Is there mold growing inside your washing machine? If your clothes smell worse coming out of the washer than when they went in, the answer is probably yes. You’ll have to give your machine a thorough cleaning, and that includes checking all the crevices for mold, mildew and bacteria.
The best way to kill mold and bacteria in your washer
If you’ve got mold in your washer, here’s how to get rid of it. Doing this monthly will help prevent mold growth.
Remove wet clothes right away
Damp clothes are another breeding ground for mold. If you’re throwing a load of laundry in, make sure you’ll be home to remove the clothes right when the timer goes off Not only does this prevent mold from growing in your washer, but it keeps mildew out of your clean clothing, bedding and towels.
Dry damp seals and other parts after each use
After you’re finished using your washing machine for the day, make sure to wipe down any part of the washer that’s damp. This includes the lid, drum, door, rubber gaskets and detergent dispenser (if your machine has that feature). Keep an old towel on hand for this purpose.
Make sure to dry the seals along with the rest of your washer to prevent moisture from sticking around. And while mold contamination can happen in any washer, it’s especially common in high-efficiency (HE) front-loading washers. That’s why you should regularly wash the gaskets and seals around the door and keep them dry. The gaskets make sure water doesn’t leak out around the door and also do a good job of sealing in the moisture that can help mold grow. You should also remove pet hair, crumpled paper or any other detritus from the machine right away.
