Your washing machine is the last place you might expect to find bad smells and mold. After all, its whole job is to use fresh-smelling detergents to keep clothes clean and stain-free. But if you've ever pulled back the gasket, there's a good chance you'll have discovered washing machine mold before. And once it's taken hold, it can be hard to remove for good.
Luckily, the daily steps you need to follow to keep your washing machine free of mold and mildew are painless, and free!
"With a little routine maintenance," says James Clarkson, professional plumber for Plumbworld, "households can avoid unpleasant odors — and keep clothes smelling fresh after every wash."
Why bacteria loves your washing machine
Bacteria thrives in damp and warm spaces, so while you're running cleaning detergent through it multuple times a week, your washing machine provides a welcoming environment when not in use.
"When moisture and detergent residue get trapped in the folds of the seal or in the corners of the drawer, mould can grow quickly," a Plumbworld spokesperson explains.
"The smell usually comes from trapped detergent residue, fabric softener, and lint mixing with warm, damp conditions."
James Clarkson, Professional Plumber
And if it smells?
"The smell usually comes from trapped detergent residue, fabric softener, and lint mixing with warm, damp conditions," Clarkson adds.
"This creates the perfect breeding ground for mould and bacteria. Once that builds up behind the drum or in the rubber seal, the machine can quickly start smelling."
How to stop the mold
You probably know how to clean a washing machine, but prevention is just as important. Thankfully, there are some simple steps you can follow that will keep mold at bay.
1. Avoid excess detergent
You may have a 'more is more' approach to detergent. However, when I switched to a washing machine with detergent dispensers, I found that I didn't need to buy detergent as frequently as I once did. In other words, I'd been over-dosing my laundry for years.
"Using too much detergent creates more residue, not cleaner clothes," say the experts from Plumbworld. So avoid using an excess, as this can lead to buildup on clothing, and inside your machine.
2. Remove your laundry promptly
I always throw on a wash before I leave the house for a day in the office, but according to experts from Plumbworld, I could be making a mistake. By the time I get home, my laundry has been sitting in a warm, damp environment for hours, and that creates the ideal environment for it to start to smell, and for bacteria to breed.
And if you do happen to leave your laundry sitting for too long?
"A quick wipe with a cloth soaked in hot soapy water or diluted vinegar can prevent that musty smell from coming back."
3. Leave the door ajar
If you have a stinky washing machine, the last thing you might want to do is leave the door open to allow the odors to make their way into your home. But this could actually prevent the root cause of the smell, removing the humidity inside your washing machine and allowing the interior of the seal and drum to dry out.
When you leave the door ajar, even for a few hours after use, you'll find that smells slowly dissipate and stop coming back.
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