key takeaways
- All washing machines have a flexible seal around the door to help prevent leaks.
- The seal traps water, soil and product residue after each wash, which can lead to mold and mildew growth.
- Cleaning the seal monthly keeps it mildew-free and prevents odors in the washer and on your clothes.
If you catch a whiff of musty odor coming from your clean laundry, it’s time to check the seal on your washing machine door. Water and residue can get trapped in the flexible seal around the door, causing odors to permeate everything that passes through.
Learn more about what’s causing the smell and how to clean your washing machine seal so the problem doesn’t continue
The one part of your washing machine you’re forgetting to clean
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Call it a seal, gasket, or door boot, but we’re talking about the flexible piece of rubber around the lid top-loading washer door of front-loading washing machineThe washer is sealed to help prevent leaks during cleaning cycles.
When used, water, laundry product residue and body soil land in the folds of the washer seal. If the seal is not allowed to dry thoroughly after each laundry session and is cleaned at least monthly, the warm, humid environment inside the washer is the perfect breeding ground for mildew and mold.
How to clean the seal of your washing machine
- Mix a solution of 1 part warm water and 1 part distilled white vinegar in a small bowl. Dip a microfiber cloth or sponge in the solution.
- Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe thoroughly around the edges, seams, folds and all sides of the rubber seal. Use your fingers to gently pull on the seal to reach hidden cracks.
- Dip an old toothbrush or small, nylon-bristle bottle brush in the vinegar solution to reach tight spots.
- Use a dry microfiber towel to remove the cleaning solution, making sure the caulk is completely dry.
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how to maintain washing machine
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Every washing machine should have at least one thorough cleaning every three months To remove trapped body soil, laundry product residue and water mineral buildup. If you wash heavily soiled or greasy clothes, clean your washer monthly to remove odors and prevent soil from clogging your laundry.
Start with an empty washer. If you have dispenser drawers, consult your washer’s online manual for how to remove them.
Fill a sink or bucket with warm water and let the drawer components soak for 10 minutes to remove traces of accumulated products. Rinse thoroughly. Use a small soft-bristled brush in a 1:1 water and vinegar or water and chlorine bleach solution to clean the drawer openings on the washer to remove residue and any mold. Replace the dispenser drawer.
Clean doors and seals as recommended above. Finally, use a commercial washer cleaner, 2 cups distilled white vinegar, or 1 cup chlorine bleach and warm water for a thorough clean. Add your selected cleaner directly to the washer drum. Many washers have a cleaning cycle or use the longest wash cycle, and make sure the hottest water is selected.
While the washer is running a cleaning cycle, wipe the outside of the machine to remove dust and grime. When the cycle is complete, open the door and dry the door seal. Open the dispenser drawer, leaving the door open, and allow the machine to air dry.
4 Other Things That Make Clothes Mildew
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It’s not just a moldy washing machine seal that can leave clothes to smell sour or mildewy. Here are some other common culprits.
tossing wet objects into the barrier
Leaving wet or damp items like gym wear or towels in the temp for several days gives mold fungus plenty of time to grow and cause odors. If you can’t wash wet items right away, hang them to air dry before adding them to the hamper.
storing damp clothes
Whether clothes are freshly washed or damp from rain, storing them in a dark closet or drawer can lead to mold growth. this applies to shoes and boots Also clothes.
Keep in mind that mold can spread from one garment to another, especially if there are food stains. Allow laundry, shoes and clothes to dry completely before storing them.
leaving towels in a pile
Add multiple towel bars to your bathroom so that damp towels can be spread out smoothly to dry more quickly. Even if you hang them on a hook, tufted clothes can take too long to dry and allow mildew to form. use your bathroom exhaust fan For drying speed.
leaving dry cleaning in a plastic bag
Dry cleaning is a misnomer because a liquid cleaning solution is used in the process. Garments may still be damp when the cleaner puts a plastic bag over them to protect them before you get home. Always Remove the thin plastic bag immediately The clothes can breathe completely and be dry when you get home.
