Ridding Washing Machine of Mold

Why your washing machine smells, and how to clean it

When we think of washing machines, we think of clean, fresh-smelling clothes. Laundry is supposed to have a comforting aroma—one that’s so well-loved that there are even colognes designed to mimic its scent.

But what do you do when your front-load washer, well... stinks?

Before you resign yourself to a musty, mildewy, sour-scented existence, consider this: Your washer probably isn’t defective—it just needs some TLC. A few simple steps could help eliminate that stench forever.

That’s right, my friends: It’s all smooth, fresh-smelling sailing from here on out. Grab your hampers, keep your heads high, and scrub stinky clothes from your life for good.

Why your front-loader stinks

I took an in-depth look at the relative performance of front- and top-load washers, and found that front-loaders are superior in virtually every way. That came as no surprise, since front-loaders are designed not only to be more efficient, but also to be gentler on clothes while cleaning them better.

But it's that efficiency part that can cause some headaches when it comes to smell. See, high-efficiency front-loaders use a lot less water than their top-load counterparts, since they fill just the bottom of the wash tub with water. Since the drum rotates on a horizontal axis, your clothes tumble through the water, eliminating the need to fill the tub up all the way.

That's all fine and dandy if you use high-efficiency detergents, but when you douse your laundry with the wrong kinds of soap and softeners, the smaller amount of water can’t fully rinse them away. The drum ends up getting coated with a layer of soap scum, which is itself peppered with debris and dirt from your clothing. In the heat and damp of your washer, this scum makes a happy home for mildew, bacteria, and mold.

The stinky situation is compounded by the fact that front-load washers use a rubber door gasket to keep water from leaking out. Dirt, soap, and bits of fabric can get trapped under the gasket, creating yet another breeding ground for nasty smells.

How to get rid of that smell

1. Bring out the baking soda.

Your first inclination may be to reach for the bleach, but I prefer to use something a little gentler. I suggest mixing 1/4 cup of baking soda with an equivalent amount of water. Add this solution to your machine’s detergent container.

2. Bring out the vinegar.

Pour two cups of white vinegar into the drum, then run a normal cycle at high heat—without any clothes, of course.

The baking soda and vinegar should break up any residue stuck to your drum and kill any mold that might be present. They’ll also help remove any foul odors.

3. Scrub away any remaining grime.

If stubborn spots remain, attack them with the rough side of a kitchen sponge and a mixture of one part white vinegar, one part water. Ta-dah, good as new!

You can repeat this cleaning method once a month for maintenance if you’d like, or try some other odor prevention techniques.

How to keep your front-loader fresh

Your washer is finally free of nasty odors, and you want to keep it that way. But how?

If you own a front-loader, you should always use detergents made for high-efficiency machines. Normal detergents simply produce more suds than your front-loader can handle; less suds means less scum for stinky lifeforms to cling to. Liquid fabric softener is also off-limits for front-loading washing machines, so do yourself a favor and ditch it.

Once you’ve got the soap situation under control, it’s time to make sure the drum doesn’t stay damp for long periods of time. Always remove your laundry promptly after the cycle ends, and be sure to leave the door open when it’s not in use, so the moisture can escape.

You can also run a fan in the room where your washer lives to improve airflow, and consider investing in a dehumidifier. Remember: You don't want bacteria or mold to feel at home here, and nothing invites bad smells quite like wet, stagnant heat.

3. Clean the gasket.

Even with the correct detergent and anti-humidity efforts, there's no guarantee your washer drum won't develop some mold-friendly buildup. The rubber seal around the doors is especially problematic, so you should regularly remove any debris you see trapped in the gasket and wipe it down with a cleaning solution made of one part white vinegar and one part water.

Finally, be sure to dispose of any lint that may have accumulated in your machine’s drain trap filter. Once a week should do the trick.

Bleach is the only cure for mold

Wash the rubber gasket with bleach water, it will help with the staining. Use a toothbrush, Q-tips, even a rag over a table knife to get into the folds and crevices. Once that is done, spray it with vinegar on every inch of the gasket, in the folds, everywhere. This will kill the spores of the mold/mildew that is in there right now. Every once in a while, run over the whole gasket with a rag or something that is dampened with vinegar, even in the folds and it will help it stay away. Let it dry on its own to work for as long as possible. I hope this helps you, Bri!

I have had the same problem... and used a bleach based cleaner to get rid of the mold itself (rinse well as bleach is not good for rubber).... the gasket is stained... but there is no more mold..... to keep it away..... after you are finished washing for the day.... LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN until the inside of the machine is totally dry.... RETRAIN husband and kids .. to do the same... I always leave a small folded towel in the top of the door... so that it stays open about an inch so the interior dries out and stays that way

Wipe gaskets with vinegar. Dry thoroughly. Open soap compartment after washing, so it dries completely. Keep door to washer open by wedging a towel at the top section of the door, so it sits open at least 12 " or more. Run a fan, open basement window as weather permits, run a dehumidifier. Wipe gaskets dry each time you do laundry, particularly in the crevices.