How to Clean Front Load Washer Mold (In 5 Steps)

Front load washers are prone to attracting mold around the door gasket and other areas, particularly if you don’t follow any prevention practices. Fortunately, any mold or mildew that does grow can be cleaned away relatively easily, especially if you utilize our five-step cleaning method below.

Here’s how to clean mold from your front load washer and reduce the risk of it returning in the future.

Step 1: Gather your supplies

There isn’t one stand-out product that you have to use when it comes to cleaning mold from a washer. Various products can do the trick, and chances are, you already have some of them in your pantry.

In terms of cleaning agents, here are some effective products you can potentially use:

• Dish soap
• Mildew cleaner
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Bleach

On top of a cleaning agent or two, you will also need at least some of the following supplies:

• Rubber Marigold gloves
• A wet rag, cloth, or sponge for cleaning
• A toothbrush or soft-bristled brush
• A dry rag or towel, or paper towels for drying
• A container or spray bottle for your cleaning solution

Once you have all your materials gathered, you’re ready to start the cleaning.

Step 2: Clean the door seal

The door seal, also known as the gasket, is the rubber ring that goes around the inside of the door frame. It creates a water-tight seal, to prevent the water that is sloshing about during a cleaning cycle from leaking out onto the floor.

On a front load washer, the door seal is the area where mold most commonly grows, since moisture and cleaning residue accumulate here. To clean the rubber door seal, follow these steps:

1. Put on your rubber gloves.
2. Pull back the rubber seal with your hand to reveal the mold and wipe all the way around it with a cloth or paper towel to remove any that’s loose.
3. Then, apply your cleaning solution of choice—whether that’s dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda, mildew cleaner, or a bleach solution—using a spray bottle, or a damp sponge or cloth, to the entire door seal and surrounding areas, such as under the seal.
4. Let the cleaning solution sit there for 15 to 30 minutes.
5. Then, scrub around the seal with a damp brush, toothbrush, sponge, or cloth, removing as much mold as possible, and getting in all the crevices.
6. Rinse away any residue with an old rag and water, then dry the area and inspect it. 
7. If there are still some mold spots present, you can repeat the process once more, using a different cleaning agent this time. For instance, if you started with vinegar, try baking soda, mildew cleaner, or bleach for the second round of cleaning.
8. Rinse and wipe the area again to remove any residue, then dry it with a dry towel or rag.

Step 3: Clean the door and detergent dispenser 

It also makes sense to clean the washer door and detergent dispensers, since these are also where moisture and residues can accumulate, leading to mold growth.

Remove the dispenser and open the washer door ready for cleaning. Clean them both thoroughly and entirely using similar methods you used to clean the door seal. Be sure to get in all the crevices and grooves where mold can form.

Step 4: Run a sanitize cycle

Once you’ve cleaned all the mold hotspots on your washer, it’s a good idea to run a sanitizing cycle to kill and remove any mold spores inside the washer.

Most modern washers offer a sanitize cycle setting, which you can run while the machine is empty. It uses extremely hot water, a higher temperature than a normal cycle, in order to eliminate any bugs, germs, mold, and nasty odors.

You don’t need to add detergent since you will run this cycle with an empty load. However, you can enhance the sanitizing effect by also adding a cup of bleach, vinegar, or baking soda.

Step 5: Prevention is better than the cure

Rather than allowing mold to build up and performing a major clean, the best approach is to take steps to prevent it in the first place. Front-load washers are more prone to mold growth, but by taking these preventative measures, you can keep it at bay:

Don’t leave damp clothes sitting inside the washer

Once a cycle is finished, remove the laundry quickly to avoid creating a humid environment where mold can thrive.

Allow the washer to dry after a cycle

After a cycle has finished and you’ve removed the damp laundry, you should leave the door open or ajar for a while to allow the washer to air out and dry. Also, since the seal is the area most prone to mold, give it a quick wipe dry with a towel.

Don’t use too much detergent

Using too much detergent will create excess suds, resulting in more residue accumulating in the seal and other crevices, leading to more mold. Measure to ensure you’re using the right amount and check that you’re using high-efficiency detergent. Finally, avoid using liquid fabric softener to help reduce mold-friendly residue.

Clean the mold hotspots monthly

By cleaning the door seal, the door, and the detergent dispenser once per month, and running a monthly sanitize cycle, you’ll practically eliminate the chance of significant mold growth. You don’t have to be as thorough as we described earlier; just a quick wipe or scrub with a toothbrush, sponge, or cloth, and a cleaning agent, as long as it is done consistently, should be enough to keep any mold troubles away.

Summary

Mold can be annoying, and unfortunately, it’s more common with front load washers than top loads. But it’s not the end of the world. No matter how much mold your washer has now, it can be cleaned away fairly quickly with a bit of elbow grease and the right cleaning supplies. 

Once your washer is free of mold, as long as you follow the top tips for prevention we outlined above, it shouldn’t come back in a significant enough way to cause alarm. When it comes to washer mold; prevention is easier than the cure.