Mouldy washing machine??

Question

Our washing machine is really manky around the rubber seal thing inside the door. There is a green mould and not too nice a smell.

I have tried cleaning it with soap and water which cleaned quite a bit of it off but it seems to come back really quickly and there is stuff i just can't shift 9even when i try to scrape it off with a knife!?

Anyone got any tips on cleaning a washing machine or at least stopping the whiff of it

Thanks :)

Answer 1

I find that this little clever cleaning solution works:)

Vinegar can help remove soap residue and reduces build up of mineral deposits in the machine. Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of vinegar to a normal wash cycle [w/o the clothes] every couple of months. Be sure to continue through the rinse cycle. But be careful b/c U don't want 2 leave vinegar on the surface of porcelain-it contains acid and that can etch the surface if it remains in contact too long. And as we all know this can rust and rough spots that could cause damage to your clothes:)

Answer 2

would use a spray bottle with a bleach based cleanser. It will kill the mold. After the mold is gone spray with some plain water to rinse. I would then run on cycle with just soap to make sure that there is no bleach left in the washer.

To keep this from happening again just make sure that when you are done using the washer after laundry time you leave the door open and then also open the place where the detergent goes. i much agree on the above

Answer 3

Look at this UK website:

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/usage_2.html...

Answer 4

air out the area. try to keep the area dry (might be hard considering its a washing machine) and use bleach on the mould. if it were my washing machine i would just get a new one if the mould is that bad

Answer 5

Run the machine with detergent and bleach in the hot water cycle (empty)

Answer 6

Try putting Soda Crystals in with your washing powder. Its great for getting rid of mould and does no harm to clothes.

In fact it helps remove lots of stains from clothes ie, blood, grease etc if they are left in a strong solution of it to soak.

You can buy a box in any supermarket for less than a pound and its great for lots of cleaning around the house.

Answer 7

lavender oil and tea tree oil are both fungicidal.  put 8 to 12 drops of either or a blend in 1l water and spray down the area well.  it will kill the mould and the residual oil will prevent it from recurring too quickly PLUS it leaves a pleasant smell.

personally, that bad a problem i'd make it 12 drops or more.

to remove the existing crud, i find you can't go wrong covering it with baking soda or borax and scrubbing with a cloth (not a sponge - they're not durable enough - and not a brush or the stuff will fling up into your face).  once it's done, spray it down with the lavender or tea tree solution.

Answer 8

You won't get the mould off, you should have left the door ajar.

Answer 9

i would try using vinegar and lemon juice it will work wonders!

Answer 10

I would use a spray bottle with a bleach based cleanser.  It will kill the mold.  After the mold is gone spray with some plain water to rinse.  I would then run on cycle with just soap to make sure that there is no bleach left in the washer.  

To keep this from happening again just make sure that when you are done using the washer after laundry time you leave the door open and then also open the place where the detergent goes.

Answer 11

We had mould all around the drum housing, took the machine apart and cleaned it.  Through research at the time I can tell you that mould can be killed with high temps, so try scrubbing with very hot water (wear gloves of course!).  

If that doesn't work, you may be stuck with the staining.  Or look for a replacement seal, we bought one recently for our 12 year old machine, they can be found from repair men!

To prevent reoccurence, wipe the seal with an absorbent cloth after each wash, and occasionally run a hot wash if you can, like 60 degrees or more.