How do I clean mold from front load detergent dispenser?

Cindy
by Cindy

I have a front loader it is about 5 years old. I know about leaving the door open to prevent mold and musty smell and the cleaners you can use. My question is what do use in the detergent dispenser drawer to clean the mold out of it, more on top of drawer. I have stuck my hand in as far as I can and cleaned out a lot now we leave the drawer open as well but the mold is still there that I can't reach any suggestions on cleaning this as the machine cleaners tell you to not use in the drawer and regular detergent and bleach use just don't cut it. Any Suggestions


  11 answers
  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jul 05, 2020

    Try vinegar in the dispenser.

    • See 1 previous
    • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Jul 06, 2020

      My dispensor darins completely when we do a load. Maybe your washer isn't sitting level and stuff that stays inside is causing the mold.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 05, 2020

    Hi Cindy,

    I use Calgon in my machine about twice a month. I pop a tablet in with the wash powder.

    Don't put too much wash powder in the machine as it only takes what it needs and the rest gets left and builds up if you are not careful. To physically clean the powder tray out, use an old toothbrush and some toothpaste! Hope that helps.

  • Mine comes out for cleaning. Check your owner's manual.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Jul 05, 2020

    Yes, most detergent dispensers in front loading machines do come out for thorough cleaning. They either snap out with a little hidden lever, or lift out with a combination of pushing and sliding.

    Once removed, you can thoroughly clean it, and the area where it fits into the machine, with a a toothbrush.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 05, 2020

    White vinegar. Vinegar kills mold spores.

  • Deb K Deb K on Jul 05, 2020

    Hi Cindy, you can carefully remove the dispenser, and clean it in vinegar, each washer has it's own method for removing, but you can google that, here is the video for how to remove the one on Samsung washers

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw7DWfvEdMc

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Jul 05, 2020

    The detergent drawer should come out for cleaning! It’s so easy after that. :)

    • See 2 previous
    • Oliva Oliva on Jul 06, 2020

      Hi, Cindy,

      Try using Q-Tips secured to a skewer, or a thin, long brush with a microfiber cloth secured with a rubber band. These should enable you to reach farther into crevices. Note that fabric sorfteners are notorius for leaving a slimy residue in the compartment, as most machines fail to adequately flush all of the fabric softener from the compartment. It's becoming more common to have to remove the drawer and scrub out the compartments with hot water, then air dry before next use. It's easier to use felted wool dryer balls to soften clothing, to avoid this mess!

  • Patty Patty on Jul 05, 2020

    White vinegar. Best organic cleaner around!

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Jul 06, 2020

    Hi! Mine removes by lifting it up and ripping. I had a prior washer that just pulled straight out. If you don't have a manual, check online for your make and model. That way, you can remove it and clean it thoroughly. If you run vinegar through it, it helps, too. Good luck and stay safe!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jul 06, 2020

    White cleaning vinegar will kill the mold spores. After that, use a disinfectant. Odoban would would be my best suggestion.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jul 06, 2020

    Thank You for all your help. Pulled the drawer and cleaned with 409, then filled dispenser with vinegar and ran a hot quick wash through. Then I found an Affresh tablet and ran that through I could see a lot of film in the suds from the affresh tablet. I just hope it isn't like using vinegar on my coffee pots then they leak (Ha Ha) again Thank you for all your suggestions I just need to be more constant with my cleaning of the machine