The Best Ways To Prevent Mold And Mildew From Building Up Your Washer

You and your family likely rely heavily on your washing machine to keep your clothes and linens fresh. While your humble appliance thanklessly washes your dirty items day in and day out, one day the inevitable will occur and you'll see your worst nightmare: mold. Since washing machines are constantly exposed to moisture, the presence of mold and mildew is guaranteed to happen periodically. Fortunately, there are a number of steps that you can take to slow the growth of bacteria in the future.

If prevention is your desired path forward, there are practices that you can employ to slow down mold growth. One is turning to pre-made cleaning solutions that can wash out your appliance, or you can try your hand at household remedies to remove harmful bacteria. If you need something a little harder hitting, you can always turn to specific tools that will help access difficult-to-clean spots. Finally, if you've exhausted all your options and are still having a difficult time preventing mold, you might want to reach out to a professional to help tackle the issue.

When it comes to battling mold, one of the best approaches is to simply keep it from growing in the first place. As you know, mold and mildew thrive in environments where ventilation is poor and moisture is plentiful, so the modern washing machine all but guarantees that bacteria will grow. After a cycle has run, be sure to remove your clothes right away to either hang dry or transfer them to the dryer. It can be tempting to leave them for a few hours (or even overnight) when there are other tasks at hand, but this habit can be bad for your clothes and the machine's cleanliness, too, leading to increased bacteria populations. 

Following a wash cycle, leave the washing machine open and dry off any water droplets you see around the drum or on the seal. If you can reduce the amount of water present and increase ventilation, you'll slow the growth of mold. Another poor habit that can lead to mold and mildew in your washing machine is using your appliance as a hamper. Damp and wet clothing items that are allowed to sit in the washing machine for hours before a washing cycle can lead to mildew over time. Instead, it is recommended to use an actual laundry hamper for dirty items, and to let damp items dry out before putting them in the washing machine — unless you're running a cycle immediately. Now is also a good time to remind you to wipe out your detergent dispenser drawers regularly, as these can also harbor moisture.

Even with your best attempts at keeping your washing machine free from mildew and potential bacteria growth, it is inevitable that odors and mold will come with time. In order to counteract this outcome, many appliance brands recommend regularly using a washing machine cleaning product, such as Affresh cleaning tablets from Amazon for $11.98. These products work with hot water to clean the inside of your washing machine and remove the bacteria responsible for causing your clothes and your appliance to smell musty. Frequency of these cleaning tablets will depend on how often you use your washer, but monthly deep cleans via this method are recommended. In addition to keeping your washing machine clean, washing machine tablets can improve the freshness of your clothes and extend the life and performance of your washing machine.

You can also test out another highly reviewed product, such as the Mighty Clean Washing Machine Cleaner from Amazon, which offers a year's supply for $16.99. Before selecting and using any washing machine cleaner, make sure to check that it is compatible with your appliance (HE appropriate, for example), as well as with your home systems if you are on septic.

While many homeowners will be happy to use a pre-made cleaner, they are an expense that might not be sustainable for some. Fortunately, you can turn to some simple household ingredients to freshen up your mildewy washing machine. Depending on whether there is already mold in the washer or not, you'll want to determine how hard-hitting your approach will be. Visible mold spores or a strong smell of mildew will best be fought with bleach. Be sure to clean your laundry room of any items that might be stained by the cleaner and wear gloves to protect your skin, then use a sponge or old cloth to apply bleach to the problem areas that will not be hit with a wash cycle. You can then follow the spot cleaning with a bleach cycle, pouring bleach in the appropriate dispenser and running a hot cycle. When using bleach to clean your machine, be fastidious about removing every last bit of the substance, or you may risk ruining the next load of laundry to go in the washer.

If you'd rather steer clear of bleach, you can just as easily use non-staining substances, such as white distilled vinegar and baking soda, which are known for their cleansing powers. The best way to clean your washing machine with this method is to select the highest level and hottest water for the cycle, then add 2 cups of vinegar into the detergent compartment, along with ⅓ cup of baking soda into the drum itself. The cycle will run as usual but should help to eliminate the growth of bacteria that would otherwise lead to mold.

Washing machines can have lots of nooks and crannies that are difficult to reach into. If you find yourself struggling to clean in and around the seal or in the cracks around the drum, you might need to consider purchasing tools that are designed to go in those tight spaces. While not necessarily designed for use in a washing machine, the OXO Good Grips Deep Clean Brush from Amazon for $8.99 is ideal for many machines. It comes with two brushes, one larger and one smaller, that can help you scrub in between tricky areas. The brushes also have a nifty wiper blade at the opposite end, making it easier to lift grime. These highly reviewed brushes are well-loved for all sorts of cleaning challenges, making them perfect for the washing machine. "I used them to clean the outside and inside of the front-loading washing machine and dryer I inherited with my new house. Made it a snap. The machines have lots of little ridges and grooves that collect dirt and these brushes just lifted it right out," one reviewer wrote.

If you're hoping for something that requires a little less elbow grease, you can consider an electric spinning cleaner, like the Electric Spin Scrubber from Amazon for $56. It comes with a number of brushes and detailing attachments, which make it ideal for some serious deep cleaning of grimy and mildewy portions of your washing machine.

While you are likely able to stay on top of your washing machine's cleanliness yourself, there are rare instances which may call for reinforcements. Perhaps you recently moved into a house and the included washing machine is filthy, or you're considering purchasing a used appliance online and want to guarantee its cleanliness before using it for your laundry. No matter the case, there are professionals who specialize in deep cleaning your washer so that you don't have to worry about it.

Companies offering appliance cleaning services (as well as the price for the cleaning) will vary depending on your location, but a quick internet search should yield reputable options nearby. If your appliance is really dirty, a qualified technician should be able to dissemble the machine enough to clean all the components that you cannot reach on your own. While you likely don't have to pursue this route often, if the formerly suggested methods of cleaning are still not leaving your appliance smelling fresh, it might be time to reach out for a professional opinion. Remembering to help maintain your washing machine's hygiene may seem like a hassle, but it is well worth the effort and can lead to a healthier and more enjoyable home.