Mold can be a problem for some front-loading washers

Front-loading washing machines are more efficient than traditional top-loading washers. Sure, you’ll pay a $400 to $500 premium over the average top-loader, but your electricity and water savings should offset the added expense over the lifetime of the appliance. Plus, front-loaders are among the highest-rated washers in our tests.

But front-loaders don’t have a spotless reputation. We’ve received myriad comments from readers about water left behind at the end of the wash cycle, bleach spotting, excessive vibrations, unhelpful service reps, and other complaints common to all washers. But one issue seems unique to front-loaders: mold buildup in the rubber gasket of the door and the resulting odor on clothes.

The mold problem is so widespread that class-action suits are targeting LG, Whirlpool, and Sears, whose Kenmore front-loaders are made by Whirlpool. The Maytag Neptune front-loading washer line has been part of a similar lawsuit, for which a settlement was reached.

One Consumer Reports reader had a Whirlpool Duet for four months when it and her family’s clothes began to smell of mold. She contacted the manufacturer, which she says told her to clean the machine twice a week with bleach, wipe the door down after each wash, and leave the door open to dry it out. “I work full time and have five children—four who do their own laundry,” says Merryl Nall of Collierville, Tennessee, says. “Needless to say, that would not work.” Whirlpool took back the washer, and Nall has switched to a top-loader. (You'll find more discussions about mold in washers in this forum.)

Mold, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can cause symptoms that include nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation, fever, and shortness of breath. For people with chronic lung illnesses, mold infections can develop in their lungs. And exposure to mold can also bring on asthma attacks.

Suggested remedies to the mold problem abound. Whirlpool sells Affresh tablets as a way to clean washer residue and mold. Sears warns against using non-HE detergents, cleaners that could create conditions for mold growth. And LG recommends that once or twice a month you run a special hot cycle to which you add bleach to clean the washer.

Our advice:
• When washing, use warm or hot water unless a load requires cold.
• Wipe the door gasket and glass dry once you’re done washing.
• Clean the detergent dispenser and any attachments once or twice a month.
• Run a dehumidifier if your laundry room is damp.

If you see mold buildup in a front-loading washer, call the manufacturer for service and save all paperwork related to the purchase and service of your machine. In the Maytag Neptune settlement, plaintiffs eligible for restitution needed to document multiple authorized repair visits made during the warranty period and soon after the warranty expired.

In response to the many reader letters we've received, we're asking owners of front-loaders whether repairs they’ve had done to their washers relate to mold alone. We’ll report on the findings from the Annual Questionnaire, conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, in future stories.—Ed Perratore

Comments

[Larry Gross]

Something does not add up here.

We've had front-loaders for decades in laundromats without -as far as I know - this problem.

so what is different?

[Ken Leebow]

Yep, we've already had our rubber gasket replaced -- cost $300 bucks. And, the repairman basically told yes everything your article states.

One thing that seemed bizarre; He told us to wipe out the gasket after every use. I told him that's a defect. He told me no, that's what you need to do.

I've advised friends not to purchase a front-loader.

[shamelshipman]

Owners of front-loading washers having mold concerns may want to check out the remarkable research on toxic mold removal done by environmental expert Dr Ed Close. Simply diffusing a therapeutic-grade essential oil regularly would likely result in an environment very hostile to mold.

http://www.secretofthieves.com/mold.cfm/79544

[Jim Houston]

Our front loader has been fine, but we do two things: 1) leave the washer door open for the night after we have washed our last load of the day, and 2) occasionally wipe the door gasket. Honestly, wiping the door gasket is kind of like having to clean your stove or refrigerator shelves. No, you don't have to do this, but after it awhile it gets nasty if you don't. Is this a defect? I don't consider it to be one. More like common sense. Of course, the manufacturers will eventually end up putting big stickers on the door that tell you to clean your door gasket because of all the customers who don't think they need to maintain their appliance. For those who don't want to spend twenty seconds wiping off their door gasket, go back to the top loader. I for one love saving water and electricity.

[Susan]

I have had a Whirlpool front load washer for over a year with no mold problem. It has a cleaning cycle that uses chlorine bleach and I run that once a month.

[Jennifer J]

I've had a Front Loader since April. My laundry area is in outside in my garage. I researched this before buying and am hoping for the best. I use 3 Tbls of HE detergent, Affress once a month, I wipe it dry religously after loads and leave the door open for several hours after using.

[Warren Shreffler]

We recently bought a Frigidaire front load and matching dryer. I was shocked to learn that the manual tells you to leave the door open to help prevent mold.

I would never have bought a front load had I known. I wipe the seal groove occasionally looking for mold. After six months I have found none.

We also have problems with the washer buzzing all the way through the washer cycle. After many calls to Electrolux / Frigidaire our local appliance seller finally replaced the control board behind the panel. Still buzzes. I’m waiting until this unit dies so I can buy a real washer. I tell everyone who will listen not to buy a Frigidaire washer / dryer.

[don cyr]

we have a GE Adora front loader. after washing towels and then using them after bathing i noticed our towels smelt quite bad. previously i had noticed mold developing on the dispenser tray but never related the two. one day i pulled the tray out to clean it and noticed that inside around where the tray fits was very moldy as well. after cleaning the tray and the inside with bleach,the smell on the towels was gone. our rubber gasket has not been a problem,we do dry it and leave the door open for a time. the real problem for us was with the dispenser (detergent etc.)

[Dan Wilstrom]

...details on this "problem" seem very sparse -- not near enough to draw any broad conclusions.

I switched to an LG front-loader two years ago -- and don't have the slightest hint of a mold problem (..nor any other problems) Plus, I'm in hot/humid Florida where mold should flourish if there was a design problem. My little laundry room is inside, off the kitchen.

Front-loaders have been around the U.S. for many decades, if there's a genuine problem -- it's very unlikely caused by the basic 'front-loader' design.

Many American homes have their washer/dryers in the attached garage -- that's an 'almost-outside' environment... which might contribute to a mold problem (?)

Also, the special low-suds detergent required by modern front-loaders... might somehow contribute to a mold issue (??)

I'm confident the good folks at Consumer Reports can solve this one... with a bit of logical detective work.

[Donna]

Well, duh! You're supposed to leave the door to the washer open when you are done with it. You know, so it can air out? What do you expect will happen if you close up a damp area? I bet if you leave a top loader closed up and damp inside the same thing will happen.

And you're supposed to run a cleaning cycle every now and then, too.

[Anita Mann]

I have finally been successful in having my "stinky" front loader washing machine replaced under the maintenance protection agreement I had purchased. It was a huge pain and it was clear that Sears did not want to do this. Our problem is that our machine did not contain a heating element and, because the machine is located quite a distance from our hot water heater, and the machine uses such a small amount of water, our machine was never run on the "hot" cycle.

We had service people tell us to run vinegar, change to a different detergent, run draino....

Of course we were also advised to purchase Affresh at a cost of $9.00 for 3 tablets. Since this isn't mentioned in the owners manual, I didn't feel obligated to go to this additional expense but actually did try it without success.

Good luck.

[KP]

I've had a Neptune for 7 years now. Around year 5.5 I started noticing a funky smell and tried all the recommended treatments with limited to no results. I finally discovered that it had to do with the detergent I was using. I had switched to Wisk HE and that's when the problem started. If I use Cheer HE or Tide HE I don't have the problem. NOTE: I have always used half the recommended amount and clothes still come clean. 10 months later, don't do any of the recommended treatments anymore and still no problem.

[S Hrenko]

I purchased an LG front load washer and dryer in March of this year. My owner's manual clearly states that the water reservoir at the bottom of the washer should be emplied twice a month, and that you should wipe the rubber door gasket after every use. No, I didn't know this before my purchase, and yes, it is annoying to do, but I still love my machine and my water savings. I wouldn't recommend my machine to a person who would have difficulty getting down to floor level...I have to sit on the floor to drain the machine. I found out if you don't do it, it will eventually leak.

[alene]

Wouldn't the frequent need to run a "special" hot water cycle with bleach tend to negate the reason for buying a front loader in the first place -- to save water and energy?

[Chris]

I have a Maytag Neptune that is about 10 years old. I complained when I first got it that there is water left in the system when the washer is empty. I was told by Sears that is the way that it was designed. I wash the top of my washer after each load. I wipe the inside if it needs it. There is a damp smell when you open the washer. I use chlorine bleach in my washer about twice a week. I believe the rubber seal that is attached to the tub is a design flaw. It does not allow the water to drain out of it completely. I called about a month ago to have the seal replaced - they replaced the brush attachment on the drum instead. I called again to have the seal replaced - it is 10 years old and was becoming moldy and collecting debris. They were not going to change it. Then the technician discovered there was a leak in the back. I have now researched my model - MAH3000AWW. I guess since my extended warantee was with Sears, I was not in the Maytag system. That model had a class action suit back in 2005.
Now I am not sure what washer to get to replace mine. I love the front loaders, but the highly rated ones by Consumer Reports are in Class Action suits.
I believe that it is a safety issue that washers should not be left open as a mandatory requirement. Just like when you get rid of an old refrigerator, you are supposed to remove a door, what happens if a small child goes into an open washer and becomes trapped.
You should not have to dry out the inside of a washer after use.
In fact, the manufacturers should design a Heat only function to dry out the washer after the washer program is over. This could be a button to push when the laundry is done for the day.

[Leah]

My house has always had a top loader. Never had I or my mom had an issue with musty clothes or mold and NOoooo we we never, never, leave the lid up. I agree with Chris, that's a safety issue. I have a front loader for use at work at my salon. Its older, no mold issues but I bleach towels and linens with hot water every day and would never think about leaving it open over the weekend to dry out, that's just stupid to have doors left open. I still prefer my top loader.

[Chris Parker]

We had the same problems with our front load washer until my husband found the web site www.smellywasher.com. We ordered their product, cleaned our washer last November, and haven't had a problem since. We do leave it open when it isn't in use now and we also keep a towel handy to wipe out the gasket. We also learned that liquid detergents used in the dispenser, HE or not, encourage mold growth. So does liquid fabric softener. We now put powdered HE detergent directly in with the clothes, we use vinegar in the fabric softener dispenser, and then use dryer balls in the dryer. I've seen stains that I'd given up on disappear. No "dryer fresh scent," but our clothes are clean and soft. And our washer doesn't stink.

[H-Stillwater]

I can't in the absolute least understand what you people are complaining about! I have had my fl washer for one year now and it is absolutely the best thing ever! I love it.
I love saving electricity and water!

Update, well its 1.5 years now, and my washer works well. I have noticed the electricity and water bills have been a bit less. Yay!
I clean the gasket and leave the door open after each wash. This is just great.

Update. 2.5 years with my Front loader. My towels kind of smell and I think I am leaving the load too long in the washer. I will have to get there sooner.

Update. 3+ years. My laundry room stinks so bad. Its awful to go into my laundry room. I think its making my clothes stink. I will wash them with a bit of vinegar and/or bleach to see if that helps keep that smell away.
Gee the washer is good. I sure am saving money and it was well worth the $1000.00 I spent on it!

Update: 4 years.
I hate this washer. The money I have spent on cleaning it, running empty wash cycles with affresh and hot water! My water and electricity bills are back where they used to be. My husband couldn't stand the smell of his shirts any more and took the machine apart. Every piece of the machine that carried water is covered in black gunk and/or mold. It stinks so bad!
I did everything I was suppose to as I loved my machine... and it reeks! It is a stinking moldy disgusting-ness piece of crap.
I have spent more than 500.00 in cleaning aids, maintenance/repair technicians, and affresh tablets.
We are throwing it out. Today I went to find a top loader at the store. This poor lady was looking at buying a FL. I told her to research it, and google "smelly front loader" before she bought.
Ha! Maybe I saved her some pain... I sure hope so.

[Kerry]

I DO NOT RECOMMEND LG FRONT-LOAD WASHERS!!! We have an LG front-load washer that we purchased in 2005. About a year after we purchased the washer, we started smelling a terrible odor. I can relate to the other individual who stated that their towels smelled particularly bad. Our towels smell okay when we remove them from the dryer, but the instant that we use them to dry off and they get wet, they smell terrible. I've tried bleach, an expensive miracle wash product that I purchased on-line, and Affresh tabs. We clean the seal on a regular basis (even using a toothbrush) and always leave the door open after our last load. Keep in mind that nothing in the owners manual mentions that this is required maintenance. In addition, I use HE detergent. I don't use liquid fabric softener. Nothing works to remove the odor. The last straw was last month when I started getting flecks of grey stuff all over the towels and clothes that I washed. I've contacted LG, but they haven't been much help. I filed a complaint with the BBB and a rep from LG offered to extend our warranty to cover a "courtesy clean". When I received the paperwork from LG about this extended warrant, it expressly stated that items not covered included cleaning. We have also contacted the retailer from whom we purchased the unit since we had paid for a 5-year performance guarantee when we bought the unit. They sent out a repairman who didn't even touch the unit and told us to use Affresh. After trying the Affresh, our washer still smelled of mold and our towels still came out with flecks of grey sludge. I have absolutely no confidence in front-load machines now and I would not recommend LG to anyone due to the poor response that I've received from them.

[Jo Gillilan]

My Maytag Neptune fl washer is about 5 or 6 years old now and unfortunately I still can't afford to replace it. Not only do I have a mold problem and have to constantly wipe it out, it also beats my clothing half to death! Towels come out with snags and pulls all over them, and one in a while it also manages to rip holes in jeans or other heavier clothing.
I missed the class action suit because I failed to send in my warranty card. Maytag told me it was my tough luck and hung up on me.
No problem. I let everyone know that Maytag is a worthless piece of garbage.

[Angiq]

I have had my front loader for 3+ years now and I have had bleach spot problems on my clothes. I have to wash a load of whites with bleach then make sure I put in a load of whites with no bleach to clean out the system as to not bleach the next load of colored clothes. I leave the door open after each wash so I don't get the oder.
I also have to re-spin my clothes after some loads because it won't take any water out. The repair man said it was because of the soap and the amount I was using. Go figure.

I miss my top loading washer.

[Trudy Allen]

"Posted by: Larry Gross | Aug 28, 2008 8:20:52 AM
Something does not add up here.
We've had front-loaders for decades in laundromats without -as far as I know - this problem. so what is different?"

Great point! We had an ASKO front loader from 1996 until 2007. NEVER any water retained in the washer or the gasket. We did always leave the door of the ASKO ajar to dry, but never any mold or odor problems. With the Bosch, we noticed after the first wash that water remained standing in the gasket, which now has become slimy and is growing mold.

My daughter-in-law bought in March a Whirlpool Duet. Now, there is black mold growing on the gasket, and their clothes, towels, etc, smell like mildew after being taken from the washer. It is terrible! The only thing Whirlpool has offered is the Affresh tabs, which are not helping.

Something really needs to be done to force these manufacturers to acknowledge the problem with the gasket design and whatever else is causing the water retention problem, and make good on these terribly expensive machines.

[Shelley]

Is there a contact number or web address for where we can get involved in the class action suite? Please email me if you know of something.

[joe]

Stinks- I bought the Bosch front loader-water saver-But mold -black yak soon aware

[Debbie R]

I purchased a Bosch front loader about a year and a half ago. I hate the way the towels smell. I have never left the door closed when not in use and I always immediately remove the clothes when the load is finished. Saves a lot of money on water. My water bill went down approximately $60 per quarter. I do not see mold on my gasket and I wipe the slime around the rubber occasionally. I guess I will have to start doing this after every load. My son just got married and I recommended to him not to buy one. I used the cleaning tablets and I feel that they did nothing. I also run about two loads of laundry per week with bleach. I feel that nothing helps the problem. I just bought borax yesterday and am going to try that the next time I wash towels. I read the blogs about people talking about front loaders in laundromats. Those washers are totally different. They use a lot more water than the front loaders that you buy for your home. As far as getting your clothes cleaner, I see no difference. They are probably less clean. How can your clothes get clean with such little water? My advice, don't buy one, unless you have about 8 kids.