What to do if mold appears in the washing machine?

Mold in the washing machine The presence of an automatic washing machine will no longer surprise anyone. It is very convenient and comfortable to use; washing does not take much time, unlike using a simple machine, but troubles can also await. If you suddenly feel musty and damp, and dark spots have formed on the seal ring, this means that black mold has grown in the washing machine and you need to take immediate action before it spreads throughout the entire unit. If its distribution is severely neglected, some parts may need to be changed.

Many housewives would like to know how to clean mold from a washing machine and what contributes to its appearance, and this is:

warm air;
excess humidity;
unventilated room.

Its spores can spread in very significant quantities in the air of an apartment or house. By breathing them, people with weakened immune systems may suffer from frequent headaches and may acquire chronic diseases, including bronchial asthma. It is simply necessary to clean the washing machine from this infection.

Causes of mold and ways to prevent it

Smells like mold from the washing machine The nature of mold has nothing to do with animals or plants - it is a fungus, and in order not to plunge into the problem of how to clean a washing machine from fungus, you need to know why it appears.

Mold can appear when washing at low temperatures, using washing powder without bleaches, and frequent use of rinse aids. If the scale is not removed, mold will certainly be where it is. High temperatures (over 60*C) disinfect the car, which does not happen at low temperatures.

Bleach contains chemically active substances that prevent the appearance of fungus. The fabric softener used during rinsing can leave a slimy residue on the walls of the drum - fertile ground for mold spores. Cleaning the washing machine from mold, if spores have appeared, with hot water is useless, they are no longer afraid of it. Warmth and dampness are the most favorable conditions for the proliferation of mold colonies and to prevent this, drastic measures will be required.

In order not to look for information on how to clean a washing machine, you need to adhere to the simplest rules for caring for it, and those who follow them do not encounter this problem. From time to time it is necessary to clean the scale.

If mold is present, things will acquire an unpleasant odor and people's health will be at risk. If a fungus appears, you should not despair, but you should prepare for a long fight against it. Removing mold from your washing machine will require patience.

Some preventive measures can help avoid this infection:

After washing, there should be no water left in the drum; the walls and sealing ring should be wiped dry.
Use the recommended washing powder; gel detergents, if used excessively, settle on the walls of the drum and contribute to the appearance of fungus.
Mold will not grow in the washing machine (possibly) if the tray for washing powder and the door are kept ajar; if the machine is in the bathroom, increase the ventilation of the room.
A dark room increases the likelihood of fungus; it is better to keep the machine in the kitchen.
Water from the kitchen sink should not get into the machine.

Effective measures against mold

Washing machine drum It is easier to prevent the appearance of fungal spores than to fight them. Cleaning a washing machine from mold requires drastic measures. It is necessary to eliminate the causes of its occurrence. Mold does not like dryness, high temperatures and cannot withstand exposure to acids. It appears not only on the sealing ring and on the inner walls of the drum, but also on external and hard-to-reach places. Therefore, you should not calm down after the first attempt; if it is no longer visible, it may return.

So, how to clean an automatic washing machine if fungal spores have appeared, there are several simple but effective ways:

Regularly use the boiling washing mode; the high temperature of the wash will kill the spores in the bud and prevent them from multiplying.
You should not overuse gel-based laundry detergents; their sediment can contribute to the appearance of fungal spores.
Baking soda will help get rid of mold if you mix it with water (1:1) and regularly wipe the internal surfaces of the machine.
The problem of how to remove mold can be effectively solved with the help of citric acid, by pouring it instead of powders into a long-term wash at a temperature of at least 60 degrees (once every 3 to 6 months).
Cleaning will be more effective if you add a glass of bleach to the citric acid directly into the drum.
Wipe the sealing ring with a solution of copper sulfate and leave for a day, then rinse.
White vinegar will help solve the problem.

Knowing how to prevent the appearance of mold and how to deal with it, the task of how to remove mold from a washing machine will no longer seem so insurmountable. It should be remembered that preventing the appearance of fungus is easier than getting rid of it.You should not neglect the systematic cleaning of the filter and hoses, this is where mold spores can settle. It is better to remove the powder tray after each wash and dry it.