Have you checked your front-loading washer for mold? Chances are, you've got some brown or black slime on the inside of your gasket (a.k.a. that rubber seal around the door) that you don't even know about. Even if it's not actual mold yet, it has all the ingredients for mold growth. Unless you give your machine a hard scrub and take proper precautions moving forward, it's only a matter of time before your front-loading washer is ridden with black mold. 

We're not trying to scare you. We simply want to make more people aware of this surprising breeding ground for mold. After all, most homeowners are pretty vigilant when it comes to keeping their bathrooms, kitchens, and basements clear of mold-causing moisture and bacteria... Meanwhile, mold sneaks into their homes right under their noses by taking up residence in their washing machines!

So, how can you prevent mold in your front-loading washer? Let's take a look...

Mold Prevention Tips for Your Washing Machine

Now, it's important for us to note that mold growth is primarily a concern for front-loading washers—not so much for the bigger top-loading units. To be clear, mold should always be a concern when you're dealing with the combination of water and organic matter; however, the design of front-loading washers makes them much more susceptible to poor drainage, trapped water, and excessive detergent residue, all of which contribute to an extremely mold-friendly environment.

Therefore, when you own a front-loading washing machine, you need to take a few extra steps to keep mold away:

  • Always use high-efficiency detergent, and use less than you think you need. As high-efficiency machines, these units require less water by design. And when your detergent-to-water ratio is too high, the result is a machine coated in soap residue. This residue builds up, holds onto moisture, and is the perfect food for mold spores.
  • Always keep the door ajar when the machine is not in use. This allows the drum to dry out between loads and prevents water from being trapped inside the machine.
  • After every load, take a rag and soak up any excess water that has pooled inside the lip of the gasket.
  • Once a week, wipe down the interior of the door and gasket with a cleaning solution or distilled white vinegar (which is naturally antimicrobial). This will remove soap residue and mold spores from the surface.

If you follow these recommendations, you'll have no problem preventing mold and keeping your family safe and healthy.

However, if you discover that your washing machine already has significant mold growth, your best bet is to call Common Sense Inspections Inc. so we can identify the type of mold present. We cannot perform mold remediation services ourselves, but we can refer you to a local appliance repairman or mold removal specialist to take care of it for you.

Any questions? Don't hesitate to reach out!

The Moldy Blog

About the author

Hello, Samuel Dixon with Common Sense Inspections Mold Inspection in Los Angeles has been awarded the Council­ certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) designation by the American Council for Accredited Certification (ACAC). This prestigious, board ­awarded certification recognizes Dixon’s knowledge and field experience in indoor environmental investigation and consulting. To earn the CIEC designation, Samuel passed a rigorous examination based on respected industry texts. He then submitted documented, verifiable field experience to a board of peers, earning a unanimous vote of approval. To maintain the CIEC designation, Samuel will remain active in the field and complete 40 hours of professional development activities within the next two years. Samuel is now listed in the ACAC certificant database at www.acac.org, along with more than 2,800 ACAC certificants around the world. The database can be searched by name, company or zip code and represents a continuously updated roster of experienced indoor environmental professionals. The CIEC designation is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), both nationally recognized third­ party accreditation bodies. For more information, visit www.acac.org.