“Because mold likes dark, humid places, you need to try and do the exact opposite: introduce constant ventilation and, if possible, sunlight,” he says. Every time you finish a load in your washer, keep the door open instead of closing it — yes, even if you're not using it.
Ditching the door is a great way to make the entire area available and open. This also helps laundry rooms that typically get hot and stuffy when the machines are running. By removing the door, there is better airflow and ventilation.
Run a service wash once a month on a hot wash (60C or higher) with no clothes or detergent in the machine. This will rid the machine of mould and bacteria.
Prevent Mould
To help prevent said mould from building up in the first place, there's a simple solution. After each wash, remove the dispenser drawer, rinse off any undissolved detergent and leave it to dry. Keep the door of your washing machine open too to stop mould forming inside your appliance or in the door seal.
Typically, it is okay to use washing machines every day as long as you give them time to rest after using them for an hour. Washing machines need rest to handle heat resistance inside them. When used once or twice, they work well and show no signs of damage.
Regularly wiping down and cleaning this compartment is crucial to stop mould. The longer the area goes without being cleaned, the worse a mould build-up will be. One person suggested: “For my drawer I took it out and soaked it in hot water with a dishwasher tablet. Left it for about an hour then rinsed it off.
Rethink Your Washing Habits
A common mistake when it comes to doing the laundry is using too much, or too little, detergent. Too much can mean that the detergent isn't fully rinsed from the clothes and could create a bad odour, while too little could mean that your clothes aren't being cleaned properly.
If your clothes aren't smelling fresh when they come out of your washing machine, it's probably down to a buildup of detergent, dirt or limescale inside your machine. The biggest symptom of this is your laundry smelling damp or musty, even when dry, as well as an unpleasant smell coming from inside your machine.
Run an empty hot cycle
So simply running the hottest wash with an empty drum will go a long way to keeping it clean.
White vinegar (again, you probably have some in your pantry) is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Pour two cups into the detergent dispenser of your washing machine and run an empty cycle on the hot water setting.
If you do not clean your machine and its parts regularly, then you should not expect a fresh-smelling washing machine. Some pieces of clothing or insects can get trapped in your washing machine and then cause a bad smell. Regular cleaning of your machine should be done to prevent foul smells.
Keeping your bedroom door closed can help with noise reduction, privacy, and safety from potential intruders. On the other hand, keeping the door open can help with air circulation, temperature regulation, and monitoring of pets or children.
The drum should be filled so that you can fit your hand in at the top and then be able to turn your hand 90°. It's best to leave some room for clothes to move; the agitation caused by the different clothes rubbing against each other is part of the washing process.
Research from UL's Firefighter Safety Research Institute (FRSI) shows that closing your bedroom door helps prevent a fire from spreading, lessens smoke damage and could even save lives.
It is essential to clean your washing machine once a month to avoid bacteria growth, bad smells and residue.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid leaving clothes in the washer for more than 8 to 12 hours. However, Murphy says there's more to think about than just timing to prevent your clothes from smelling and mildewing, especially if you're prone to letting your laundry sit for hours at a time.
Wet clothes should not be left in the washing machine or dryer for more than 8 to 12 hours. After 8 to 12 hours bacteria and mildew will begin to form on the clothing, which results in bad smelling garments.
Try lavender water.
Add lavender water to a spray bottle and give your laundry a quick spritz before throwing it into the washer. Just enough scent will remain after drying to keep it smelling fresh for a long time.
Too much detergent
It makes sense that not using enough detergent won't sufficiently rid your clothes of odor-causing bacteria, but going overboard could have an equally pungent result. More soap means more bubbles, and that buildup of suds can actually trap the bacteria in the fabric.
It is possible use either too much fabric conditioner or not enough. If there is too much fabric conditioner in the drawer, it could overflow. If it spills over the top of the compartment during the washing cycle this could trigger the siphoning process.
No. To keep maximum efficiency and quality, please do not use dishwasher tablets or detergent to clean your washing machine or to clean laundry.
Apply bleach-based mould cleaner to the microfibre cloth and thoroughly wipe the inside and outside of the detergent drawer. Take special care in the corners, where black mould usually collects. Continue until no mould remains. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and leave to dry.
“If you have mold or mildew, both vinegar and bleach are effective, but bleach is more effective,” Gazzo says. “For removing odors, I would say vinegar.”