Tip & How-To about Miscellaneous

Stopping mould on doors of Front Load washing Machines

This is what I do to prevent the growth of mould around the inside door of Front Load washing machines and around the detergent dispensing tray.
Step 1 :- remove excess mould off the inside door and surrounds ( I used a kitchen top cream cleanser - Jiff).
Step 2 :- adding 3 - 5 ml's of Dettol into the fabric softener dispensing tray on every 3rd wash, you my need to juggle the frequency to get the desired result. Yes the cloths will have a slight smell of Dettol when they are wet but this will be almost indistinguishable when they are dry!
Note:- The Dettol also acts to prevent the remnants of the water left in the machine (that do not get pumped out) from becoming a little smelly - if the gaps between washing become extended i.e. - going away on holidays. I believe it would also help to sterilise items like hankies during the cold winter months. Cheers :-)

Posted by on

Miscellaneous Logo

Related Topics:

Related Questions:

0helpful
2answers

WHY IS THERE A BUILD UP OF SLIME / MOULD ON DOOR SEAL. HAVE TO KEEP SCUBBING OFF.

How to Remove Mold and Mildew from Front Load Washing Machines Today...

How to Remove Mold and Mildew from Front-Load Washing Machines

moldy-smell-washing-machine-1.jpg Front-load washing machines are notorious for collecting mold.
I've had my front-loading washing machine for about four years, and it has some great advantages - it's quiet, fast, uses less water and detergent, and gently tumbles (rather than yanking) my clothes. In general, I've been so pleased with it that I was shocked one day when I opened the door and was nearly knocked unconscious by a fetid blast of moldy-smelling air!
How could a machine that's so wonderful, suddenly turn so horribly smelly?
moldy-smell-washing-machine-2.jpg
Gaskets hold moisture.
The answer is in the way the machine is designed. Front-loading washing machines have watertight, airtight doors that seal with a rubber gasket. That rubber seal traps moisture in the machine and also provides the perfect nooks and crannies for mold and mildew to grow.
Top-loading washing machines, on the other hand, have a rather loose fitting metal door that easily allows the tank to dry out between loads.
The problem isn't helped by our laundry preferences. High sudsing detergents and liquid fabric softeners leave behind residues and films that invite mold growth. Cold-water cycles and mild, eco-friendly detergents don't quite blast away residues like their environmentally-unfriendly counterparts.
So, to keep mold at bay, front-load washers need just a bit more maintenance than top-loading machines.

How to Get Rid of Mold and Smells in Top-Load Washers

If you've got a stinky front-load washing machine, here's how to get it smelling fresh again:
    moldy-smell-washing-machine-3.jpg Cleaning gasket on washer.
  • Clean Gasket: Use a rag or towel to clean the rubber door gasket on a front-loading washer with either hot soapy water or a spritz of mildew cleaner. Make sure to wipe underneath and around it as well. Be prepared for some slime and gunk, and possibly a stray sock or two!
  • Clean Dispensers: Remove the detergent dispensers and give them a good scrubbing. If they don't come out, clean them as best you can, using a bottle or pipe cleaner to reach back into the crevices.
  • Run Cleaning Cycle: Next, run an empty wash cycle on the longest, hottest water setting (or a tub-cleaning cycle, if you have it). Add one of the following directly to the wash tub:
    • 1 cup of bleach.
    • 1 cup of baking soda.
    • 1/2 cup of powdered enzymatic dishwasher detergent (such asCascade Complete).
    • A commercial residue-busting washer cleaner (such as Affresh orSmelly Washer).
    moldy-smell-washing-machine-4.jpg Commercial cleaning pellets.
  • Repeat Cleaning Cycle: If the problem persists, repeat the cleaning cycle and consider trying a different additive. It might take several cycles to get the smell out.
  • Professional Help: If you've tried every way to clean your front-load washer and it still smells, you may have mold growing back behind the drum, or possibly a clogged drain or filter. A qualified repair person can dismantle the machine and clean it for you, or you can unplug the machine and carefully explore and clean it yourself.

Preventative Maintenance

Once your machine is clean, follow these tips to keep it that way:
    moldy-smell-washing-machine-5.jpg Allow washer tub to dry.
  • Air It Out: If possible, leave the door of the front-load washer cracked open to allow it to dry thoroughly between cycles. However, you shouldn't do this if you have children or pets who could be tempted to climb (and possibly become trapped) inside the machine.
  • Remove Loads Promptly: Be sure to remove wet clothes as soon as the cycle is finished. Set your washer to beep when it's done, so you don't forget.
  • Choose Detergent Wisely: Choose low-sudsing detergents specifically made for high-efficiency (HE) machines. When possible, choose powder over liquid; liquid detergents are usually higher in suds.
  • moldy-smell-washing-machine-6.jpg Clean washer dispensers.
  • Use Less Detergent: Read the labels and use no more than the amount recommended for each load. Experiment with using less detergent, until you find the minimum amount necessary (sometimes just a spoonful) to get your clothes clean.
  • Avoid Fabric Softener: Liquid fabric softeners leave residue that contributes to mold in front-load washers. Instead, use dryer sheets or dryer balls to soften your clothes.
  • Dry Gaskets: Use an old towel to wipe around and underneath the door gaskets and the inside of the door on front-loading washers. Ideally, you should so this after every cycle, but at the very least it needs a periodic wipe down to remove any water or mildew trapped in the folds.
  • Use Bleach: About once a month, run a hot water bleach cycle. I usually take the opportunity to throw in work towels, fabric shower curtains, and muddy gardening clothes, along with that nasty gasket-cleaning towel.
moldy-smell-washing-machine-7.jpg
Good Luck
0helpful
1answer

Model WF7700N6W1 - front loader - smell? Rubber seal inside door peels back a bit to reveal buildup of gunk between seal and inside frame? retaining water here?

Ok, nothing to worry about. You have bacteria growing in your machine. Clean out the slime from the door seal using a soft cloth and soapy water. DON'T use any harsh chemicals such as bleach !
Remove your detergent drawer (if possible) and clean it thoroughly - a dishwasher will do this very well. Disconnect your machine from the power supply and clean thoroughly inside the space where the dispenser drawer was, using a toothbrush or larger nylon brush and a soft, soapy cloth.
Using liquid detergents all the time can cause a build up of residue over time, which gives the bacteria and mould somewhere to grow. So try a hot wash cycle (without a load) using a powder detergent intended for whites. Washing powders contain brighteners and chemicals which are hostile to mould and bacteria.
Finally, leave your dispenser drawer and loading door open every night to allow fresh air to circulate through the entire machine. This will reduce the number of cleaning occasions needed.
0helpful
2answers

I have front loader washing machine and the rubber has got mould and having difficulty in removing the black mould

  • Saturate an old cloth with white vinegar. Alternatively, you might use petroleum jelly on the cloth to remove the mold.Pull the gasket out gently with your hands to reveal the mold and mildew buildup inside the folds of the gasket.Wipe the mold away from the gasket with the cloth. Continue working to wipe away all mold from the folds of the rubber gasket.Dry the folds of the gasket with a dry cloth when you finish removing the mold.Repeat this procedure at least once per month to prevent mold and mildew from forming. If you notice mold occurring more frequently, clean it off when you see it.


  • Tips for Preventing Mold & Smelly Problems:
    • Always leave the door and dispenser unit slightly ajar after the laundry is done. Front-load washers and the detergent/softener dispenser drawer must dry out.
    • Never leave a wet washload in the washer overnight; remove it when the washing cycle is complete and leave the door open.
    • After a load is done, always rotate the drum with your hand to see and remove all items. Some could be sticking to top or sides of the washer drum.
    • Use softener sheets in the dryer instead of liquid softeners in the washer.
    • Liquid detergents may leave less residue than powdered formulas which may not dissolve properly.
    • Use less than the recommended detergent level for your load. Too much detergent can cause a residue build up. Experiment until you find a minimum measurement that delivers a clean wash. This is also a money saver.
    • Occasionally wash some loads such as whites, linen and towels in warm or hot water to help flush out wash residue.
    • Always clean your washer as per your product manual. High efficiency front-load models have a cleaning cycle and it's imperative that you periodically run this cycle as directed.
    • Check the gasket just inside the door opening and remove any visible debris. You can also wipe it to speed the drying process.
    • Always use HE detergents with high efficiency front-load washers. Specially marked HE laundry detergent is low sudsing and is recommended for these low-water washers.
    • If this advice was helpful a vote with the thumbs up would be appreciated. Thanks.
    0helpful
    2answers

    Mold in Washer Dispenser Drawer

    The washing machine drawer keeps building up mould,this video will show you how to keep your soap draw clear and how to service the parts

    Please remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel for all appliance tutorials
    a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your
    FREE question.
    0helpful
    2answers

    Front Load Washing Machine

    Filling laundry detergent and/or additive 
    dispensers 
    Dispenser I: (RIGHT SIDE)
    Detergent for soaking agent. 
    Dispenser II: (LEFT SIDE)
    Detergent for wash, stain remover. 
    Dispenser 2: (MIDDLE)
    Cleaning product, e.g. fabric softener, fabric 
    conditioner (do not fill above the lower edge of the 
    insert 1). 

    Not finding what you are looking for?

    184 views

    Ask a Question

    Usually answered in minutes!

    Top Miscellaneous Experts

    H Smith

    Level 1 Expert

    4 Answers

    Robert

    Level 2 Expert

    64 Answers

    vince

    Level 3 Expert

    2530 Answers

    Are you a Miscellaneous Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

    Answer questions

    Loading...