How do molds form in your washing machine?
Because washing machines are relatively warm and humid appliances, various molds and bacteria easily develop. Nowadays we wash more often at a low temperature, which makes it easier for mold, bacteria and lice to develop in your washing machine.
This is why you should regularly clean your washing machine. This is the only way to remove all the dirt and any bad smell that comes with it. Keeping this up to date will also prevent mold from developing again in your washer.
Tips to remove mold
The tricky thing about mold is that you can’t always see all of the mold sitting there – especially on a washing machine. After reading the tips below, you’ll know exactly how to clean your washing machine to remove all the mold.
1. Cleaning Rubber Parts
Use a damp dishtowel to wipe off the rubbers near the door of the washing machine. Remove all the dirt and any soap residue. Next, it’s helpful to fill a plant sprayer with cleaning vinegar or vinegar solution. Vinegar kills most of the mould spores. Spray the vinegar on and between the rubbers of your washing machine, wipe it clean and let it dry.
2. Clean the soap drawer
The soap drawer often holds a high level of detergent. If it is removable, you can wash it by hand and replace it when done. If it is not removable, clean it with a dishcloth and/or an old toothbrush. Again, you may wish to use cleaning vinegar.
3. Run a boil
Simply run a wash cycle at the highest temperature (90 degrees minimum), with no laundry or detergent. The old fashioned word for this is ‘boil wash’. You may want to add a splash of vinegar or a scoop of baking soda.
4. Check for mildew
Your washing machine should be clean and smell fresh again! But just to be sure, check to see if there is still mold inside after running this wash cycle. Is this the case? Go through step 3 again.
Tips to prevent mildew
Now that you have cleaned your washing machine and it is mildew-free, you want to keep it that way. To do this, you’ll need to clean your washing machine regularly. Luckily, preventing mildew requires a lot less work than removing it.
Not everyone knows that you need to clean a washing machine, but it’s oh-so-important if you want your clothes to get clean and your washing machine to last. Doing this once a month will save you a lot of work in the future. So here are our tips for cleaning your washing machine and preventing mildew.
1. Wipe down the rubber parts of your washing machine
If your washing machine doesn’t have mold, you don’t have to do this extensively. You do this mainly to remove the soap residue. A damp cloth works best for this purpose.
2. Clean the soap drawer
There is actually always a residue of detergent left in there. Therefore, it is a good idea to clean the soap drawer with a cloth once a month.
3. Running a washing machine at 90 degrees
By running a wash at 90 degrees you remove a lot of dirt and kill a lot of bacteria. Can your washing machine be set to hotter than 90 degrees? That works even better.
4. Let the washer dry
We’ve said it before: a humid, hot washer is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. That is why you should leave the washer door open after every wash. This will help the drum dry properly and prevent mildew and bad smells.