Removing Mold in Front Loading Washer Gasket

The best thing that I could tell you is that you should run an empty load with a cup of bleach. Let it go through the entire cycle. Hope that works for you

I have noticed this on mine also, so keep the door open after removing clothes and have sprayed it with Lysol - it seems to work fine - detect no odor.

I live in Galveston and have a front load. I haven't had a problem with mold on the gasket. But, I did notice that if I shut the door completely and then don't use it for a day or so, when I open the door I can smell a mildew smell. I just started closing the door as much as possible without actually "closing" it. My washer is in a walk-through area so I can't leave it all the way open, not that I would want to. I'm one that likes doors, toilet lids, etc. closed when not in use. Leaving the door ajar allows air to flow inside and dry out the inside of the washer, otherwise when the door is shut it's completely sealed up inside.

E.,
This is just a thought...I would think that you must have a leak. A washer that is just a year old shouldnt have mold on it like that. Have you considered calling the manufacturer? Do you have a warranty? Perhaps they have had this problem with others and will replace/repair it for you. Other than that, all I have ever used for a "moldy" problem such as yours, is a spray of mild bleach solution. Spray, let it sit a bit, wipe it off.

Good Luck in the search for your answer,
Margaret

They had a story about these front loading washers and the mold. I do not remember how they cleaned it. Therefore, I will never buy one those, and stick with the top loading.
Even if you think you are getting the mold out, I think there still would remain more as you can not get a look at the inside rubber rim.
Who has time to do extra cleaning.
Note: Front loading machines - Between washes you are to keep the door open - it is in the manuel.

Try the Mr.Clean magic eraser. It took the mold off my dishwasher gasket.

Wow! My hairdresser and I were discussing this very thing on Thursday this week! She said she had an issue with what you are describing. She pulls back the lip of the gasket and wipes it with an antibacterial cleaner every week. She also runs the machine on the "sanitizing" cycle at least once a week with detergent and bleach in the cycle but NO CLOTHES. She says this has helped get rid of the mildew for her. (I have a new front-loader but have had no problems thus far.)

Hope this helps!

I would try something meant to remove mold...like tilex mold and mildew remover and see if that works...it may take a few applications to get it all, but it would cost less than replacing the item in question...

I have a brand new HE system...did you leave the door ajar between washes like they suggest??? If so do you live in a high humidity area??

The same thing happened to me about two years ago. We had mold growing as well as the smell of mildew left on washed clothes. A service technician came out and looked at our rubber gasket. He said that this is a typical problem with front loading washers. Over time, the rubber on the gasket breaks down allowing for mold/mildew to seep into the fissures and fester. If your washer is still under warranty, I recommend having your gasket replaced and then follow the below preventative techniques:

(1) Run an empty load with the hottest water and white vinegar to remove the mildew smell and any mold in the tub section.
(2) Wipe the rubber gasket down with windex (vinegar is one of the best cleaners/disenfectants).
(3) Avoid washing extra-large loads as this allows wet clothes to come in contact with the rubber gasket.
(4) Remove clothes promptly after washing.

I hope this helps. We were really frustrated when we intially were dealing with this issue.

J.

When done with a load. Leave the door open to air out. You do not need to shut it. They have made the seal so tight. That is causing less hair to flow while it is closed. We had one just recently. So I left the door open to the washer. No more mildew smell or like your's mold.

A.

We had our front loader also in Texas. Near Austin.

I have a front loader HE washer, too. I use bleach in the washer, and leave it open almost constantly. I try to dry out the rubber gasket when I'm done with the laundry for the day. There are also these tablets you can use once a month in your washer. They're called "AFFRESH", and they're available at Best Buy. They help with the mildew smell. You should give them a try! Good luck, and God bless!!!!!

my mom has a whirlpool and she called the company and they told her what to do, I cant remember all she had to do but she now has to leave the door open to the washer to air dry after the load. Try calling the 800 # ont he machine, they would know what to do
Good luck!

Hi E. -

Did you get a warranty on this? If so call them. If not, call the place where you got it and talk with them - it may be covered for a year, etc... on such things. I have found the manufacturer to know about how to handle these things. And, this should not be happening. It is a defect and they need to take care of it - I would push on this with the makers/sellers and demand they fix the problem.

Good luck,
Alli

run the washing machine a few times with bleach only.. After running the machine, get a dry cloth and wipe really well around the rubber and inside the washer. Also, leave the door open several times a week after washing. We had the same thing happen, I was about to get rid of it, and then I read in the manual to do this, I have never had a problem since.

When my husband and I were checking these washers out at lowes, the sales guy said you should run an empty load of just bleach and water about once a week to keep the mildew to a minimum. He also said that after you are done washing clothes try and leave the door open on the washer so that it can dry out. Hope this helps.

Have you tryed vinegar? I know bleach will work but may be hard on gasket. Do you leave door open to let washer dry out after last load?. Good luck

E.-- I wonder if you could spray some X14 mildew remover (sold with all the other cleaning supplies in the grocery store-- I think it's with the bathroom spray cleaners) on some paper towels and clean it with that? Or maybe spray the X14 directly on the rubber? I know X14 works great on removing little spots of mildew from tile in the shower. I've never tried it on rubber, but it's great in the shower-- you can spray it and leave it, and it gets rid of mildew.Maybe test it on a small area? Good luck!
~B.

I also have an HE front load washer. I was told by the "washer man" to put a cup of dish detergent (the powder kind) and let it "quick wash" this has worked for me....

I have found by using all-natural detergent with an added cup of vinegar to each wash has kept the mold completely out of the washer and at the end of each day I leave the door open to air it out.

I wipe the door with an all natural product called Solumel that works wonders....

Hope this advice helps you!!!

I work for a company who has some awesome cleaners that can help you out as well as be safe for your family.

B.
www.MyToxinFreeHome.com

I have a similar issue with an LG frontloader, what I do is simply wipe the gasket (boot) down with white vinegar until there is no more funky stuff coming off on my rag or papertowel. Then you MUST leave the door open between washes so that the boot can dry.

It's worked well for me.

I tried affresh, bleach, vinegar, and finally the tide cleaner. Tide worked best, but still seeing it underneath when I pull it back from the drum. I am having to have a repair company come out (sears.com) and clean out the mold from behind the gasket, underneath the lip that sits touching the drum, or replace it if its really bad. I couldn't figure out how to get it out and scared I won't be able to put it back together after seeing posts responding to you. I actually think its between the casing and the drum as well. Good luck.

Yes , I work for sears , so I know about this . They have some cleaning tablets to put in ur washer basket ( or should ) that u can buy from the place where u bought it . Also u can call 1-800- for- my -home and ask where they are sold . Btw , did u buy the extended warranty , if u did they come and maintain it for u . and fix whatever is wrong with it . God bless , G. have a great Day.

At Lowes, etc. they have these little packets of cleaner for that problem. I leave my washer door open so that it will dry out when not in use. Good luck!

I can't get it to go away, but I take a rag soaked with bleach and wipe the gasket well all around and inside. I also keep the door open more often than not so it can dry out between loads. I don't have the mildew smell anymore, but the actual mold won't go away even with the bleach. The good news is that it doesn't seem to break down the gasket or affect the integrity of the rubber.

Hey E. - It is amazing what vinegar will do...try it! H. B

There is actually a cleaning method for this problem which is VERY common in front loading washing machines. Try google and do a search, one company even has a cleaner designed specifically for this.
Two things I do after I am done doing laundry is first I empty the detergent drawer, remove any compartments and drain it in the sink, let that air dry. Also, I leave my washing machine door OPEN when not in use. Mold grows only in moist conditions so if you dry it out, it should help.
If you cant find the cleaner I mentioned, I will try and dig up where I saw it, it's been about a year.

try a solution of half peroxide and half water you will be amazed,peroxide is a wonderful cleaning agent with the mold you may have to go a little stroger ,but it is great for cleaning the bath room,kitchen,any where yes i'm talking about the brown bottle you can get anywhere great mouth wash its uses are unlimited
L.

Try leaving the door open at night to dry out, if small children around find a way to keep them out a lock a gate etc. The danger of a open washer door. It may be that the heat and moisture and they fact that it is never drying out is what the problem is. Clean before hand with some bleach and water mixture at least once a week also. Hope that this works for you. good luck

Morning E.;

Spray it with Bleach, let it set for 10 mintues then wash
it with water, then repeat, spay it with bleach again and
this time let it set and dry!

More than likely there is a "Fold" in the plastic, so make
sure that the bleach gets inside that fold!
Good Luck
B. C

You can actually contact the 1800 phone number on the front of the washing maching. When you call them tell them your problem and for like $10.00 they have a solution you can buy to put in the machine to get rid of it. I had that problem until I bought a stainless steel machine. My husband (Love him to death for trying) would forget to take the clothes out and they would spoil!! YUK~~

Can you run apple cider vinegar through it and leave the door open?

I really don't know. Just a thought.

Good luck!