How do I clean the front loader washing machine to decrease odor and residue buildup?

When it comes to doing laundry, many people use front loaders because they are more efficient than top loaders. On average, they use 40 percent less water and almost 60 percent less energy. They also clean clothes better. They are not without their problems; and so, if you want to avoid problems, you need to know how to clean a front loading washing machine.

Dangers of a Dirty Washing Machine Mold is a common and dangerous problem with front loaders. Mold and mildew, at best, can cause bad odors in the machine and on your clothes. At worst, mold can make you sick. It grows because dirt, lint and water gathers between the seal of the machine's tub and door, thus creating the ideal atmosphere for the breeding of mold, mildew and other bacteria.
The mold creates inhalable spores, and the bacteria create nasty odors. Inhaled toxic mold spores can cause chronic fatigue; dizziness; eye, nose and throat irritation; fever and flu-like symptoms; headaches; learning disabilities; nausea; severe breathing problems and vomiting. Therefore, it is important that you keep your front-loading washing machine clean and that you keep the area between the door and the tub dry when not in use.

How to Clean a Moldy Washing Machine

If you are wondering if your machine is moldy, it probably is. If you smell a musty, sour or stinky odor coming from your washer or your clothing, you probably have an issue. There are a number of possible solutions, and none of them work for every situation.
Some people have had luck getting rid of mold by changing detergent. Some do well by using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar every few loads. Others have had mixed luck with oxygen-free bleach.
One product many people have had success with is the all-natural Smelly Washer Cleaner product. It works with high-efficiency front-loading washers, and because it is made from citrus, it is safe for the environment. It supposedly cleans by getting rid of the odor: not by masking it.
Another product that is supposed to get rid of the odor rather than mask it is Affresh Washer Cleaner for High-Efficiency (HE) Washers. The manufacturer also claims that the product is eco-friendly and safe for septic systems and appliances. It works by releasing oxygenated bubbles that remove residue buildup that causes odors.
To clean your washing machine without commercial products, use the Acidic Cleaner (click here for the recipe) with some sprinkles of baking soda to clean the rubber door gasket. Try using a soft toothbrush, or one of many small brushes you can find to clean in small crevices, and a soft clean cloth to gently but firmly wipe out the gooey mold. Frankly, If washing the gasket does not get rid of the odor and the mold, you may have to replace the gasket.
Also use the Acidic cleaner and baking soda to clean the soap and softener dispenser. If you can remove the soap dispenser tray, do so, then soak it in the vinegar solution with baking soda for ten minutes and wipe it clean. Also use the solution to clean the hole that houses the dispenser tray, if your appliance has one. Rinse all parts well after cleaning to remove the vinegar and baking soda residue. Spraying just the Acidic cleaner over the surfaces will remove the baking soda, and then water will remove the vinegar.
Again, be sure to rinse and dry everything well. In fact, you should dry all the parts of the machine, including the inside of the door, after each and every use to prevent the growth of smelly mold. Just like we advise after taking a shower to dry the tiles and grout right away, or after cleaning kitchen surfaces to let them dry completely, we advise the same treatment for your front loading washing machine. Mold, mildew and germs like moist surfaces. Eliminate the moisture, and there goes the gunk!
Another part of front loader maintenance is filter cleaning. Manufacturers and models vary, so you need to check your manual for your specific instructions. But typically, it involves opening a small door near the bottom at the front of the machine. Inside, you will find two items: a small hose and a debris filter.
The hose drains leftover water out of the washer, so you need something for the water to drain into. Be prepared, because it might be several gallons worth. After you drain the water from the machine, remove the housing for the debris filter by turning it counterclockwise. Once it is out, clear it of lint and other debris. Before reinserting it, reach behind where it was and check the drain pump impeller with your fingers to be sure it is also clear of debris.
After you have cleaned the above items, run a load of hot water with laundry detergent but no laundry. Adding oxygen-free bleach to the detergent will prevent mold. If your system has an integrated cleaning cycle, use that. If you were having odor issues, run another load afterward using hot water with one cup of baking soda and one of white vinegar.
How to Prevent Mold in a Front-loading Washer In addition to the rubber door gasket, you need to clean the soap dispenser and any other part to which you have access frequently. Because front loaders use very little water, not all substances are rinsed away when the tub empties. This can cause a residue buildup.
Let it Dry!
It is good to leave the washer door open after doing a load. This allows the inner parts to dry out. Dry the soap dispenser and the door gasket by hand with a towel. Also, do not leave wet clothes in the machine for very long - especially all night. Any moisture in the machine will eventually cause mold.
Rather than using powdered detergent, use liquid because it dissolves better and leaves less residue. Also, to reduce residue, use as little detergent as you can while still getting a clean wash. Rather than liquid softener, use softener sheets to reduce moisture.
If you always wash in cold water, do an occasional load in hot water. This will clean out some of the residue buildup. Use a low-sudsing detergent designed for a high-efficiency washer. These washers usually have self-cleaning cycles, and you should use the one on your machine periodically.
As with anything, prevention is better than cure. Becoming a little slack in caring for your front loading washing machine can cause many problems later. And if you are no more fortunate than many other people, you may not be able to get rid of your problems once you have them. So if you haven't done so in a while, go take a look at that washer and get ready for action.

Smelly washers can be cleaned by soaking the "splash area" just above the normal waterline. This is invariably the area of worst area of buildup of odor-causing residue. To compare washing machine cleaners go to or copy and paste
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua6OJPn0-fU

Were the settings appropriate for the clothing?
The settings on the machine should be set properly for the load. Different fabric types require different wash/rinse temperatures, spin speeds, and wash times. Always follow the instructions printed on the fabric care label. The soil level needs to be set in accordance with the load type. Heavily soiled clothing will not come clean with a light soil level setting.
Was the proper detergent used?
If too much detergent is used, or non-HE detergent is used, the machine will not wash properly. Too many suds present during a wash decreases tumbling action and will not rinse out well. Furthermore, detergent residue built up in the machine over time will deposit extra detergent on clothes and deposit soil back into clothing.

Was the washer overloaded? If the machine is overloaded, the machine will not wash and rinse properly. When the washer is overloaded, the clothes have no room to tumble, and the cleaning performance of the washer is reduced. In addition, when the clothes are packed tightly inside the drum the detergent and water will not distribute evenly throughout the items.

Front loaders require regular maintenance to ensure optimum performance. If this maintenance is not followed, residue can accumulate in the drum resulting in detergent and soil being deposited back into clothing. This can also lead to odor and other issues. Perform the required maintenance regularly (once or twice a month).

It is recommended by the manufacturer that you leave the washer door open on all front loaders when not in use or the washer can develop odors, or begin to mold and mildew. Leaving the door open allows the tub air out. Because this is the lowest point of the drain cycle, gravity will always cause residual water to reside in the drain pump and drain lines. The water will NOT evaporate, but it will keep it from becoming sour. The following link explains what some of the common causes of odors in a front loader are and how to prevent them:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r3608512-getting_rid_front_loader_mildew_odor

Newer model Kenmore Elite, Whirlpool Duet and Maytag Epic have a "Cleaning Cycle" button on the front panel. The owner's manual will explain how to use this feature.

If you do not have a cleaning cycle, use the hottest setting you have about once a month with a small amount of bleach to keep the spin basket and wash tub sanitized. I recommend the "Whitest Whites" cycle set on the "Light". This cycle is only 48 minutes.

Read through the link provided and make sure you periodicallt check the drain pump for debris that can cause odors and make sure you are using the correct detergent. If you have any questions, please post back and let me know. I hope this helps you.

These are some good tips. However, leaving the door open between loads decreases odor by drying out the residue which can make the residue difficult to remove. Also, the residue will affect the next wash load.


The only way to have a truly clean washer is to remove the odor-causing residue. The "splash area" just 3-5 inches above the normal waterline is where the worst buildup is. To clean the whole tub use a washer cleaner that is able to be used with clothing in the washer. The added laundry will raise the water level to include the splash area.
There are many washer cleaners on the market. Some are all natural and can be used with laundry to safely clean inside the washing machine. After you get rid of odor you'll need to change your washing habits so it doesn't come back.

My daughter's front loader did the same thing, and she cleaned it with a bleach and water solution, then rinsed with water. we were told that you have to keep the door open to keep it from molding and mildewing.

I found that WasherFresh worked better then the Affresh.  What I really did not like is you cannot touch the Affresh tablets, WasherFresh is contained in a pouch and is not harmful to touch, because of the disolving pouch containing the chemicals.  Also after reading the package the chemicals are not harmful to the environment.
WasherFresh removed the odor causing buildup and I now use it monthly as a preventive maintenance.

At the risk of being rude... it's not your washer that is causing the problem it's your washing habits. Jeff is "right on the money" when he stated water temperature is important. It's fine to use mainly cold water but it makes preventive maintenance very important. A hot soak or wash as your last cycle on was day will help dissolve and flush out residue. Just as important is the amount of detergent used and use of fabric softener. To remove odor from your washer and laundry the "splash area" just above the normal waterline must be cleaned. This is invariably the area of heaviest buildup of odor-causing residue. To clean the splash area add 1 or 2 caps of smelly washer cleaner to a full load of laundry and wash in a hot setting. The added bulk of the laundry will raise the water level to include the splash area. Intermittently pause to soak for more extreme cases.