Have you ever opened your washing machine only to be met with a foul, funky stench?

Did you shrug and ignore it?

But it got worse, didnt it?

Until eventually, your newly washed clothes smelled like mildew.

We both had mold and bacteria growing in our washers and befouling our laundry.

Luckily, its fairly simple to clean your washing machine and prevent the mold from growing back.

Why is there black mold growing in my washing machine?

Mold also feeds on leftover fabric softener and detergent traces left behind when youve finished washing your clothing.

But an even worse problem can come from the rubber seals that keep everything in an HE washer airtight.

Mold builds up underneath them if youre not meticulous about cleaning and drying them regularly.

Is washing machine mold dangerous?

In a word, yes.

To make a bleach-based mold-killing solution:

Mix 1 part bleach with 4 parts water.

Pour about a cup of straight chlorine bleach into the washers main drum, or… spin up the empty washer at its hottest water cycle and largest load size.

Leave the door open so it dries thoroughly.

Dry it off with a dry cloth and leave it open.

Consult the manufacturer for whether this is possible/advisable for your particular washing machine.

Check the manual to see how to take them out.

Soak them for an hour or so in hot tap water.

Dry everything thoroughly before you put it back in place.

Most washing machines have a lint filter or trap, and this is often a huge mold attractor.

Check uour manual for how to remove it.

when you land:

Clean out any accumulated gunk on the trap.

Scrub it down with your mold-killing-solution or soak it in hot water.

Run a wash cycle with no detergent or bleach to confirm everything is fully flushed out.

How can I prevent mold from forming in my washer?

Always leave the washer open between uses.

Leave dispensers open as well, if it’s possible for you to.

Dont leave wet clothes in your washer.

If you have a high efficiency washer, only use detergent designed for HE machines.

Again, for HE washers, double-check you dry the area under the door gasket after every use.

Improve the air circulation in your laundry room with a fan or open window.

Run a dehumidifier to take moisture out of the air.

Avoid using too much detergent.

Some people recommendditching fabric softener altogether, and using white vinegar instead.