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Front Load Washing Machine Seal Cleaner
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Front Load Washing Machine Seal Cleaner
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I own my first front load washing machine. I never had an issue with smell or cleanliness of my top load machine, but now find that my machine will retain a smell. I have found one product that deals with that issue, but my other issues are that water traps in the rubber seal with lint, and sit there, as well as the rubber seal that goes around the entry and up to the door, has a gross, brown looking stain. I wish there was an easy application product designed to remove the stain.
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HI, Beth. I, too, have a front load washer (an LG). When you finish a load, use a dry Sham Wow on all the rubber seals, including the one just inside the washer that only the end of your baby finger fits into. Get them nice and dry and be sure to dry out the inside of the machine, too. Also make sure the door is left slightly ajar rather than closing it all the way. I don't have any stains on my seals, but I spray them once a month with Green Works All Purpose Cleaner then wipe them dry with a Sham Wow. There's a possibility that Green Works washing machine cleaner could help remove these stains, but I'm not sure whether it's safe to use on the gaskets. Perhaps Green Works could develop a rubber-friendly spray or pre-loaded sponge specifically made to remove mold and inhibit its growth on these gaskets. In the meantime, you might want to try using vinegar on the stains, letting it sit for about five minutes, then rinsing with water and drying with a Sham Wow. It's also possible that an original Magic Sponge (competitor alert) might remove the stains but I'm not sure whether it would damage the gasket.
One other thing to keep in mind: mold grows when the humidity reaches 65% and goes nuts when it hits 75% or more, especially when there is a lot of moisture in the air and the room temperature is below 70 degrees. Try and make sure the temperature in your laundry room is between 68 and 70 degrees and you have good air circulation in your laundry area. Mine is in an outdoor shed that I only heat on rare occasions, but I leave the door open to the shed most of the time so there's always air moving in and out of it.
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I have a similar problem. I now leave my washer door open to "dry out", and wipe it down about one a week with clorox bleach wipes. It keeps the problem in check, but it is a pain to have to maintain my expensive washer like this. I also have a strong, large magnet that I put over the button that comtrols the light while I dry it out during the day. Probably not safe if you have small children or pets that could get in!
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Hi, Peewee...if you're not using a washing machine cleaner, check out http://www.clorox.com/products/clorox-washing-machine-cleaner/index/ Here in Northern CA it's difficult to find a lot of the Clorox products. If you can't find their washing machine cleaner in your area, you can order it from Amazon or Soap.com for $4.25.
I'm not sure whether this washing machine cleaner can be used on the gaskets, but it should make a big difference in the way your machine smells if you use it every month. Good idea to wipe it dry every time you do a load, too. My LG's door has a built in magnet to keep the door slightly open. You could remove the bulb in your washer if it doesn't make much of a difference when you're unloading/loading clothes or see if there's an option to turn off the light in your washer. You might want to consider that rather than putting the magnet over the button that controls the light. You could also put a magnet on the area where the door closes to keep it open. Entry by pets wouldn't be a problem if it's a strong magnet and the door is only open by about 1/4-1/2".
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Thanks everyone for your input. Unfortunately, my washing machine is located directly in front of the door to my garage, so unless I remember to open it before I go to bed, I have to keep it closed or risk it getting bashed into. I have a famly of 7 and run on average 2-3 loads of laundry per day. We purchased the HE front load machine to reduce our water and electric consumption and have been please in that regard. But next time I will be purchasing a top load HE washing machine. I hate how the seal always has sitting water and hair / lint that builds up. I do try to clean it out but never had to complete so much maintenance on my old top load machine. I did read the link to the product that reduces the smell and aids in cleaning the machine and it does sounds like a great product. It would be nice if Clorox made a similar type product. It sounds like it may acheive the results I am seeking, but I hate to buy a product over the Internet in a large quanity, pay for shipping, and then discover it doesn't work. I know they sell this way to reduce overhead on their end, but would love to have access to a product sold at a local store that I could try before I invest in a large container. I'm glad that I am not the only one experiencing this issue. Washing machines were designed to help us streamline the laundry process, but the front load machines seems to cause more issues with "sour smell" and mold that result in additional cleaning.
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Beth - that link is for CLOROX WASHING MACHINE CLEANER. If you buy it from Amazon and it doesn't work, send it back for a refund. They're good about that, and at $4.99 it's not a huge amount of money if it doesn't work. I use Lavendar scented Clorox twice a month in my machine on the "clean" setting. Also, a 1/2" magnet between the door and the frame would keep the door open for circulation but not enough to allow it to be bashed in since it wouldn't stick out beyond the frame of the machine. Just my 2 cents..
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