How to Clean Mildew in a Washer
Mildew in a washing machine is a common problem. You may not be able to visually see the mildew in the tub of your washer, but you will know it's there when your clothes begin to smell like mildew. It's important to clean your washing machine and kill the mildew when this happens. Cleaning your washing machine takes only a few steps, but be sure to use the proper precautions and work in ventilated area because treating mildew requires bleach. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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1
Pour 2 cups of bleach into your washer. Make sure to wear rubber gloves and a face mask when working with bleach to avoid any harmful side effects of working with bleach.
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Set your washing machine to the longest and cycle, using warm water. Allow the washing machine tub to fill half way, then shut off the washer.
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3
Scrub the tub and agitator of the washer using rags or a sponge. This is a good opportunity to also clean the sides and knobs of the machine.
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Turn the washing machine dial to hot and restart the cycle, allowing the washer to continue filling to the top. Turn the machine off and allow it to soak for an hour. Throw the rags into the machine so they can wash as the machine goes through its cycle.
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Run the washer a second time, using cold water through an entire cycle, to make sure no lingering bleach is in the machine that could damage colored clothes.
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Tips & Warnings
If your washer is in an enclosed area, use a fan to ventilate the room.
