Mold in Your Washing Machine & Laundry Room (How to Fix It)

Does your laundry smell musty even when it is clean? Your washing machine is probably the culprit. Front-loading washers especially trap moisture in the rubber door gasket and drum, and that damp, dark, detergent-residue environment is perfect for mold. The good news: a moldy washing machine is usually a DIY fix. Here is how to clean it, keep it from coming back, and know when a musty laundry room points to a bigger mold problem.

Why Washing Machines Get Moldy

Modern high-efficiency front-loaders use less water and seal tightly, which is great for efficiency but keeps the interior damp between loads. Moisture collects in the rubber gasket, the detergent drawer, and the drum, and combines with soap scum and lint to feed mold. In Houston’s humidity, a machine left closed after a wash almost invites it.

How to Clean a Moldy Washing Machine

1. Wipe the rubber gasket thoroughly, pulling it back gently to reach the folds where mold hides.
2. Clean the detergent drawer, remove it if possible and scrub away buildup.
3. Run a hot cycle empty with a washing-machine cleaner, or with white vinegar, to sanitize the drum. Never mix cleaners.
4. Wipe the drum and door dry.
5. Leave the door open between loads so the interior can dry out.

For more on what does and does not kill mold, see Does Vinegar Kill Mold?

When the Whole Laundry Room Smells Musty

If the musty smell lingers even after cleaning the machine, the problem may be bigger than the appliance. Laundry rooms combine water lines, humidity, and often poor ventilation, so mold can grow behind the machine, under flooring, or inside the wall from a slow supply-line or drain leak. That is hidden mold territory.

How to Prevent Washing Machine and Laundry Room Mold

• Leave the washer door and detergent drawer open between uses
• Wipe the gasket dry after heavy loads
• Run a monthly cleaning cycle
• Do not leave wet laundry sitting in the drum
• Make sure the laundry room is ventilated and check periodically for leaks behind the machine

More prevention tips: How to Prevent Mold in Your Houston Home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my washing machine smell like mold?

Moisture and detergent residue collect in the gasket, drawer, and drum of front-loaders and grow mold. Cleaning those areas and leaving the door open between loads fixes it.

Is washing machine mold dangerous?

It can transfer musty odors to clothes and, like other indoor mold, may trigger allergy symptoms in sensitive people. Cleaning the machine resolves it.

My laundry room still smells musty after cleaning the washer. Why?

There may be hidden mold behind or under the machine from a slow leak, or in the walls. If the smell persists, a professional inspection can locate it.