How to Clean Mold in Washers and Other Appliances

How To Remove Mold From a Washing Machine

When removing mold from a washing machine, whether it’s a top load or front load model, it’s important to thoroughly clean both the hidden and visible areas of the appliance where mold can grow. Mold growth can occur in places such as the drum, the rubber gasket in front load machines and any other location on the appliance where moisture accumulates.

Follow these steps to efficiently clean and remove mold from your washing machine.

3. Add Bleach and Begin the Wash Cycle

Add liquid chlorine bleach to the washer drum or bleach dispenser, start your washer and allow it to run a full cycle. Running a normal wash cycle combined with the hot water and chlorine bleach will help remove any mold that is located within the drainage lines.

4. Scrub the Washer Door

Use a soft microfiber cloth to dry around the washer’s door and other gaskets after the normal wash cycle is complete. When cleaning a front load washing machine, gently peel back the flexible part of the door gasket to clean the inside. This is a common area for the washer to accumulate buildup, grime and dirt which can result in mold growth.

To clean this area, wear protective gloves and dip a clean cloth into a 10% bleach solution. Scrub the door until all the mold is removed. Once the mold is gone, dry the area completely with a soft, clean cloth.

6. Clean the Lint Trap

Most washing machine models have a lint trap or filter that needs to be cleaned on a regular basis. This compartment can accumulate buildup, which can lead to mold growth over time. Consult your washer’s manual to determine where the lint trap is located and how to remove it.

Remove the lint trap and clean away buildup or mold with a cloth dipped in a bleach and water solution. Thoroughly rinse the lint filter and allow it to fully air dry after cleaning before placing it back into the washer.

Using affresh® washing machine cleaner on a regular basis can help keep your washing machine clean and free of odor-causing residues and grime that can lead to mold growth over time.

How Do You Get Rid of Mold in a Dishwasher?

Use a mixture or warm water and soap to clean mold from your dishwasher. Remove dishwasher racks, rotor and drain strainer if possible and soak them in a sink. Use a scrub brush dipped in soapy water to clean the interior of the dishwasher.

Make sure to thoroughly scrub all of the rubber and plastic parts of the dishwasher as these can be common places for mold growth. Use the soap and water mixture to also scrub the seal around the dishwasher door, folding it back while scrubbing for a thorough cleaning.

After you’ve finished scrubbing away any mold in the dishwasher, use an affresh® dishwasher cleaner tablet to remove any lingering limescale or buildup. A single tablet cleans your entire dishwasher including your machine’s tub, racks, pump and valve, drain and recirculation hoses. Using affresh® dishwasher cleaner monthly can help prevent excessive residue and buildup from accumulating.

How Do You Get Rid of Mold in a Coffee Maker?

Use a cleaning solution of equal parts vinegar and water to remove mold from your coffee maker through the descaling process. If your coffee maker has a water tank, fill the tank with the cleaning mixture and let the machine brew until it is half full. Rinse out any remaining residue after the brewing is complete.

If you are cleaning a single-serve coffee maker, pour the vinegar and water cleaning mixture into the water reservoir and then brew a single cup as you normally would. Make sure to remove any coffee pods before cleaning. Wait about 20 to 30 minutes after cleaning and then run clean water through the machine to flush out any remaining residue.

If you want to deep clean your coffee maker without the odor of vinegar, affresh® coffee maker cleaning tablets work to descale your coffee maker by fighting hard water deposits and mineral buildup that’s accumulated in your appliance. These tablets are also compatible with both multi-cup and single-serve coffee makers. Discover more tips and techniques for maintaining clean appliances.

How Do You Get Rid of Mold in an Ice Maker?

Make sure the ice bin is empty before you begin cleaning. Use a funnel to add 3 cups of vinegar to the water line located inside your ice maker and then turn on the appliance to allow the vinegar to thoroughly run through. Place a cup underneath your ice maker to catch any vinegar and water that drains out during the cleaning process.

If needed, you can then use a scrub brush to scrub the dispenser and inside of the ice maker to remove any stubborn remaining residue.

For a deeper clean, you can use affresh® ice machine cleaner to clean most types of freestanding and ice machine makes and models. These tablets are specially designed to remove stubborn hard water and mineral buildup and ensure your appliance is clean so you can enjoy great tasting ice.