How often should I clean my washing machine?

A quick wipe down is recommended once a week, while deeper cleaning using a washing machine cleaner should be done every 4 weeks to help get rid of soap residue & odor-causing particles.

Can I use Dettol or phenyl to clean the machine?

No. Many of us commit this big blunder. Dettol or regular phenyl creates excessive foam. Front-load machines work on low-water wash cycles; excess foam may make the machine malfunction. Stick to white vinegar or commercial laundry detergents.

Can I use bleach on all machines?

Bleach can be safely used on most stainless steel or plastic drums, but avoid using it too frequently on the rubber door seal. Using bleach repeatedly on a rubber door seal can cause cracks and leaks over time. Always refer to your washing machine's user manual.

Is mold dangerous to clothes?

Yes, it can be. Mold spores can get embedded into your clothes' fabric, creating a musty smell even after you wash them clean. It can also lead to skin allergies and rashes. Keeping your washing machine free from mold helps to keep good quality clothes and healthy skin.

How to Remove Mold from Washing Machine (India): Step-by-Step Guide

Table of Contents

Laundry care is a substantial task. But being left to deal with wet clothes smelling of wet dogs is unfair. If you notice strong smells or black spots on your clothes, you should know how to remove mold from washing machines.

Unfortunately, this is a challenge we all face—especially those living in humid climates in India. Mold on your appliance, washing machine, can damage your clothes and leave them smelling damp. We’ll provide some easy ways for cleaning the washing machine’s drum and seals. You can eliminate the musty smell and enjoy fresh, clean clothes with minimal effort.

Why Mold Forms in Washing Machines

Before we start cleaning, let’s find out what leads to this problem. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your clothes are dirty. In India, we believe “the more soap, the cleaner the clothes.” But that’s wrong. Using excessive detergent (Surf, Ariel) leaves behind a layer of soap residue. This soap residue sticks to the drum of the washing machine and serves as food for bacteria. We maintain good levels of cleanliness in our bathrooms. However, closing the washing machine door immediately after a wash creates high levels of moisture inside it. The dim and damp conditions within it create an ideal setting for black mold. In areas with high TDS levels, limescale buildup traps dirt and mold.

What You’ll Need (Available in India)

You don’t need any expensive equipment to carry out this task. You can easily get them from any local kirana shop or purchase them through Amazon/Big Basket.

White Vinegar—A great cleaning agent. White vinegar helps to remove mildew and dissolve soap stains.
Baking Soda—Good for scrubbing and deodorizing.
Bleach—(Optional) If there are strong, poisonous black mold spots, use this.
Old Toothbrush—For cleaning hard-to-reach areas and corners.
Microfiber Cloth—To wipe clean all surfaces.
Spray Bottle—To create your cleaning solutions.

How to Clean Front Load Washing Machine Mold

Front loaders (like those from Samsung, LG, or IFB) are famous for growing mold around the rubber door seal. This section is specifically for front-load washing machine cleaning.

Step 1: Inspecting and Cleaning the Rubber Gasket

This is the main issue. Carefully pull out the rubber ring surrounding the door. There will likely be black slime or mold accumulated there.

Mix a solution of 1 cup of water and 1 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle.
Spray it thoroughly into the folds of the rubber.
Leave it to sit for 10 minutes.
Take your old toothbrush, dip it in baking soda, and clean away the mold.
Wipe it clean with a dry cloth. Cleaning the rubber seal of the washing machine is a crucial part of these steps.

Step 2: Cleaning the Detergent Drawer

The compartment where you add liquid detergent is likely to have mold built up.

Completely remove the drawer (refer to your user manual if it’s stuck).
Soak it in a bucket of hot water mixed with vinegar.
Use the toothbrush to clean the holes.
Rinse and dry it before returning it to its place.

Step 3: Vinegar Drum Cleaning

Clean the interior of the washing machine

Pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum. Do not add it through the detergent compartment.
Choose the highest temperature setting available. If your washing machine has a “Drum Clean” or “Tub Clean” function, use that.
Let the complete cycle run. The vinegar will clean and disinfect the drum and hoses.

Step 4: Complete the Cleaning with Baking Soda

After the vinegar cycle is complete, sprinkle 1 cup of baking soda into the drum
Run a short hot cycle.
The baking soda double-action helps to eliminate any unpleasant odors from your washing machine.

How to Clean Top-Load Washing Machine Mold

Although top-load washers are easier to clean compared to front-load ones, they also have places where mold can hide.

Step 1: Soaking

Raise the machine’s water level to its highest position and set the temperature to the hottest available setting.
Add 4 cups of white vinegar as the water fills.
Allow the washing machine to agitate for 1 minute to mix the vinegar thoroughly.
Stop the wash cycle and allow the water to stand for 1 hour, allowing the vinegar to break down the fungal growth on the washing machine.

Step 2: Clean the Lid and Rim

While it’s soaking, don’t just sit back.

Get a cloth and dip it in the vinegar solution.
Rinse the underside of the lid, the rim, and the area around the agitator (that big stick in the center)—mold can form in these crevices.

Step 3: Complete the Cycle

Once the hour-long soaking period is over, close the lid and complete the wash cycle.
Do an additional rinse cycle using clean water to ensure all vinegar has been removed.

How to Remove Bad Smell from Washing Machine Filter

Your washing machine has a filter which traps coins, lint, and mold. For a front-load, look for a small square panel at the bottom front of the machine. On top-load washers, it’s usually found inside the tub or under the agitator cap. Place a shallow towel underneath to catch the water that spills out when you remove the filter. Twist and pull out the filter. Clean it under the tap, scrub with an old toothbrush, then replace it back in its position. Good maintenance of the filter is important for maintaining a washing machine.

Popular Cleaning Agents

White vinegar is a popular choice. It’s effective at killing mild mold and dissolving soap scum. Natural and safe to use in most cases, although be cautious when using with rubber seals, as frequent use of white vinegar can cause acid-based breakdown of some rubber types over time.

Baking soda is gentle yet effective in removing stains. Make a paste from baking soda and water and clean your washing machine drum with it. Baking soda also helps in eliminating bad smells.

Bleach is the most potent one. It instantly gets rid of most of the tough stain or mold inside your washing machine drum. But be cautious. Bleach can be rough on the parts of your washing machine. Using undiluted bleach frequently can cause damage to the rubber door seal. Never mix bleach with vinegar, as they produce poisonous gases posing serious health risks. Use a bleaching agent to deal with severe mold growth in the wash drum.

Products such as ‘Affresh‘ or specific washing machine cleaning agents (available from brands like IFB and Bosch) are good options, but slightly more expensive than vinegar.

Maintenance or Prevent Mold from Coming Back

Regularly run high-heat cycles. Every month, run a hot wash cycle (with vinegar) with no clothes. This gets rid of bacteria and spores that may be growing.

Good airflow is important. Leave the washing machine door and dispenser drawer open after use. Good airflow can help eliminate mold. If you keep the machine closed while it’s damp, mold growth will occur.

Regularly clean the seals. Create a habit of drying the rubber seal and glass door after doing laundry. This removes any stagnant water needed by fungi to grow.

Do not leave wet clothes in the drum for hours. Having wet clothes inside the washing machine leads to a foul-smelling machine.

Finally, ensure you measure your detergent. Using excess soap leads to heavy residue accumulation inside the washing machine. Opt for high-efficiency (HE) detergent. It forms fewer bubbles and leaves behind minimal scum on which mold can grow.

Related

How to Fix: Stubborn Mold and Persistent Odors

Sometimes, the mold can be stubborn. If you can still smell that musty one after your initial clean, it’s time to get deeper.

You may need to create a deep cleaning routine. Repeat the cleaning cycle. Use a specific washing machine cleaner tablet this time instead of simply using vinegar, as these tablets are designed to remove tough grime buildup.

There will be times when you need to call a professional. If you notice mold growing inside the drum or behind the control panel that you cannot access yourself, contact a technician. Attempting to disassemble the washing machine to deal with mold growth is not safe to do on your own. Additionally, check the drain hoses. Moisture accumulation can occur in the drain hoses due to clogs or kinks in them.

Simple Checklist

Here’s a simple routine to help you keep track of things.

For a 10-minute weekly routine, clean the door seal with a dry cloth. Keep the door and dispenser open after the last wash cycle. Remove any clothes that are damp from the drum as soon as the washing cycle is complete.

For a 30-minute monthly deep cleaning task, run a hot “clean” cycle with vinegar or a commercial detergent. Use a toothbrush and soap to clean the rubber seal. Empty and clean the dispenser drawers thoroughly. Wipe the exterior and controls.

Conclusions

No one likes a smelly washing machine. But getting rid of mold on it is easy if you follow the right tips. Make sure you focus on hot water, good ventilation, and effective cleaning products. Cleaning a washing machine is not a difficult task.

Start with the step-by-step guide mentioned above. Wear your gloves and give good care to your machine. Once you see the results and enjoy the clean, fresh smell, you’ll be glad you took good care of your machine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How often should I clean my washing machine?
A quick wipe down is recommended once a week, while deeper cleaning using a washing machine cleaner should be done every 4 weeks to help get rid of soap residue & odor-causing particles.
Can I use Dettol or phenyl to clean the machine?
No. Many of us commit this big blunder. Dettol or regular phenyl creates excessive foam. Front-load machines work on low-water wash cycles; excess foam may make the machine malfunction. Stick to white vinegar or commercial laundry detergents.
Can I use bleach on all machines?
Bleach can be safely used on most stainless steel or plastic drums, but avoid using it too frequently on the rubber door seal. Using bleach repeatedly on a rubber door seal can cause cracks and leaks over time. Always refer to your washing machine’s user manual.
Is mold dangerous to clothes?
Yes, it can be. Mold spores can get embedded into your clothes’ fabric, creating a musty smell even after you wash them clean. It can also lead to skin allergies and rashes. Keeping your washing machine free from mold helps to keep good quality clothes and healthy skin.