Someone recently asked a question about front loading washing machines. This morning on one of the morning shows they did a piece on front loaders, and it turns out that many of them are having some pretty nasty-looking mold problems. I haven't personally had that problem with my front-loader, but I wanted to share. So, for the person who is considering buying a front loader, and the other person who said that she had recently purchased a front loader and her clothes reek, I wanted to let you know this.
They do recommend doing bleach rinses, and leaving the door open, and some companies are selling tablets to help remedy the problem. Apparently the newer models are being revamped to address this problem.
So, since this has to be a question: what have you discovered today?
Mymission - Lol. I was cutting cilantro the other day, and thinking, am I supposed to leave the stems on? (I'm not much of a cook.)
Yes, I'm going to do a bleach rinse the second I get off the site.
My manual suggests leaving the odor open after use. They are water/air tight, after all, so if you close the door when not in use, it makes sense there'd be smell/mold problems. Mine is nearing 7 years old, and I haven't had any issues with mold or smells. And I don't run the "cleaning cycle " but maybe once a year!
(I do use vinegar as my rinse/fabric softener, though).
If I could take a sledge hammer to my front loader it was be a joyous day!!
i have front loaders and HATE HATE HATE them. The dryer is great but the washer is awful with the mold. Anyone who is getting one. Make sure you leave the door open after your done washing. also leave the soap drawer open. pull that soap drawer out at least once a week and rinse it good. the mold problem is awful.
What did I discover today?
1. Alcohol wipes will get red dye off your scalp!
2. Mammograms HURT, dang it!!!!!!!!!!!! I guess I should say, I REdiscovered that. It had been a long time!! :(
ETA: As for washers, I have a top loading washer with no agitator! LOVE it because I can wash blankets and quilts without a problem. It is a pain when the jeans get all twisted up, but other than that, I love it. About once a month I put bleach in the soap dispenser and run the "clean washer" cycle. A repair man who came to work on my dryer told me to do that. He said the expensive tablets work but bleach in the soap dispenser is just as good.
Yuck! Thx for the heads up. I have a 14 yr old washer and I figure i will have to break down and get a washer soon! But not till it dies!
I can't think of anything as applicable, today.
I just made cranberry salsa and was thinking, why isn't there a better way to clean the stems from cilantro?
I've had my new Samsung set about 6 weeks...NO issues whatsoever and I LOVE them.
I do wipe the washer down after a wash and leave a towel hanging out of it to absorb and moisture. I use mine daily and will wipe the seal with a Clorox wipe at the end of the day.
I make my last wash towels and add bleach to help clean it.
I had a Maytag over 12 yes that was one of the gross ones. No matter what I did, that thing molded.
Love my Samsung
I love my front loader. I leave the door and the soap cup open in between washes and I wipe the door gasket out. I wash my shower curtain in it with hot water and bleach about once a month. The rest of my laundry is done with cold water. My clothes come out clean and I don't get any odors. Mine is nearly two years old and is a pretty basic model. It uses such a small amount of water and spins the clothes so dry they hardly have to be in the dryer!
I've had one for only a handful of months but aside from leaving the doors open, drying the gasket and running a bleach cycle, mine also came with instructions to empty the filter every month. I get several cups of water out each time.
I know my mother-in-law has the Maytag front loaders and has always had mold/smell problems. I broke down and got a Samsung front loader two years ago and love the thing. I leave the door open and don't do anything else special to clean it, and I've never had a problem with it or my clothes smelling so I'm pretty sure there are no mold issues. I saw the Today Show piece and wow, some of that mold was atrocious.
Ironic this question is being posed. We have had a repairman here for 6 hours trying to fix the rubber seal on our front loader plus costs over $200.00.....go figure. ( ;
I have had front load washer for 14 + years. Never run a clean cycle and leave the door open after every use. Only had one repair that was under warranty (the front seal) so long ago I cant remember when it was done.
I love that we can fill the washer up and still have room for more. Our clothes don't get that worn look as fast as with a top load with an agitator.
Have never looked back fondly on my top load washer!!
Good to know! I haven't had a problem with my front loader in five years, but I should probably take better care of it to keep it that way. Thanks for the heads up!
It was pretty clear in the hand book with mine that you are supposed to wash the machine every month or so to avoid mold. You can use bleach, but the powder they sell for the purpose works better. My machine reminds you to run a wash cycle every 30 loads.
I absolutely detest my front-loader (LG) and will NEVER buy another one.
Ugh.
I learned you don't have to buy "magic" erasers for the walls necessarily. I used a regular one and got some marks off the wall.
As for the front loader, I've never had issues with mold. My husband gets very dirty at work though. The dirt just collects on the front ring. There is no easy way to clean it!! You have to pull it back somewhat, but it won't easily stay back, and stuff a rag in there are far as you can. Then swipe around in the small space. It won't get it all out. Sometimes the clothes have been streaked by this dirt! It's not the best design. Good post!
