Front Loader Cleaning Question

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this is the correct forum for this question but here it goes...Let me begin by saying that I cannot stand my front loader washing machine. That is putting it nicely.

I am cleaning the detergent dispenser/tray. I have soaked it within a water/bleach mixture and will have to scrub it etc. Would I ruin it if I put it in the dishwasher after I cleaned it with the bleach? I guess that is pretty gross anyway and if I did ruin it, well, that would be the straw that broke the camel's back and we would have no choice but get a new washer machine. Hmmmmmm.

It's nasty. I clean the rubber and open the detergent dispenser/tray after each use and yet mold continues to build up.

[Anonymous]

We found that once mold started, it was hard to get rid of it. We replaced our first front loader. We leave the door open on our front loader all the time now when not in use and it has lasted much longer.

[Anonymous]

You can probably get a replacement tray.


Use vinegar, not bleach.

[Anonymous]

Make sure to run a sanitize or hot load with bleach every few loads - if you do this and keep the door and dispenser drawer ajar when not in use, the problem shouldn't recur.

[Anonymous]

We used to have them in our previous home and are so glad to leave them behind (even though they were relatively new). Did not have mold issue but were tired of the cleaning. Best thing to do is to wipe the whole rubber ring completely dry after EACH use AND leave the door open to air

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We used to have them in our previous home and are so glad to leave them behind (even though they were relatively new). Did not have mold issue but were tired of the cleaning. Best thing to do is to wipe the whole rubber ring completely dry after EACH use AND leave the door open to air

This is what I do, but over time, the mold does still accumulate. I just pour a little bit of bleach into the rubber ring, leave it for a bit, then run a clean cycle.

[Anonymous]

I love my front loader and have never had a problem with mold or mildew. I leave the door open when not in use, just as I always did with my top loader because that is what my mother also always did. Top loaders are just as likely to get mold if you leave the lid closed between uses, people just seem less aware that it is in there in a top loader.

Good advice above to run a hot cycle every so often. I wash my towels on the bleach cycle once a week and that seems to be enough. My front loader is so much better than my previous top loader, I would never go back.

[Anonymous]

I've been using Affresh tablets once a month for the past 18 months after buying our frontloader, and I don't have a mold problem. The washer does have a weird smell at times that eventually dissipates, but no visible mold.

[Anonymous]

Had our front loader for 5 years, and are vvery strict about always keeping the door open. Not a spot of mold in all that time.

[Anonymous]

In addition to always leaving the door open between loads, don't use any liquid fabric softener (creates build up that encourages mold) and instead fill the fabric softener compartment with white vinegar for every load. The smell won't carry to your clothes, and it'll help the soap rinse fully out of the machine (again, to reduce build up that attracts mold).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been using Affresh tablets once a month for the past 18 months after buying our frontloader, and I don't have a mold problem. The washer does have a weird smell at times that eventually dissipates, but no visible mold.

THIS and tub clean cycle

[Anonymous]

Vinegar is not a great idea, it can eat hoses and seals.

But it is a good idea to avoid fabric softener and liquid detergents. Powdered detergent is better.

[Anonymous]

A friend told me before I brought my house with front loader to always leave that door open. I have had my front loaders for over 6yrs and no mold problems at all. It is also in the same room as my HVAC so it gets plenty of ventilation being there.

[Anonymous]

I've done everything under the sun to clean the mold off mine and it's still there (at least the dark spots), and have since left the door open after every wash. I'm planning on ordering a new gasket seal and replacing it (there are videos on youtube on how to replace it yourself).

[Anonymous]

OP I learned the hard way with my first front loader. I treated it like a regular top loader, closed the lid after using it. wrong!! my washer was ruined, so much so that we left it behind when we moved.

I have another front loader and that sucker stays open all the time!