At a Glance:
Problem 1: Mildew Smell in Front Load Washer Models
Problem 2: Mold in Front Load Washer Models
Problem 3: Cleaning a Front Load Washer Drum
Problem 4: Cleaning a Front Load Washer Gasket
Problem 5: Sanitizing a Front Load Washer
6 Best Front Load Washer Picks
Did you know you need to clean your washing machine? Since its purpose is cleaning, this may strike you as funny or odd, proper laundry appliance care matters—especially when it comes to front load washer maintenance. They may be more efficient at cleaning clothes than top washers, but front loaders require more cleaning to prevent common front load washer problems like mold and mildew. With the right upkeep, your washing machine will remain in tip-top shape while simultaneously preventing your wardrobe from snagging unwanted side effects from a dirty washer.
The front load washer cleaning tips in this washer cleaning guide will help you banish front load washer mold and mildew with expert tips for cleaning front load washer parts. New to the front load washer world (or want an upgrade)? Then you’ll also want to check out our top front load washers that will help make laundry day and maintenance a breeze.
Discover the Best Front Load Washer Deals
For a more efficient laundry routine, choose a front load washer from Colder's wide selection.
Shop NowMildew Smell in Front Load Washer Models
Front load washer smells like mildew? Your washer might be smelling funky because of to the accumulation of moisture, detergent residues, and lint in the drum and seals, creating an environment conducive to mold and mildew growth. If you live in a high-humidity environment, this is a major a factor.
How to Get Mildew Smell Out of Front Load Washer
Check out these tips to beat the front load washer mildew smell:
- Clean the drum and seals by wiping down the drum and rubber door seals regularly to remove any visible dirt or residue. If your washer has mildew growth, use a solution of 1:1 bleach and warm water, covering affected areas. Be sure to thoroughly wipe the areas down with a clean towel to prevent bleach stains.
- Clean the drum and seals by wiping down the drum and rubber door seals regularly to remove any visible dirt or residue. If your washer has mildew growth, use a solution of 1:1 bleach and warm water, covering affected areas. Be sure to thoroughly wipe the areas down with a clean towel to prevent bleach stains.
- Run a self-cleaning cycle if your washer has this option.
- When you’re not using your washer, leave the door ajar and the dispenser drawer slightly open.
- When a cycle ends, remove clothes immediately; don’t leave them sitting in the drum where moisture can gather
- Use a fan or dehumidifier to improve airflow and decrease humidity in your laundry area.
- After performing these steps, protect your work by leaving the washer door ajar to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Mold in Front Load Washer Models
Similar to that mildew smell, mold can develop in your washer due to the combination of moisture, warmth, and detergent residues, creating an ideal environment moldy growth. Insufficient ventilation and leaving the washer door closed between cycles contribute to this issue, but with regular cleaning and proper maintenance, it’s easy to prevent mold formation.
How to Remove Mold from Front Load Washer
Learning how to clean mold from front load washer is critical for a “healthy” front load washer. Follow these tips and you should be set:
- Remove the detergent dispenser and any removable parts.
- Clean these parts in a solution of water and vinegar, or use warm soapy water, and wipe down the area where the dispenser sits in the washer
- Then, empty the washer and set it to the hottest water setting, adding two cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum; run a complete wash cycle without any laundry.
- After the vinegar wash, sprinkle baking soda inside the drum and around the rubber door seal.
- Run another cycle at the hottest water setting.
- Finally, consult your washer's manual to locate and clean the filter and drain pump. This step helps remove any trapped lint, debris, or mold.
Cleaning a Front Load Washer Drum
Your front load washer drum may be dirty due to a combination of factors, including detergent residue, lint build-up, and moisture accumulation. Inadequate ventilation, using too much detergent, and leaving the door closed between cycles can create an environment conducive to mold and mildew growth, leading to a dirty drum.
Tips for Cleaning Drum of Front Load Washer Machines
With what seems like millions of perforations, cleaning a washer drum can feel intimidating, but luckily, the steps are simple, and it only needs to be done occasionally for effective results. Here’s what to do.
- Mix equal parts water and white vinegar.
- Dampen a cloth or sponge in the solution and wipe the rubber door seal, paying attention to crevices where mold may accumulate.
- Next, set the washer to the hottest water setting, adding two cups of white vinegar to the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum.
- Run a complete wash cycle without any laundry.
- After the cleaning cycle, open the door and wipe down the drum with a cloth or sponge soaked in the vinegar solution.
- After performing these steps, protect your work by leaving the washer door ajar to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
Learn More: Front Load vs Top Load Washers [Our Top Picks]
Cleaning a Front Load Washer Gasket
A washer gasket is a rubber seal that forms a watertight barrier between the door and the drum of a front-load washing machine, preventing water from leaking out during the wash cycle. Like other front load washer parts, a gasket can become dirty might get dirty from moisture, excessive detergent use, lint, and even fabric softener build-up.
How to Clean a Front Load Washer Gasket
The good news is a dirty gasket is one of the more common front loader washer problems, and it’s an easy fix. Just follow these steps.
- Create a mixture of equal parts water and white vinegar in a bowl.
- Dip a cloth or sponge into the vinegar solution.
- Wipe the rubber gasket around the door thoroughly, paying attention to any visible mold or mildew. For hard-to-reach areas or crevices, use an old toothbrush dipped in the vinegar solution.
- After cleaning, use a dry cloth to wipe the gasket and remove any excess moisture.
Sanitizing a Front Load Washer
For all the reasons above and more, you need to sanitize your front load washer routinely. The experts at Real Simple recommend doing this once a month, but frequency also depends on how often you wash and the size of your household. Ultimately, if you’re performing around eight loads a week, a monthly sanitization can help keep your machine in working order.
Sanitizing helps prevent odors, maintain cleanliness, and ensure that your washing machine is free from harmful microorganisms. Regular sanitization contributes to a healthier and more hygienic laundry environment, so that your washer can keep doing its job.
How to Sanitize Front Load Washer
Among all the front load washer cleaning tips, sanitization has become one of the more popular ones with the rise of viruses and diseases. In fact, a sanitized washer can even help reduce allergens.
- Start by running an empty cycle, adding a sanitizing agent, such as a specialized washing machine cleaner, white vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide, to the detergent dispenser or directly into the drum.
- Set the washing machine to the hottest water temperature setting.
- Once the cycle is done, open the door and wipe down the drum, door seal, and any accessible surfaces with a clean, dry cloth.
6 Best Front Load Washer Picks
The reality is if your washer is a decade or older, you’re dealing with outdated technology, and that can mean materials that aren’t designed to prevent mold and mildew from growing on your front loader. In any case, many modern front load washing machines are equipped with state-of-the-art technology that solve several of these issues, so all users have to do is pop a load in. Here are a few examples of manufacturers solving front load washer problems.
Whirlpool 4.5 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
Shop This Whirlpool Front Load Washer
It’s best practice to remove your clothes from the washer immediately to avoid excessive moisture, humidity, and standing water, but with this Whirlpool front loader, you don’t have to worry. The Tumble Fresh option allows you to tumble clean clothes for up to 12 hours until you’re ready to transfer them to the dryer. Another practice that leads to dirty washing machine components is washing loads that are too large, but this large capacity can handle your largest loads, and with a sanitize cycle, even round of dirty laundry can be cleaned away in just a single wash.
★ Featured Whirlpool WFW5605MW review:
“Just purchased a few weeks ago and I love it. Love the size and how quiet it is compared to my previous Samsung washer.”
Maytag 4.8 Cu. Ft. Metallic Slate Front Load Washer
Shop This Maytag Front Load Washer
For active families who constantly battle grass, food, and other stains, this Extra Power washer from Maytag is a handy sidekick. The sanitize cycle is designed to empower your front loader maintenance, and the Affresh cycle also aids you in keeping your washer clean. Just add an Affresh washing machine cleaner tablet or liquid chlorine bleach after every 30 washes.
★ Featured Maytag MHW6630HC review:
“I bought this washer 2 weeks ago. It was replacing a similar Maytag washer that was more than 15 yrs old with frequent use. The durability and performance of my previous washer is what prompted me to order another Maytag. This machine has slightly more cubic space, is so easy to operate and is extremely quiet when running. Also purchased the pedestal. Living on a farm I need a high efficiency washer that can handle both heavy and gentle loads. This washer fits that need.”
Electrolux 4.5 Cu. Ft. Titanium Front Load Washer
Shop This Electrolux Front Load Washer
This Electrolux washer will keep your clothes and machine fresh with the Extended Refresh option. It allows users to add a rinse and spin after the wash cycle until clothes are ready to move onto the dryer. Like more than 7,500 5-star reviews, we’re also fans of the Allergen option, which removes 95% of allergens from clothes, which provides a powerful clean when combined with the Sanitize setting. For everything in between, the exclusive LuxCare Wash System is also impressive, delivering enhanced stain-fighting techology that actually improves the performance of detergent.
★ Featured Electrolux ELFW7637AT review:
“This is our second one we've purchased due to moving and leaving original at old home. We have had many front load washing machines through the years and Electrolux by far has been the best one yet. Highly recommend.”
LG 5.2 Cu. Ft. Black Steel Front Load Washer
Shop This LG Front Load Washer
You don’t have to worry about having too large of a load with this high-capacity front loader. The LG ThinQ app will help you stay on top of maintaining your washing machine, including alerts to let you know when the cycle has ended and it’s time to transfer your clothes to the dryer. You’ll even receive reminders to run a cleaning cycle after a certain number of cycles, so you’ll never forget. What will be forgotten are stubborn stains and messes, thanks to upgrades like TurboWash Technology and AI fabric sensors.
★ Featured LG WM8900HBA review:
“Fast, quiet, and very easy to use. Cleaning is great, and very efficient. It's large, so make sure it fits - but this is excellent for large loads.”
Samsung 6.0 Cu. Ft. Brushed Black Front Load Washer
Shop This Samsung Front Load Washer
This washer stands apart thanks to its FlexWash feature capable of to wash two different cycles at once—a small load above and a full-size load below. In terms of keeping your washer mold and mildew free, the Self Clean+ setting will notify you every 40 wash cycles that it’s time to clean your washer, offering one more great feature alongside steam washing, a fast 28-minute speed cycle, and 6 cubic feet of washer capacity (among the most in its class).
★ Featured Samsung WV60A9900AV review:
“I bought this a month ago and it is working fantastic . It works good on all fabrics and we are happy with its performance.”
Speed Queen FF7 3.5 Cu. Ft. White Front Load Washer
Shop This Speed Queen Front Load Washer
This Speed Queen front load washer is the perfect washer for pet owners, featuring a unique Pet Plus cycle and flea removal cycle. Pet lovers might find themselves with more laundry, dirtier laundry, or more lint and hair buildup, so a washer designed with this in mind will be easier to keep clean. And for even better cleaning performance, you can utilize the Sanitize with Oxi option.
★ Featured Speed Queen FF7010WN review:
“…this front load washer is the best of the best. I should have gotten one of these a long time ago. It works amazing and this is my second speed queen that I have owned. I would highly recommend this front loader to my family and friends.”
Front load washing machines may be made to clean your clothes, but you have to keep the machine clean too. Whether you’re fighting mold, mildew, or gunked-up washer components, there are plenty of simple ways to clean your washing machine. At Colder’s, Milwaukee shoppers can find the best selection of front load washers for every budget with the latest technology to make maintenance easy. Explore our entire selection online or visit one of our Milwaukee appliance stores today!
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing for your home needs!
Shop Front Load Washers at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop washers online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you learn how to clean a front load washer and other inquiries, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: The Best Front Load Washing Machines to Save You Time & Money