Have you suddenly discovered that there is visible mold in your washing machine? Or do you smell something musty and you're worried that it could be mold? Cleaner Guys is here to help!
We're a professional mold removal company with more than 60 years of combined experience. We're here to show you how simple cleaning mold out of a washing machine can be! (Phew!)
How Did Mold Get In the Washing Machine?
Washing machines are actually a very easy place for mold to grow. Mold spores are floating around in small numbers all the time, like dust. But all they need to congregate and start growing is moisture, organic material to "eat", warmth, and darkness. Washing machines usually have all of those! They're dark, wet, and warm, and can contain dirt and food particles that feed mold.
What's the Best Cleaning Chemical to Clean Mold Out of a Washing Machine?
As mold removal professionals, our top recommendations for cleaning mold out of a washing machine are vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. They will both work very well at cleaning mold out of your washing machine. Hydrogen peroxide is a little harsher, but vinegar is more natural, and is often a little better at eliminating odors.
Does Bleach Work to Clean Mold in a Washing Machine?
Unlike some other publications on the internet, we do not recommend using bleach to clean a washing machine. While it can do a thorough job, bleach is far more toxic and harsh compared to vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, which do just as good of a job. Bleach is also risky, because if you mix it with another chemical, it could produce toxic gas! For example, if you mix bleach and vinegar, they will produce chlorine gas, which is very dangerous! Even the EPA discourages the use of bleach in normal household cleaning situations.
5 Steps to How to Clean Mold in Your Washing Machine
The question of how to clean mold in your washing machine may seem daunting, but it's actually quite simple! However, we emphasize that just because the process is simple, that doesn't mean you are free to skip any of the steps as you please. The process is simple and effective as long as you follow every step laid out below.
Important Note: Make sure every item of clothing and textiles is removed from your washing machine before cleaning it for mold!
This step is often overlooked, but it's one of the most important! Mold is a dangerous substance to be exposed to without PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), and it should be taken seriously.
When cleaning mold, you should wear sturdy cleaning gloves, a shirt with long sleeves, and an N-95 mask to limit inhalation of mold spores. Safety glasses are optional, but may help prevent spores from irritating your eyes.
Take either an abrasive sponge or a towel you plan to throw away afterward, dip or spray it with your chosen cleaner (vinegar or hydrogen peroxide), and thoroughly scrub every crevice inside your washing machine. Pay special attention to the rubber gasket around the door, cleaning inside every fold you can reach.
Next, add vinegar or peroxide, and run your washing machine through a cleaning cycle, at its hottest and longest setting. You may ask "How much vinegar do I put in my washing machine for mold?". 1 cup of vinegar should be enough, but if you want to be extra thorough or your machine has a lot of mold in it, you can use 2 cups. These same measurements apply to peroxide.
Some may also ask "Where do you put vinegar in a washing machine?". Our recommendation is to put it directly in the drum.
Note: Make sure not to have any clothing or textiles in the machine during this cleaning cycle! It should have nothing in it but hot water and vinegar or peroxide.
Thoroughly wipe down the inside of the washing machine with a clean, dry towel, inspecting it with your eyes and nose for any remaining mold residue or odor. If you still detect any mold, repeat steps 2 and 3.
Then, after all this is done, leave the door of the machine open for at least 3 hours, to allow it to dry even more thoroughly. One of the mistakes that can encourage mold growth in a washing machine is closing the door immediately after taking the wet laundry out, as this can prevent the machine from drying thoroughly!
This is another crucial step, but sadly, we haven't seen any other publication on this subject mention it. Mold on the floor and walls around a washing machine is far more common than mold inside one, so it's equally important to check for mold around the outside of your machine.
To do this, pull the washing machine away from the wall as far as you can, and visually inspect the floor and the walls around it for signs of mold growth.
How to Prevent Mold in a Washing Machine
The best ways to prevent mold in a washing machine are to clean it regularly and leave the door open when you're not using it. Remember, mold needs darkness, moisture, warmth, and organic particles like dirt and food in order to grow! If you simply leave the door open when you're not using the machine, any moisture will evaporate much faster, and more cool air and light will get in!
"How often should I clean my washing machine to prevent mold?", you ask? We recommend cleaning it at least every 2 months (more often is even better!). Follow the steps outlined in this article when you do, and you'll be golden.
Finding mold in your washing machine is shocking, frustrating, and disgusting! Thankfully, with the guidance of a professional mold removal expert like Cleaner Guys, the solution to how to clean mold in your washing machine is simple and straightforward.
Happy cleaning!
If you find mold on the floor or walls around your washing machine, you should bring in a professional mold removal or mold inspection company. If you need one in Western Washington State, consider Cleaner Guys as a high-quality, well-trusted option! We're proud to boast award-winning customer service, lower prices than others, and top-notch workmanship! Contact us today through the menu at the top of your screen.