Over time washing machines can start to emanate a foul odor that is very unpleasant and can often lead to your clothing smelling poorly as well.
Top loading washing machines don’t typically have this foul smelling odor, but most front loading washing machines will eventually get an odor if they are not taken care of and cleaned properly.
The odor stems from a rubber seal that surrounds the front of the tub and is used to make a tight seal when the door to the machine is closed. Over time, moisture build up in that rubber seal will cause mold and mildew to grow, which in return will smell horribly. This seal needs to be cleaned. Leaving the door to the machine open when not in use simply isn’t enough.
Here is how you can rid that situation from happening and keep your washing machine smelling so fresh and so clean clean!
First you need:
- Clorox Bleach
16 oz. (0.5 liters) of vinegar.
Rubber gloves
A rag
A cloth
An old toothbrush
- Mix the Clorox with warm water in a 50/50 mixture.
- Put the rubber gloves on and start cleaning the entire inside of the washer with the diluted Clorox. Be sure to get behind the rubber sealing as this is where the mildew likes to hide.
- Soak the towel again in the mixture and then stuff it into the rubber seal where the mildew is most prominent. Allow the towel to sit for at least 30 minutes.
Finish off by using the toothbrush to scrub with.
Now run the machine once at the highest temp.
Now run a second empty load with the temp as high as possible. This time, use the vinegar.
Note* The vinegar should only be added during the second load, not the first. Clorox and vinegar together are actually quite toxic! Put the vinegar into the detergent dispenser and run it on the highest temp setting. You now have a mold-free washer, and most importantly stink-free clothes!
