There are a lot of reasons to purchase a front load washing machine. They are stackable, highly efficient, quieter, and extend the life of your clothing. Unfortunately, they are also notorious for mold, mildew, and odor problems. Here are our top tips to keep your front-load washing machine clean and odor-free:
- Sanitize your washerStart by scrubbing away any visible mold, mildew, or other residue from the door gasket using white distilled vinegar and an old rag. Be sure to thoroughly clean between the folds of the gasket. Next, remove the detergent dispenser and scrub away any mold or detergent residue with more vinegar. Finally, fill the dispenser with bleach and run a cleaning cycle. If your washer does not have a cleaning cycle, turn the water temperature and water level settings to the maximum and run a regular cycle.
- Leave the door open when not in useYou won’t find this tip in your owner’s manual, but trust us, leaving the door open is the single most effective way to prevent your front-load washer from smelling like a sewer. You don’t need to leave it wide open – leaving it just an inch or two ajar will do. This prevents humidity from being trapped in your washer after every cycle, deterring mold and odors.
- Skip the fabric softenerIf you use liquid fabric softener, you should consider switching to dryer sheets or balls. Fabric softener residue provides a food source for mold, mildew, and odor-causing bacteria. If you cannot give up your liquid fabric softener, it would be a good idea to increase the frequency of the cleaning cycles described below.
- Keep it cleanTo keep odor-causing, mold-growing residue at bay, we recommend using Affresh washing machine cleaner on a monthly basis.