What’s the risk
Mold build up leads to a number of negative problems. Fungus creates inconvenience in the daily use of the washing machine and provokes malfunctions.
Allergic reactions
Mold formed in the drum gets on the clothes, creating a health hazard. The fungus releases mycotoxins, which when interacting with the skin lead to allergic reactions.
Weakened immunity
Contact with mould also weakens the human immune system. This causes viral diseases, a general feeling of well-being and fatigue.
Unpleasant odor
The development of fungus causes a pungent, disgusting smell, which can be smelled when opening the door or the detergent compartment.
The unpleasant smell is not only a constant discomfort when using the washing machine, but also impregnates clothing, which leads to its deterioration.
Bleach and vinegar
If citric acid did not cope with the problem, it is worth trying a more radical way. Effectively remove fungus will help a solution of whitewash with vinegar. Use rubber gloves to protect your hands. The advantage of this technique is the removal of lime scale, which, like mold, can form on the internal parts of the washing machine.
- At least one liter of bleach (poured into the rinse and powder compartment);
- Vinegar (added in rinse mode);
- rubber gloves.
Clean the washing machine
If you smell damp from the machine, but you can not see the fungus on the outside, this is not a reason to think that it is not there. Colonies can hide under the rubber rim or in other hidden places (in the hose, drain). To get rid of the smell and mold in an automatic washing machine at home you can use different methods. A very simple and quick, but also a very effective way to get rid of its stench, fungus and dirt. use a handy tool that contains acid: mold is very afraid of it. For example, you can take citric acid or vinegar.
In a clean and dry powder tray should be poured a cup of citric acid and run the longest mode of washing at maximum temperature, without loading the laundry. After that, it will be necessary to wipe the inside of the drum.
This is more concentrated acid, so you need less: half a cup. Turn on the washing in the same mode. But the vinegar is not poured immediately, but after the machine drains the first portion of water.
How to remove Mold/Mildew from A Washing Machine Seal/Rubber/Gasket-LINK for PT2 Pinned in Комментарии и мнения владельцев.
In addition to acids, the fungus is afraid of high temperatures and dryness. Run an acidic cleaning on the “hottest” mode, rid the appliance of dampness by thoroughly wiping it down, leaving the door open and ventilating the room. Victory is certain.
Other means that can eliminate the pressing problem. baking soda, dishwasher tablets, chlorine bleach.
This remedy is suitable for destroying local areas with fungus while there is still some. Soda helps to remove mold from accessible places: the drum, the detergent tank, rubber bands, the door seal.
For treatment, several spoons of baking soda and water are mixed into a paste that is then brushed on the fungal spots. The baking soda should work for about half an hour. After this also runs the wash “idle”, setting the maximum time and temperature. For greater efficiency, a couple of spoonfuls of powder can be poured into the tray.
The peculiarity of this method is that the pills (6 pieces) are not placed in the powder reservoir, but directly in the drum. Next, run the wash as outlined above. Approximately halfway through the cycle, the program should be paused (or the machine should be shut off if it has no such function), and left for at least 3 hours. During this time, the boiling water and the active ingredients in the pill should remove the smell and mold. After that, the wash is finished.
This method of eliminating odor and fungus is good for very neglected cases, but is not suitable for all machines. The instructions must always state that the use of chlorine is acceptable.
The principle is the same: a long wash at high temperature without laundry. Pour a liter of chlorine bleach into the powder tank and start the wash. Similarly, in the middle of the process, stop the machine for at least an hour and a half, and then restart it.
At the end of the cycle, 2 cups of 9% vinegar are poured into the tank and the rinse mode is started.
After this treatment, the machine should stand open for at least a couple of days to allow the chlorine and vinegar vapors to evaporate.
Don’t try to shorten the process and make it more effective by pouring chlorine and vinegar into the tray at the same time. This is a very combustible mix, capable of damaging the parts and mechanisms of the appliance.
When cleaning at home, pay attention to the sounds the washing machine makes. If large pieces of plaque and limescale get into the drain, they must be removed immediately, otherwise your helper may be damaged. Unusual for it noise, whistling, grinding, whirring. reason to immediately press pause and check for lumps of sediment in the drum and drain.
How to clean your washing machine of mold and mildew odor at home
Mildew is a harmful fungus, which must be remembered. Some believe that it will appear in the washing machine one way or another, especially with regular use. At the same time do not even try to remove the smell of fungus. But they try with all their might to block a pleasant fragrance using air conditioner and fragrance additives.
There shouldn’t be any mold in the washing machine. The presence of signs of improper care for technology and violations of operating rules. Continuing at this rate can aggravate the situation and lead to breakdowns. If the mold in the washing machine for months or years, it will be very difficult to get rid of at home. You may have to turn it in for repair. But in the first days and weeks after the appearance of fungus, you can fix the problem with your own hands using folk methods. Let’s figure out how to get rid of mold in the washing machine.
Why is there mold in the washing machine?
There are a number of reasons why mold can form in a washing machine:
- The room, where the washing machine is installed, is infected with mold;
- The room is damp, hot, there is no ventilation;
- The door of the machine is always closed when not in use;
- Washing is done at temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius;
- When washing, often use rinse aid, fabric conditioner;
- does not use bleach when rinsing;
- No descaler is added to the powder;
- Damp laundry is often left in the washer.
The rinse mode, built into the washing programs, can not remove the remains of conditioner from the laundry and the walls of the tank. Over time, the washing machine tank builds up plaque, which is hard to get rid of. This deposit provides a breeding ground for black mold. Regular mold remediation is then required. What to do to clean your appliance and prevent fungi from attacking it again?
See also. How to use Calgon for washing machines?
Top 5 chemicals for cleaning rubber parts
If folk remedies do not help, it is time to turn to special household remedies. Top 5 remedies will remove mold or mildew quickly, permanently, and inexpensively.
A universal detergent that removes mold, various kinds of harmful microorganisms, and unpleasant odors. HG is more often used for cleaning tiles, but it is suitable for rubber and silicone products.
Tiret
The combination of affordable price and effectiveness, make Tiret a very popular cleaner for washing machine mold or fungus.
Blanidas
Blanidas belongs to the category of professional chemicals. Like HG, it is most often used for cleaning tiles and tile, but can also be applied to rubber seals.
Dr. Beckmann
A good quality product at an affordable price.
- Pour the contents of one bag of Dr. Beckmann directly into the drum of the washing machine,
- Turn on “Rinse” mode,
- After you have finished working, wipe the inside of the drum clean and dry thoroughly.
Cheap, but quality mold and mildew remover. In addition to cleaning, it also has a disinfecting effect.
Mold in the washing machine. Causes of its appearance
It is really important to understand what caused the spread of fungus. And where? In a place that is designed to fight dirt! Can you imagine what a blow to the self-esteem of a conscientious and clean housewife causes the appearance of mold in the washing machine.
However, we hasten to reassure housewives. To clean the washing machine from mold is simple enough, despite the fact that mold spores are ubiquitous.
What does mold like so much in the washing machine?
- Of course, first of all, this is dampness, which can not do without when washing.
- And the second factor that stimulates the development of mold is the lack of ventilation due to a closed door with a seal.
For your information! Think of an old loaf. If it’s lying on a plate, it’s just drying out. And if packed in a bag, it turns green and then black. And certainly everyone knows that eating such a loaf is dangerous to your health.
Now it’s clear that dampness is a balm for fungal plaque. The door closed tightly does not leave a chance to dry out. But often the fungus grows and in washing machines, which stand open all the time, and seemingly should dry out.
It really is. Cleaning the washing machine from mold will be necessary if:
- there is a constant stagnation of dirty and soapy water, due to improper installation of the drain system;
- Only low-temperature wash modes are used;
- Detergents that do not rinse well are used;
- the washing machine stands in a room with high humidity.
Let’s figure out what is fraught with mold in the washing machine automatic.
What means can be used?
Let’s briefly summarize what remedies can be used to clean the washing machine from mold:
- Chlorine-containing substances: Domestos, Belizna;
- alkaline compositions: soda, lye;
- acidic substances (not too aggressive): vinegar, citric acid; ;
- for cleaning the drain hose: compositions for cleaning drains (Tiret, Mole and others);
- auxiliary substances (do not kill mold, so they are used in conjunction with the above listed to clean surfaces): dishwasher detergents, laundry detergent, etc.д.
Why does mold appear on the door seal??
If after washing the laundry smells damp and in some places there are dirty-gray stains on it, it means that mold has settled in the machine. This problem arises due to high humidity and lack of air exchange, as well as due to non-compliance with hygiene rules. You run the risk of encountering it if:
- Constantly running the laundry in the delicate or fast mode. Water is heated to 30-40°C, which is not enough to kill bacteria and fungal spores. microorganisms settle on the inside of the drum and hatch.
- Use conditioner or other rinse aid every time. The soothing agents in these products will not wash off plastic, metal, and rubber surfaces. They form a slimy scum that actively supports the growth of mould.
- Leaving the wet laundry inside the washing machine for a long time. Humidity, cold and lack of fresh air are ideal conditions for the growth of fungi, that is why the clothes should be removed from the drum immediately, at most 2-3 hours after washing. If you cannot hang the laundry immediately, put it in a basin.
- Close the hatch when there is water left inside the drum. High humidity combined with low temperatures speeds up the development of mould colonies. Leave the door ajar until the machine is completely dry.
Before you start fighting mold, you need to figure out what caused the mold to grow. Because if the root cause is not eliminated, the fungal plaque will appear again and again.
