Washing machines are subject to lots of abuse, like harsh chemicals and hard water, as well as soccer uniforms. Keep these vital appliances free of mold by following these guidelines.

The presence of mold is everywhere throughout the air as well as in the dirt inside our homes and, of course, inside our washers. Mold spores travel long distances by hopping on the breeze or a silky cashmere sweater. If they get settled on something moist, they begin to expand.

It’s virtually impossible to eradicate mold. Molds consume building materials such as paint, drywall, and wood and then cause destruction to everything around them. Yes, it sounds grim. However, without molds, forests couldn’t take down leaves, and we wouldn’t have cheese.

There’s no reason to ignore stinky mold found in the washing machine, regardless of how they adore a delicious cheddar. The irritants caused by mold can result in millions of dollars of damage to property every year.

In addition to pounding our clothes against a boulder in the nearby stream, we need to face the problem of mold inside our wash machines. Find out more about how to keep your washing machine free of mold.

Why Is There Mold In Our Washing Machines?

Molds require three essential elements that washing machines supply: oxygen, water, and food. The oxygen and water are obvious, but food? What does mold eat? All kinds of things, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In a washer, that food ingredient is detergent, fabric softener, and dirt from clothing.

How To Get Rid of Mold In Our Washing Machines?

Eliminating mold means getting rid of and eliminating those that are already present, as well as making sure that the conditions need to grow so that they won’t be able to return.

The first step is eliminating the mold. There are several ways to do this:

Borax and vinegar

One gallon of white vinegar combined with 1 kilogram of Borax is the recipe of choice by many. Vinegar and Borax are both naturally occurring antifungals. Together, they are a formidable combination.

The combo should be run on the longest and hottest cycle to kill the mold inside the hoses and drums. Repeating this process every 3 to 6 months will stop it from resurfacing.

Chlorine bleach

Bleach is a powerful mildew killer, as per the CDC. Take a cup of bleach through a sequence, the longer and hotter, the more effective. After the cycle has finished, clean the door and the gasket with an equal amount of one-third of bleach per three-quarters of one gallon of water.

Baking soda and vinegar

Vinegar is a washing machine’s miraculous worker. It is a great alternative to Borax, along with baking soda. To make use of baking soda, put a cup of powder to the drum, then fill the tray using vinegar. Run the machine on a hot setting.

Physical removal

Mix all of the above mixtures and take away the mold using the help of a sponge, microfiber cloth, or brush. Brushes are effective in cleaning all the crevices and nooks.

• Take the detergent tray off, scrub, rinse, then air dry.
• Use a microfiber towel to soak in a disinfectant solution, then wash the door along with the drum and gasket.
• Clean the filter of your washing machine, which could harbor mold.