Your laundry should smell fresh, not like old, wet sneakers. If that’s what you smell when you open your washer lid, there could be mold growing inside. Don’t panic. It may seem impossible to fix in the sticky, humid summer months, but it’s a relatively easy problem to solve. Mold can thrive in warm temperatures, but it’s easy to get rid of. It takes a little effort, and you’ll need to remember to air out your washer between cycles. But with persistence, your washer will soon smell great again.
We’ll show you how to kill bacteria in your washing machine and get rid of those horrible smells. For more cleaning advice, check out How to Remove Pet Stains from Carpets, How to Remove Makeup Stains from Bedding, and How to Clean a Mattress.
The best way to get rid of bad smells in washing machine
If you have mold in your washing machine, here’s how to get rid of it. Doing this every month will help prevent mold from growing.
OnePut on your gloves and pick up an old, useless towel.
2. A solution of bleach and hot water or Vinegar and hot water. (Do not mix bleach and vinegar. — produces toxic chlorine gas.)
three. Soak a washcloth in the mixture and begin scrubbing away any visible mold. Clean around the detergent dispenser and gasket.
4. Front loading machines have a gasket around the door. If you have a front loader, clean and dry it thoroughly, including all folded parts. Be careful not to tear the gasket.
5. Run a wash cycle on the hottest setting your washer offers and add a cup of bleach or vinegar. If you use bleach, pour it into the bleach compartment. If you use vinegar, pour it into the detergent compartment.
If your machine has a self-cleaning cycle, you can use that setting. This will kill any hidden mold that you may have missed.
6. Use another old towel to wipe away all the moisture from the washer. This includes the drum, dispenser, seals, and any other areas you can reach.
7Leave the washer door open to let air flow and dry any loose items.
Keep the lid open when you are not washing clothes.
Mold grows in dark, damp places, and your washing machine is one of those places right after you take your clothes out. Whether it’s a top-loader or front-loader, leaving the lid closed traps moisture, which can lead to bacteria buildup and odors.
Leaving the washing machine door open will help with ventilation and also prevent mold growth.
Should you wash your clothes by hand? Here’s how to do it right.
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Take off wet clothes immediately.
Damp clothes are another breeding ground for mold. When you load your laundry, make sure you get home and take your clothes out as soon as the timer goes off. This will not only prevent mold from growing in your washing machine, but also prevent mold from growing on your clean clothes, bedding, and towels.
Dry damp sealants and other parts after each use.
After using your washing machine for a full day, clean any damp areas of your washing machine. This includes the lid, drum, door, rubber gasket, and detergent dispenser (if your detergent dispenser has this feature).
Keep an old towel handy for this.
Dry the seal with the rest of the washer to prevent moisture from sticking around and mold contamination. ~ can This happens in washing machines, but it is especially common in high efficiency (HE) front-loading washers. That is why you should regularly clean and dry the gaskets and seals around the door. The gaskets prevent water from leaking around the door and do a good job of blocking moisture that can cause mold to grow.
Additionally, pet hair, crumpled paper, or other foreign materials should be removed from the machine immediately.
If you have a high-efficiency (HE) washing machine, use powder detergent made for HE washing machines.
If you have a high efficiency washing machine
Liquid detergents can leave residue in your washing machine and are a food source for mold. So if you have a high-efficiency washing machine, the first thing you should do to control mold is to use a laundry detergent specifically made for this type of washing machine. This will produce less foam. ( that (written on the bottle)
A better option is to avoid liquid detergent altogether and switch to powder or pod detergent. Whichever you choose, use only as much as you need to wash your clothes. Using too much can leave odors and residues on your clothes.
Now that you’ve cleaned your washing machine, it’s time to move on to the rest of your home. Start with the bathroom. Here’s a simple one-hour hack. Remove dust from shower head and How to clear a toilet clog without a plunger.
