How to Remove Mildew Smells From a Washing Machine
Even the top of the line washing machines can suffer from mildew. Before you buy mildew removers or shop for a new machine, there are a few simple steps to try to remove the smell of mildew from your machine and your clothes for good. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Balance your washing machine. Standing water breeds mildew and mold. A washing machine that isn't level to the ground stands a higher chance of not draining completely. Take a level and place it on the top of the machine along the front from side to side and then again along the side from front to back. If the machine is very off, you can adjust the feet to compensate or add something under one of the feet if it is not flat against the ground. Portable washing machines are especially prone to have standing water because they are moved around and not leveled each time.
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2
Promptly remove your clothes at the end of a wash cycle. If you regularly leave the damp clothes in the washing machine for an extended period at the end of the cycle, you will have mildew in your clothes and your machine. The same is true if you put clean clothes in the dryer and they are not completely dry when the cycle ends and you don't go back for a few days to pull them out. Damp clothes in an enclosed space for days will mildew.
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Leave your washing machine door open in between uses which gives the machine the opportunity to fully dry out.
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Use white distilled vinegar in an empty machine. Run a load with only hot water and two cups of vinegar to clean out the machine and freshen the scent. Vinegar naturally eliminates odors and reduces the buildup of soap residue in the washer which contributes to mildew development. You can also add baking soda and/or bleach to the load for both their sanitizing properties as well as assisting in ridding the smell of mildew.
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Regularly use vinegar when you wash your clothes. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to the last rinse cycle. Vinegar has acidic properties but it is mild enough that it will not harm your fabric. It does dissolve alkalines in laundry detergent which makes for cleaner and softer clothes. The reduction of detergent buildup in your machine will help to also reduce the incidence of mildew.
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If you have a front load washer, they are particularly prone to mildew and mold. Follow the manufacturers suggestion as to how much and what type of detergent should be used. It is generally less than the traditional top load washing machines. Once again, additional soap residue helps to breed mold and mildew. Also, pull the seals back from around the door and make sure there isn't a build up underneath them that needs to be cleaned out.
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Finally, if you have done all of the above and nothing seems to work there are commercial products available that are recommended. Please see the links below for a few of them.
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Tips & Warnings
Unplug your washing machine if you are underneath or behind it trying to level it.
Resources
- Photo Credit stock.xchng
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Comments
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handymancan
Mar 15, 2009
This is a good list of tips. The only other one I would add is you can use a product called Smelly Washer that will work better than vinegar from Step 4. Smelly Washer was specially designed for this problem.
