Front Loading Washing Machine Smells Like Mildew – Want to know how to clean a front loading washing machine? If you think your washing machine smells, this simple cleaning solution is just what you need. I am very ashamed to say that I did this and was not sure how to fix the bad smell.
It turns out that your washing machine can be the perfect breeding ground for the mold that causes these bad smells. No one wants a dirty washing machine when doing laundry.
Front Loading Washing Machine Smells Like Mildew
So I did a lot of research and found the best way to clean a front load washer with bleach, vinegar and baking soda. It is really easy to do and it takes a lot of effort!
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So don’t be shy like me, just follow these 5 easy steps to clean your front load washer and feel good about using your washer again.
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First, use a cleaning cloth and some warm water to clean the washing machine door and give it a deep clean. Next, scrub and clean the inside of the washer seal with an old toothbrush or cleaning rag.
This will remove any soap residue or detergent residue from the washing machine that the soapy water may have left behind. You will be surprised at how much soap and even mold you will find on the door and between the rubber seal and the washing machine.
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Be sure to clean the rubber ring part of the tire seal with your old toothbrush and warm water.
Then make sure you pull back the rubber part and really clean the rubber seal on the washer. But you must be cool that you do not want to tear anything.
Next, you will clean the inside of your washing machine by creating your baking soda mixture for the first cleaning.
Make this by combining ¼ cup baking soda and ¼ cup water in a measuring cup or small bowl. Separately, add 2 cups of vinegar to a measuring cup.
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Now go to your washing machine and add the baking soda mixture to the detergent tray. The tray is the removable soap drawer where liquid detergent is added.
Next, pour 2 cups of vinegar into the machine. Yes, I know it seems strange to pour the liquid into the washing machine, but it works.
Lastly, put your machine through a regular clean cycle on the hottest water setting, or if you have a clean washer cycle, use that. This step will help break down mineral deposits and mold growing inside the tub. It will also help get rid of musty smells.
This step is how you will kill any bad smell left in your car. I really wanted to make sure I got rid of all the mold, so I took the extra step of running a bleach cycle.
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If you’re already taking the time to clean your washing machine, you might want to take this extra step and finish removing any mold or soap that may have spread. So bleach is the way to go.
To do this, pour two cups of bleach into the soap dispenser and run the washer on the same hot water setting as before.
When the bleach cycle is finished, run a final rinse cycle just to make sure all the bleach is gone and you haven’t ruined any of your clean clothes.
Clean the washer seal once again with a rag and warm water to remove any remaining mold. It would also make for a faster cleaning of the inner drum and washing machine door with an old towel.
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After that, the washing machine should no longer smell and you should have a clean washing machine ready to use.
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1. After running a load of laundry, leave the door open to dry after each wash. Or hang an old towel over the door to leave an open space to let air in but not obstruct you.
3. Clean the rubber seal after each use with the old towel that will hang on the door.
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4. Check the rubber seal for small treasures that fall out of the pockets during the wash.
5. Try to do a regular cleaning of your washing machine once a month to keep a clean and odor free washing machine.
When you’re done cleaning your washing machine, clean your microwave next. Say goodbye to all that smelly cooked food with simple microwave cleaning tricks using lemon, vinegar or baking soda.
Did you know that you also have to clean your dishwasher? Don’t worry, it’s very easy to do! Follow these 4 steps to clean your filter and disinfect your entire dishwasher with our best ways to clean a smelly dishwasher.
How To Clean Your Front Loading Washing Machine…and Get Rid Of The Musty Smell
For those of you who hate cleaning, you’ll love our DIY cleaning hacks for lazy people. Its incredibly easy cleaning tips to deep clean your home with minimal work. You’ll want these tips!
Want to save money on cleaning your washing machine and your entire home? I found the best cheap cleaning supplies that really work at the Dollar Tree. Yes, Dollar Tree!
You’ll be surprised how many cleaning products you use that only cost $1. Check out my top 45 cleaning supplies at Dollar Tree and get some money saving inspiration.
Make sure you have all your cleaning supplies ready when you want to clean the house with my Ultimate Cleaning Supplies List. Get this free printable and never forget what you need at the store again.
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The thing that has helped me the most in cleaning my house is a simple cleaning schedule. The free printable is a realistic cleaning checklist that makes you feel less stressed about all the cleaning tasks and more focused.
While cleaning is busy you start organizing your house too. You’ll feel great when it’s over! Start with our simple organizing tips for your entire home, then focus on organizing your kitchen so you can finally find your pots and pans and Tupperware when you open your cupboards.
I hope this article taught you how to clean your front load washer with bleach, vinegar and baking soda. Let me know in the comments how it worked for you.
If you have any other great tips, please share them with us in the comments. I love hearing from my readers.
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Hello! Thanks for sharing this great tip. What type of vinegar do I need to use as a chemical or organic base?
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Hi Nina – I used non-organic Heinz white distilled vinegar, but you could probably use organic if you wanted. I hope it helps!
How to put two cups of bleach in the car soap dispenser? I barely kept 3/4 of a cup. Just curious
I had a problem with the baking soda dissolving in the soap dispenser water. I thought it was well mixed in the measuring cup before I poured it into the soap dispenser. Think? Did I miss something?
Maybe cut it in half next time? It melted on my car, not sure why it didn’t on yours. sorry We are talking about some of the most popular models from the most famous companies: front-loading washing machines that produce mold where you can’t even see it, make clothes smell, and grow bacteria. Now there are allegations that at least one of the companies knew about the problem for years, but sold the cars anyway.
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In 2005, Midwestern mom Maggie O’Brien bought a new Whirlpool front-loading washing machine for $1,000. “It was new technology with less water and less detergent,” he told us.
But a few months later, his clothes started to smell. “It smelled like a sock left in an old gym bag,” Maggie said. “That’s what it smelled like.”
Experts say it was mold, growing and spreading inside what Maggie called “the thousand dollar machine that’s supposed to wash my clothes.”
In fact, there are many complaints about mold in popular front loaders built in the late 2000s, from Whirlpool, Kenmore, Bosch, and LG. Angry customers are now venting about the problem in YouTube videos. “You end up with a funky smell that you can’t get rid of,” says a woman in one of them.
How To Get Rid Of Mold Smell In Front Loader Washing Machine
Consumers sue companies, calling it fraud. Jonathan Selbin
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