Q&A for How to Get Rid of Mold Smell in Front Loader Washing Machine

Yes—the washer cleans mud, soil, and dirt from your clothes. These tend to accumulate in your washing machine, which can lead to bacteria and mold growth. Also, moisture from the washer can lead to mold and mildew.

Regularly wipe the mold and mildew from the rubber gasket on the washer. Also, don't leave wet clothes in the washer once they're finished washing, avoid using high-suds detergent, and leave the door of the washing machine open when you're not using it.

Baking powder contains baking soda, but also contains cream of tartar, and sometimes cornstarch.

If you have a kitchen timer, or a timer on your phone, you could set it to how long your clothes need to be washed. Or just pay attention to the time. If you are using warm water with spin level at medium, it should be about 55 minutes.

Run a hot cycle with 2 cups of white vinegar as detergent.

I have an old hand towel that I fold and hang over the door close to the hinge; it keeps the door ajar so the washer drum air drys between laundry days. Helps keep that damp moldy smell under control.

You could. White vinegar is suggested because it is colorless, though. Cider vinegar can leave stains.

Yes. Most people recommend you leave it open to dry, or towel dry it after loads.

Just start with half and half. It's not harmful to the washer, so you can never do too much. Just tweak your amounts until you find something that works.

You should keep it until you become unsatisfied with its performance or reliability, which could take years.

It just has to do with the way it's made. There is a seal when the door is closed that keeps water from escaping.

You might have a hole or leak somewhere. Contact a repair service just to make sure.

Yes, there could be mildew hidden behind the drum. You should regularly wash your washing machine. Different mildew strains are killed by different products. Wash your machine alternating between bleach, white vinegar, baking soda, or a washing machine cleaner (like Afresh). This should get rid of any hidden mildew. You can follow up with a hot water rinse. If you still have problems with smells, you may need to call a technician to help you identify the cause.

Unfortunately, when it gets that bad, nothing much helps but you could try using bleach on a rag and run a cycle. Prevention is best. From now on, dry the gasket after each wash. Keep the door opened after each use, as this helps.

You could use white wine vinegar, but plain white vinegar is much less expensive.