Mould grows easily in warm, damp environments – exactly the conditions found inside most washing machines. After each cycle, leftover water, detergent, and fabric softener can cling to parts like the rubber door seal and detergent drawer. If these areas aren’t cleaned regularly, they can create an ideal breeding ground for mould and bacteria.
Front-loading machines are especially vulnerable, as their door seals are designed in a way that traps moisture more easily than top-loaders. Without proper maintenance, mould can build up quickly and affect both the performance of your machine and the freshness of your laundry. Brittany Bailey took to her blog, Pretty Handy Girl, to share that there are just three simple ways to prevent mould from taking hold of washing machines, and they should only take you five seconds to do.
She claimed that after 10 years, she’d only cleaned the inside of her washing machine twice—once when it sat in her garage for over a month, closed up during renovations, and the second time when she had a house guest who “didn’t know to do three things to keep the washer clean and smelling fresh.”
How to keep washing machines mould-free for good
1. Always wipe the door off after each load
Make a habit of wiping the door after each wash, or at least weekly. A quick wipe can go a long way in preventing grime from building up.
2. Always wipe out the gasket (top to bottom)
This is to remove any water and moisture, as the rubber seal is the main area that will gather mould and mildew first.
Gently pull the gasket toward you to wipe inside and behind the gasket. Wipe especially well around the drain holes at the bottom.
3. Leave the door and detergent drawer open after every wash
After your wash is done, to thoroughly air out your washer, leave your washing machine door open.
Try to keep the washing machine door and drawer open about 30 minutes after you’ve washed a load.
For those who spot visible mould inside the rubber seal in the form of black stains, Brittany has shared a simple household remedy.
She recommends mixing a small amount of bleach and water in a container, dipping an old scrub brush or old toothbrush into the mixture, and scrubbing the spots with the brush.
After, wipe clean with a clean rag dipped in water to remove the bleach mixture. Repeat as necessary. When the mould has been removed, wipe dry with a clean rag.