How to Remove Mold from Washing Machine and Stop It from Returning

A washing machine is supposed to clean your clothes, not make them smell musty. However, mold can easily grow inside washers because they stay damp, collect residues, and operate in warm temperatures. Learning how to remove mold from washing machine parts is essential if you want fresh laundry and a healthy home. Mold thrives in wet spaces, especially when detergent residue, trapped moisture, and poor ventilation combine. As mold spreads, it releases mold spores that cause odors, stain clothes, and affect indoor air.

This guide will teach you the most effective steps for cleaning mold from both front loaders and top loaders. You will also learn how to prevent mold from returning so your washing machine works efficiently and stays fresh long term.

Why Washing Machines Get Mold

Before you begin cleaning, it helps to understand why mold forms inside washers so easily.

1. Moisture Trapped Inside the Machine

After every load, water droplets stay inside the drum, rubber gasket, and detergent compartments. If the washer stays closed, mold spreads quickly.

2. Detergent Residue and Soapy Water

Using too much detergent leads to buildup. This detergent residue mixes with soapy water and sticks to the drum and gasket, creating a sticky film that feeds mold.

3. Warm Temperatures

Washing machines stay warm after cycles. Combined with constant moisture, warm temperatures encourage mold and bacteria.

4. Not Enough Ventilation

If you keep your washer door closed, moisture stays trapped inside. Without airflow, mold spores multiply.

5. Dirt and Oils from Laundry

Clothes carry body oils, dirt, sweat, and dust. These settle inside the washer and mix with residue, resulting in odor-causing residues that lead to mold.

6. Hard Water Deposits

Over time, mineral buildup and hard water deposits settle inside the drum, detergent drawer, and pipes. These rough deposits trap moisture and create ideal places for mold.

Understanding these causes helps you fix the root problem and avoid recurring mold.

Signs of Mold in Your Washing Machine

You may have washing machine mold if you notice:

• Musty, damp, or sour smells
• Black, brown, or green spots
• Slime around the gasket or detergent drawer
• Moldy odor on freshly washed laundry
• Visible buildup inside the drum
• Water draining slowly due to a clogged lint trap

If you notice any of these signs, cleaning your washer is necessary.

How to Remove Mold from Washing Machine: Step-by-Step Guide

Below is a full cleaning routine that works for both front loaders and top loaders.

Step 1: Clean the Rubber Gasket

The rubber gasket is the number one place where mold hides, especially in front loaders. Detergent, dirt, hair, and water collect in the folds of the gasket and create mold.

How to clean it:

1. Pull back the gasket to expose hidden mold so you can reach the dirt, detergent residue, and moisture trapped inside the folds where mold commonly develops in front-loading machines.
2. Spray vinegar or diluted bleach onto the area to break down mold buildup and disinfect the rubber surface without causing damage when used correctly.
3. Use a scrub brush to loosen mold and remove grime, reaching deep into the folds of the gasket where residue often accumulates and feeds mold growth.
4. Wipe thoroughly using a microfiber cloth to remove loosened mold, moisture, and residue, ensuring the gasket is as clean and dry as possible.
5. Leave the door open to air dry so fresh air can circulate around the gasket, preventing moisture from becoming trapped again and reducing future mold growth.

If the mold is severe, repeat this step twice.

Step 2: Clean the Detergent Dispensers

The detergent compartments collect leftover detergent, softener, and soapy water, which lead to mold.

How to clean the dispensers:

1. Remove the detergent drawer completely. Take out the entire drawer so you can access all areas where residue and mold may be hiding.
2. Soak it in hot water with vinegar or an appliance cleaner. Take out the entire drawer so you can access all areas where residue and mold may be hiding.
3. Scrub small spaces using a toothbrush. Use a toothbrush to reach tight corners and remove mold, slime, and trapped detergent residue.
4. Rinse well and dry fully before inserting. Ensure the drawer is completely clean and dry to prevent moisture buildup and future mold growth.

Step 3: Run a Hot Water Cleaning Cycle

A deep cleaning cycle removes mold inside the drum, pipes, and water reservoir.

You can run this cycle using:

• Vinegar
• Bleach
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Descaling powder

Choose only one cleaner. Do not mix bleach and vinegar.

How to run the cycle:

1. Set the washer to the hottest water setting  to help loosen mold, dissolve residue, and sanitize internal parts of the machine effectively during the cleaning process.
2. Add two cups of vinegar or bleach to the detergent compartment, choosing only one cleaner to safely break down mold without creating harmful chemical reactions.
3. Run a full cycle with no clothes inside so the cleaning solution can circulate freely through the drum, hoses, and internal components to remove mold and buildup.
4. After the wash, run one more cycle with hot water only to rinse, ensuring all cleaning residue is flushed out and preventing lingering odors or chemical traces.

The heat loosens mold while vinegar or bleach disinfects the inside.

Step 4: Scrub the Drum

After completing the hot wash cycle, give the drum a thorough manual cleaning for a deeper and more effective mold removal. Begin by sprinkling baking soda directly onto the interior surface of the drum, then spray vinegar over it to create a foaming reaction that helps lift mold and residue. 

Using a soft scrub brush, gently work the mixture into the drum to dislodge buildup. Once the scrubbing is complete, wipe the entire area with a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining debris and leave the drum clean and refreshed.

Step 5: Clean the Lint Trap and Drain Pump

Clogged lint traps hold water and mold.

How to clean it:

1. Locate the lint trap near the base of the machine. Find the lint trap at the bottom front area where debris commonly collects.
2. Remove debris, coins, threads, and slime. Clear out trapped items to prevent clogs and reduce moisture that encourages mold growth.
3. Wash the filter with hot water. Rinse thoroughly to dissolve residue and eliminate buildup that can hold mold spores.
4. Scrub it with vinegar if mold is visible. Use vinegar to disinfect and remove mold, ensuring the filter stays clean and odor free.

A clean filter improves drainage and prevents moisture buildup.

Step 6: Clean the Exterior Areas

Mold can grow on:

• Buttons
• Handles
• Panel edges
• Under the lid of top loaders

Use a disinfecting wipe or vinegar solution to clean all exterior surfaces.

Step 7: Clean the Dishwasher and Ice Bin if Needed

Many homeowners clean multiple appliances at once. If your dishwasher, ice bin, or refrigerator water area smells musty, you may have mold in the water reservoir there too. Use vinegar, hot water, and descaling cleaners in those appliances as well.

Step 8: Address Mineral Buildup Through Descaling

If you live in a hard water area, descaling your washing machine is essential for keeping it clean and functioning properly. Hard water leaves behind mineral deposits that create rough surfaces inside the washer, allowing mold to cling and grow more easily. 

To remove this buildup, you can use descaling powder, vinegar, or citric acid, all of which help dissolve hard water deposits and improve overall machine performance. Regular descaling ensures smoother surfaces, reduces odor, and helps prevent mold from returning.

Step 9: Dry the Washer Completely

After cleaning, keep the door open for at least 6 hours. Airflow prevents moisture and reduces mold growth. Wipe remaining water using a microfiber cloth.

You should also explore this guide on How to Fix Water Damage Quickly and Prevent Further Harm.

How to Prevent Mold from Returning

Preventing mold in your washer is as important as removing it.

• Leave the Door Open After Every Load – Keep airflow moving to stop mold spores from multiplying.
• Use Less Detergent – Prevent residue buildup by using only high-efficiency detergent.
• Remove Wet Clothes Quickly – Never let damp clothes sit inside the washer drum.
• Run a Monthly Vinegar Cycle – Clear residue and minimize mold growth with a simple vinegar wash.
• Clean the Gasket Weekly – Wipe the gasket regularly to block mold before it forms.
• Improve Laundry Room Ventilation – Use fans or dehumidifiers to reduce humidity.
• Clean the Lint Trap Regularly – Keep drains clear to avoid standing water that can cause mold.
• Avoid Keeping the Washer in a Humid Area – Lower room moisture to prevent mold from developing again.

When to Call a Professional

Sometimes mold becomes severe, especially if the washing machine leaks into the floor or mold spreads into walls. A professional mold specialist can:

• Inspect hidden mold
• Remove mold from drywall or subflooring
• Identify moisture problems
• Prevent contamination

For deeper mold issues in your home or laundry room, contact The Mold Guys, your trusted experts in mold cleanup, mold removal, and moisture control.

Conclusion

Understanding how to remove mold from washing machine areas helps you maintain fresh laundry and a healthier home. With routine cleaning, proper ventilation, and monthly maintenance, you can stop mold spores, detergent residue, and odor buildup before they start. 

If mold spreads beyond the washer or returns frequently, professionals help ensure safe removal and long-term protection. For expert mold inspections, full mold remediation, and reliable cleaning support, contact The Mold Guys, the team dedicated to keeping your home clean and mold-free.

FAQs

1. Is black mold in washing machines dangerous?

Yes, black mold can trigger allergies, breathing irritation, and musty odors. Mold spores transfer onto clothes and affect indoor air. Cleaning the gasket, drum, and detergent drawer using vinegar or bleach helps remove it.

2. How to get mold out of washing machine rubber?

Pull back the rubber seal, spray vinegar or diluted bleach, and scrub with a brush. Wipe with a microfiber cloth and leave the door open to dry. Repeat the process if the mold is thick.

3. How to remove mold from the washing machine front loader?

Clean the rubber gasket, run a hot vinegar or bleach cycle, scrub detergent dispensers, and clean the lint filter. Front loaders need extra maintenance because moisture collects in the gasket.

4. How to clean mold from a washing machine with vinegar?

Add two cups of vinegar to the detergent compartment and run a hot water cycle. Then scrub the drum and gasket, rinse with hot water, and dry the machine completely.

5. How do you get rid of black mold in the washing machine?

Use hot water, vinegar, bleach, or hydrogen peroxide. Scrub the gasket and run a heavy cleaning cycle. Clean the detergent drawer and lint trap to remove residue that feeds mold.