Front load washing machine-mold

[Disney Ontario]

Of course the warranty is long past and now we have mold along the rubber part arount the drum.Has anyone else had this problem and what did yous do?

 

[JessicaR]

http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/08/mold-on-washers.html

Mold can be a problem for some front-loading washers

 

[quentina]

Keep the door open for a little while it is wet. Also, tide just put out the cleaner for the HE washers. I just bought it today however; didn't try it yet.

 

[mickeyboat]

We lost some little socks under the seal one time and it took me a long time to figure out what the smell was. Since then I religiously check the seal, and leave the door open the crack - and haven't had any problems with mold or smell.

 

[Pamlur]

Try wiping the seal really well with something like Clorox wipes, and always leave the door partly open.

 

[walden]

I really love my front loader, but . . .

I wipe out the gasket after every load (I read consumer report before buying it) and I leave the door open when not in use.

No mold problem here. But it is, apparently, an issue with front loaders if you don't do the above.

 

[MEBT315]

Leave the door open, bleach cycle, wash with warm water, wash with borax added with the load....


all help

 

[worm761]

We use Affresh to clean the washer. But we also always leave the door open so the barrel dries out and we don't get mold. I have family that works in factories making these things. This is what they told me to do and they all also have them. I figure they know best.

 

[snowywhite89]

We always leave out door open when the washer is not being used. We have never had a mold problem.

I do need to check for my lost no show socks under the gasket. Once in a while one gets stuck under the gasket.

 

[trip]

We use Affresh to clean the washer. But we also always leave the door open so the barrel dries out and we don't get mold. I have family that works in factories making these things. This is what they told me to do and they all also have them. I figure they know best.

I use Affresh also. The product that Tide makes smells horrible!

 

[rie'smom]

You have to use a detergent made for HE (front loaders). I had the problem of my laundry smelling like mold. once I switched to an HE detergent, the problem disappeared.

 

[MickeyBA]

I just got mine delivered yesterday. So far I LOVE it! The delivery guy told me to leave the door open a crack, but that the newer ones have less problem because they are now vented from the back. Apparently some of the older ones weren't and they have more of a problem with the mold.

 

[sweetdana]

I called service one time.

.. They said wash the washer more and only use powdered soap. Liquid has more oils, and leaves residues with long term use. Switched to powder 6 months ago, much better.

 

[dbogen]

I called service one time.

.. They said wash the washer more and only use powdered soap. Liquid has more oils, and leaves residues with long term use. Switched to powder 6 months ago, much better.

Where to you add the powder? In the drum before the choths or in the dispencer drawer on the front? I was thinking of trying the powder, just haven't known anyone who actually did.

 

[MEBT315]

Yep just add it to the drum. Similarly I bought a fabric softener ball thing by Downey, so that I don't have to put the fabric softener in the drawer either.

Make sure you clean out the seal too...stuff gets in ours like wrappers, papers, coins, nylons etc and will make it smell too (not sure if this is what people were talking about before).

 

[Luv2Roam]

Once a week, after washing dog beds, I run a quick cycle through with just bleach and water to clean it. If I do not do that, regardless of what I wash, it can get a funky smell.

 

[ameraumi]

Like the others have said, wipe down the seal and leave the door cracked or opened when you are not using it.

Also make sure to do a clean cycle every month (or more often if you get the funky smell). I use the machine cleaner by Lemi-shine and like it much better than Affresh or the Tide one:

 

[sweetdana]

On mine there is a "switch" that you can use to put in powder or liquid in the same spot, you have to kind-a flip this thing in it. It was evident when I looked for it.. not noticable when I did not.

Look where you put your liquid in.