunk.
Improve air circulation in your laundry room by installing a fan or air conditioner.
Bring in a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels.
Examine your dryer vent to ensure it is not leaking moist air into the laundry area.
Allow increased air circulation by leaving the door of a front-loading washer ajar after each load.
Check that the fan in a front-loading washer is clean and functional so that the vent is not obstructed.
Conduct a cleaning cycle at least weekly, if not monthly.