How to Control Mold in a Front-Loading Washer
The front-loading washer is a high efficiency washer that is meant to use less energy to clean more clothes. Unfortunately, many people are finding the machines just make clothes moldy, not clean. Here are the steps that eliminate the mold problem. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Use "high efficiency" rated laundry detergent. This is recommended for front-loading washers because it is low sudsing. The suds that build up in nooks and crannies cause the mold problem.
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Reduce the amount of regular laundry detergent you use if you cannot buy the high efficiency detergent. Use only about 1/4 the amount you would normally use. Unfortunately, this will sacrifice the quality of clean you will achieve.
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Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to your powdered detergent. The acidity will reduce the amount of suds produced.
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Use bleach in at least one load every couple of weeks. If you live in an area where the water is too mineral rich to use bleach without staining, run the washer empty with 1/4 cup of bleach. Even if you use bleach just for sheets or towels, it will make a significant difference in the mold problem. Always use the bleach compartment so that it will be significantly diluted before touching your wash.
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Wipe the door gasket with a diluted bleach solution once every couple of weeks and dry thoroughly.
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Leave the front-loading washer door ajar between loads to allow air to circulate.
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Tips & Warnings
The "high efficiency" laundry detergent, marked "he," is the true key to controlling your mold problem in a front-loading washer. In the long run, its higher price pays for itself--no empty runs, no wiping with bleach and no extra washes.
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Comments
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To deter mould in your front loader don't shut the door when not in use. You will not sacrifice wash quality by reducing the detergent. Try a warmer wash if clothes aren't getting clean.
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CrunchyMama
Apr 27, 2008
You can also make your own laundry soap, which is stellar in HE washer. Homemade soaps suds less than commercial soaps. (Commercial soaps add chemicals just for sudsing because consumers think that suds=clean. The chemicals don't actually contribute to cleaning at all.) Your savings depends on what brand of soap you use now, but I pay about $0.70 for 2 gallons of homemade detergent. Dissolve a grated bar of Ivory soap, 1/2 cup borax and 1/2 cup washing (not BAKING) soda in hot water. I heat mine over the stove until it is totally dissolved. Add enough cold water to bring the mixture up to 2 gallons. Let it sit overnight and it will get a gloppy, gelled, egg-soup consistency. Use 1/4 cup in HE washers, 1/2 cup in regular washers. No crazy chemicals, dyes or fragrances, and it is AWESOME at cleaning your clothes! Good for the environment, good for your budget, and good for your skin -
JJLi
Apr 07, 2008
Recently discovered that mold can actually grow in laundry detergent (use Kirkland HE detergent from Costco). This occurred because I was transferring portions of the large Costco container to a lighter smaller plastic bottle for easier dispensing to my washing machine. After many refills from many larger Costco containers, I discovered major mold growth in the smaller bottle. Who would have thought that mold could grow in laundry detergent.
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JJLi
Apr 07, 2008
Recently discovered that mold can actually grow in laundry detergent (use Kirkland HE detergent from Costco). This occurred because I was transferring portions of the large Costco container to a lighter smaller plastic bottle for easier dispensing to my washing machine. After many refills from many larger Costco containers, I discovered major mold growth in the smaller bottle. Who would have thought that mold could grow in laundry detergent.
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princessbride42
Aug 01, 2007
Actually I have found that the laundry detergent is not the problem at all; we've always used "he" detergent. My main problems are leaving the laundry in too long (over 2-3 hours) or just that there's just enough water left in the machine to help the clothes start to mildew. I use the bleach trick (don't know where our "bleach compartment" is so I just put it in with the detergent). I've never had clothes get faded. I try to do all our towels with bleach. Good article though!
