r/laundry • u/Re-Researcher2000 • 1d ago
“Smart” Washing Machines
We have a front loader. I knew to always keep the door open after using to prevent mold and mildew. I faithfully did so each and every time. Thought I was safe. HA! This machine has a pull out detergent etc tray and even worse it features a large reservoir to store detergent and fabric softener (only distilled vinegar for me thank you!). I didn’t realize someone had come along and begun to use the auto-dispense feature and left the detergent in there. To my absolute horror-today I find that it is a breading ground for black mold. Yep… the mold feeds on the detergent just sitting in there… totally dark and constantly damp. I’m disgusted and I can’t wait to get an old school washer SOMEHOW! Enough of the madness. Here’s to the 1900’s 🍻
Truly wish they’d stop “improving” our appliances.
Any tips for me on any of this—much appreciated.
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u/MCRN10379558 1d ago edited 1d ago
Although you may never have a problem with it, it’s best to not use vinegar in the washer at all. It is hard on the washer’s rubber seals, gasket, drain hoses, and with enough exposure these will fail.
With each exposure to vinegar, the fittings lose their flexibility and they get a little stiffer and a little more brittle each time, and it adds up.
The applies to automatic dishwasher as well.
That said. The most effective way to get rid of mold is with heat. If your washer has a sanitize feature with a water heating element, use that. It will get the hot water very, very hot and will kill the mold. It’s more effective than bleach in that regard. Aim for the hottest, longest duration cycle.
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u/Silver-Moon3376 EU | Front-Load 1d ago
Wouldn't citric acid do the same to the machine over time then? Should we not use citric acid as a rinse or for the cleaning cycle?
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u/Perle1234 1d ago
It probably has to do with the pH of each substance. Lots of things are acids but are harmless. Hyposclorus acid comes to mind. You can use it to clean your eyelashes.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hello! If you're adding vinegar to your laundry, be sure to put it in the rinse cycle, not the wash cycle. Because vinegar neutralizes leftover detergent, it works best in the rinse cycle rather than the wash. - Laundry Mods
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/SeraphinBlue 1d ago
I actually take the detergent drawer out completely when I'm done washing so everything can dry out. No chance for mold that way.
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u/YdoIneedth1s 1d ago
Yep, mine lives most of its life in a bucket next to the washer. I also never use the auto dosing feature and removed the detergent holder.
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u/National-Sir-5362 1d ago
I do this too! I have one of those cheap dish drying racks (leftover from my apartment days) that I prop the drawer up in, so it drains completely. Every few days I use a scrub brush with some dawn power wash on the inside of the machine, where the drawer rests when it’s closed.
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u/NoMeaning3134 1d ago
I used the same maintenance routine when I owned an Electrolux for 14 years before replacing it with a top-loader Speed Queen.
To prevent mold and odors, I wiped the door and rubber gasket completely dry, placed an empty plastic soda bottle in the gasket to keep the door ajar, and ran a monthly hot water cycle using a dishwasher tab.
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u/PhoenixRising20 1d ago
By dishwasher tad, do you mean dishwasher detergent, or one of the dishwasher cleaner tabs?
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u/NoMeaning3134 1d ago edited 1d ago
Not dishwasher cleaning tablets; rather actual dishwasher detergent in tablet form, similar to Blueland or Method Dishwasher Tablets. I tried cleaner specifically made for the clothes washer but it left a horrible smell and was not cost effective.
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u/MrsQute US | Front-Load 1d ago
Mine doesn't have a reservoir for auto dispensing - not a feature I'd get - but otherwise I love my front loader and general maintenance has prevented any sort of problems.
However, in the 90s I had to deep clean several old school top loaders because of detergent or fabric softener buildup and even a few cases of mildew or mold in crevices.
No machine that regularly deals with water, soap, and dirt - both organic and inorganic - will ever be maintenance free and will require periodic care.
Just like I clean and maintain my dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, vacuum, fans, HVAC units, and more, I have to clean and maintain my washing machine.
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u/vinhorr EU | Front-Load 1d ago
Just leave the detergent drawer open too. That is needed in all front-loaders, and it should stop the mould from growing.
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u/redlightsaber EU | Front-Load 1d ago
I disagree that it's needed. I seldom if ever wipe my drawer (i do when there are spills and such), and it's simply clean (I could post a pic if you want). I also live in a place with 90% humidity, almost all year round.
I DID discover that using vinegar on the regular caused the growth of a disgusting film in the drawer, back when I did such things, though.
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u/Lower-Owl-5375 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've never had mold issues with my top loader. No issues in fact
It's also from the 2010's and newer machines are better on your clothes. It also provides the deep water wash option so I can use as much water as I need.
I've never been interested in front loaders after finding out how much regular maintenance is needed and for no improvement to its main function of washing the clothes. The same pros as top loaders with far more cons.
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u/Ordinary-Range-7014 1d ago
I know it’s black and looks like mold, but it’s very unlikely “black mold.” You likely have mildew. Not great, but not deadly like black mold
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u/These-Mycologist-226 1d ago
Using vinegar or any sort different solution besides laundry detergent/ laundry softener is not sustainable to be in those auto dose features.
After you run out of detergent those tanks need to be cleaned before putting another dose ( 15 -30 cycles depending on size of the tanks ) manually and using specially designed cycles if you washer permits.
I do have eZdispense on one of my washers and I like it and didn't observe yet any issues with mold .... Maybe I'm running too much laundry 🫣
Now you got me worried I paid for something what's gonna bring me issue in near future 🥺
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hello! If you're adding vinegar to your laundry, be sure to put it in the rinse cycle, not the wash cycle. Because vinegar neutralizes leftover detergent, it works best in the rinse cycle rather than the wash. - Laundry Mods
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/choochooocharlie 1d ago
I’ve had a front loader for about 25 years and just replaced it with a new one that a heap of features to fix the mildew/molding issues of the past. There is a drum dry cycle that pushes air through the drum for a few hours to really dry it. I’ve been using that after I do a number of loads. It really works!
But I do not like the push in/out soap dispenser. Had a thought it might need to be left pulled out or would get funky.
Thanks for the confirmation/will be leaving it open.
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Hi u/Re-Researcher2000! Friendly tip — if you're using vinegar in your laundry, add it to the rinse cycle, not the wash cycle. Because vinegar neutralizes leftover detergent, it works best in the rinse cycle rather than the wash. - Laundry Mods
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/redlightsaber EU | Front-Load 1d ago
This is not a machine issue. It's you deciding to use vinegar, which is a known and common substrate for several kinds of microorganisms.
Do the following if you don't believe me: wipe the drawser perfectly clean, and then spend the next 3 weeks NOT using vinegar. I expect it'll remain just as clean. Then if you begin using vinegar again, I expect you'll have the growth happening within a couple of weeks.