How To Get Mold Smell Out Of A Top-Load Washer

Mold is a common problem in washing machines, among other items and areas in your home. The dark and damp conditions inside a washing machine provide the perfect growing environment for mold. If mold is growing inside your top-load washing machine, it can fill your home with a musty odor and spread to other areas via mold spores. When dealing with mold in your top-load washing machine, you must remove the surface mold as well as the mold growing in pipes and other hidden areas.

Step 1

Saturate a white cloth with bleach and wipe it across all of the surface mold that you see inside your top-load washing machine.

Step 2

Set the washer's water temperature to the hottest setting and fill the drum with hot water.

Step 3

Pour 1 to 2 cups of bleach into the water. For a non-caustic method, replace the bleach with equal amounts of white vinegar.

Step 4

Run your washing machine through a complete cycle.

Step 5

Fill a sink with hot water. Add a few drops of liquid dish soap and 1 cup of white vinegar. Detach the fabric softener receptacle and submerge it in the sink.

Step 6

Soak the fabric softener receptacle in the mixture for 30 minutes.

Step 7

Wash the receptacle with the mixture and a cloth. Rinse it with cool water and dry it with a towel, then put it back in its place.

Step 1

Leave your washing machine's door open when you're not using it. This allows the washer to air out and dry, reducing the chance of mold growth.

Step 2

Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the rinse cycle. Performing this step every few loads reduces the possibility of mold and mildew growth, and removes unpleasant odors

Step 3

Remove clothing as soon as the washing machine has finished its cycle. Damp clothing that is left to sit inside the washing machine for too long increases the possibility of mold growth on the garments and inside the washing machine.