Front-loading washing machines are prone to developing mould along their seals which can harm your machine.
It makes sense that cleaning clothes in a dirty washing machine can be extremely off-putting.
But, by learning some of these simple tricks revealed by Consumer Reports, you can guarantee a clean washing machine for longer.
One of the most simple tricks to lessen the likelihood of mould developing is to “remove clean laundry as soon as possible”, once the cycle is done.
This helps to prevent moisture lingering in the washing machine, which would otherwise encourage mould growth.
Another way to stop moisture from building up in the machine is by leaving the door open straight after taking the wash out.
These two easy ways to reduce moisture in the drum will make a big difference in how often you see mould.
Special attention must be given to the detergent drawer, however, which does require a routine wipe.
The drawer should be removed from the machine, rinsed with water, and left out to dry.
Another useful tip from Consumer Reports is to “between loads, wipe it dry or leave the drawer open so that it can air out”.
Additional measures can include running a sanitary cycle (or a hot-water cycle) once in a while and wiping down the door and gasket.
Cheat sheet
Put on a wash
- Once the cycle is complete, take out the washing
- Leave the door and detergent drawer open to air-dry.
Once in a while
- Put on a hot wash to clean the inside of the machine
- Wipe along the gasket with a dry cloth.
Help! I’ve already got mould in the washing machine
PuroClean recommends wearing protective gloves before tackling mould in the washing machine.
Once you are properly protected against mould spores, clean the empty drum and gasket with water, lemon juice and distilled white vinegar.
The ratio should be two cups of water, a quarter cup of lemon juice, and half a cup of distilled white vinegar mixed in a spray bottle.
Then run a clean cycle on the hottest setting and the longest cycle, adding the mould-cleaning solution to the detergent drawer. This process might need to be repeated.
