If your “clean” laundry smells musty, the washer itself may be the problem. Washing machines stay damp, collect soap and fabric softener residue, and often sit closed between loads. In Florida’s humidity, that’s a perfect setup for mold and mildew, especially in front-load machines.
Where Mold Hides in a Washer
- The rubber door gasket on front-loaders, especially the folds at the bottom
- The detergent and fabric softener dispenser drawer
- Under the rim and lid of top-loaders
- The drain pump filter (many front-loaders have one behind a small panel at the bottom)
How to Clean a Moldy Washing Machine
Check your owner’s manual first. Many machines have a “tub clean” cycle and specific instructions on which cleaners are safe.
- Clean the gasket. Wearing gloves, pull back the folds and wipe out hair, gunk and black spots with a cloth and a mild cleaner, or a washer cleaner your manual allows. Use an old toothbrush on stubborn spots.
- Remove and wash the dispenser drawer in warm soapy water, and clean the opening it slides into.
- Run a cleaning cycle. Use the tub-clean setting or the hottest, longest cycle with a washer cleaner tablet or the cleaner your manual recommends. Run it empty.
- Clean the drain pump filter if your machine has one. Put a towel and shallow pan down first; water will come out.
- Wipe everything dry and leave the door open.
Never mix bleach with vinegar, ammonia or other cleaners, and don’t run them back to back in the same cycle. See bleach vs. vinegar vs. hydrogen peroxide.
Habits That Keep Your Washer Fresh
- Leave the door and dispenser drawer cracked open between loads
- Move wet laundry to the dryer right away
- Wipe the gasket dry after the last load of the day
- Use the right amount of HE detergent; extra soap leaves residue mold feeds on
- Run a cleaning cycle about once a month
When the Problem Is Behind the Washer
If the laundry room smells musty even after the washer is clean, look behind and under it. Leaking supply hoses, a loose drain hose or a slow drip at the shutoff valves can soak the wall and floor without anyone noticing. Signs include swollen baseboards, stains on the wall behind the machine, or soft flooring. Braided steel supply hoses are a smart upgrade. For more, read how to spot hidden water damage and what a musty smell means in a Florida home.
Free Visual Inspection in South Florida
If you suspect a leak behind the washer, FL Cleanup offers a free visual inspection with moisture readings and an infrared (thermal) camera across South Florida, and handles licensed mold remediation and drying. We answer 24/7, and hablamos español. Call 877-224-2532 or request a free visual inspection online.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews.
