Mold in Washing Machine? Here’s What You Can Do

If your front loader smells musty after running a laundry cycle, you might want to check for mold in the washing machine. That’s because dirty socks and stinky gym clothes aren’t the only things producing that foul smell in the laundry room.

Our mold removal company in Manhattan strongly advises homeowners to become more vigilant and attentive when they put their clothes for a wash. Otherwise, their moldy front loaders might contaminate clothes and surrounding surfaces.

Here’s what you should know about moldy machines and ways to disinfect them:

Mold in the Washing Machine: How Did It Get There?

Most front loaders are efficient, environmentally safe, and unexpected breeding grounds for mold.

The main causes of mold in washing machines include:

• Moist and humid conditions
• Residue build-up from detergents and fabric conditioners
• Poor ventilation
• Faulty ducts and vents
• Storm damage in the laundry area

These devices attract fungal growth because of the airtight rubber gaskets sealing machine doors. Its presence creates damp pockets and high humidity levels. Cold laundry cycles cannot counter mold growth because it doesn’t harm it. Due to these favorable conditions, most mold spores multiply until you (or professionals) intervene.

Luckily, you can avoid this moldy problem with frequent maintenance and professional servicing.

Mold Removal Techniques: DIY Hacks FTW 

A three-step cleaning process can clear away mold from washing machines.

Here’s what you should do:

Step One: Sanitize the Rubber Gasket

Make a cleaning solution with hot water and soap or mildew remover. Dab a microfiber cloth into it and then clean off the moldy gasket. Rinse it with clean water before setting it aside to dry. Then reattach it to your washing machine door.

Step Two: Eliminate Soapy Residue

Most cleaning solutions and fabric softeners leave residual traces in the dispenser after the wash. These solutions have organic components that mold can feed on when it grows inside the machine.  Cutting off its food supply can reduce mold growth.

Therefore, you should remove the dispensers and clean them with hot water to wash off soapy substances. Alternatively, you can use a microfiber cloth and bottle brush to clean off fixed dispensers.

Always rinse these compartments twice or thrice to eliminate any form of buildup.

Step Three: Clean Your Washing Machine with Baking Soda

Many modern washing machines have a cleaning cycle or sanitization setting that lets you run a cycle without a load. You should create a baking soda cleaning mixture with everyday supplies to remove all signs of mold.

Homemade baking soda solution to clean mold includes:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1 cup of bleach
• ½ a cup of laundry/dishwasher detergent

Fill your front-loading washing machine with hot water, and then add this anti-mold mixture. Run a few empty cycles to deodorize and sanitize your moldy machine.

What Next?

If the problem persists, you should call a mold removal company for professional consultation. They can eliminate the problem more efficiently and fix any structural damage caused by the fungal growth. The team at 911 Restoration of Manhattan serves you well with its IICRC-certified training in mold remediation service and years of expertise.

We use high-grade air movers and dehumidifiers to improve air quality in your laundry room. These are followed by industry-approved practices to remove germs, foul odors, and other problems associated with moldy machines.

Besides fixing your front loaders, we examine surfaces and structural elements for mold presence. These diagnostic tests ensure that the laundry area is free from potential mold damage and the problem isn’t widespread. If the mold test comes out positive, we do our best to repair and reconstruct the target site to eliminate the threat.

Mold Prevention Practices: How to Avoid It?

Mold damage does more than disrupt washing cycles. Its presence can be a health hazard too. It can lead to breathing difficulties and flu-like symptoms. You can prevent this by taking steps to minimize mold growth.

Here are some tips you can use:

• Keep the washing machine door open after every wash to promote adequate ventilation
• Avoid keeping wet clothes and washed items in the machine for extended periods
• Monitoring the number of cleaning solutions used and swapping liquid fabric conditioners for reusable balls
• Running baking soda and bleach cycles regularly
• Cleaning rubber gaskets and soap dispensers twice a month

It might sound like a lot at the moment. Yet, these routine practices can protect your washing machines from costly mold-related disruptions and repairs.

Parting Words

Mold in washing machines can be a recurring problem if you’re not careful. Take safety measures by planning regular inspections and sanitization cycles to eliminate fungal growth. You also swap your front loader with a top-loading machine to reduce risks. Even then, frequent maintenance and professional assistance become crucial for keeping mold away from the laundry room.

If you notice visible signs of mold damage on the surfaces of your laundry room, call a mold removal company. With our assistance, you can get rid of the mold clusters faster and better than any DIY trick.

Are you looking for a local mold remediation service expert? Contact 911 Restoration of Manhattan today for assistance.