Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the door seal
• Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the drum
• Part 3 of 3: Maintaining a front loader
• Necessities

Economical front loaders are easy to love because they require less water and detergent. However, special methods are needed to clean and air the parts of such a washing machine. If your front loader smells like a locker room, it's time to give it a thorough clean and use special care methods. Regularly clean the door seal and the drum so that no mold grows in them. It's also important to know how to keep your washing machine dry and clean between washes.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Cleaning the door seal

1. Find the door seal. This is the rubber ring around the opening of the drum of your washing machine. The door seal seals the washing machine so that no water can leak out. Open the washer door as far as it will go and pull back the rubber ring around the washer opening.
   • The door seal will stick to the washer, but you can pull it open to clean it and make sure nothing is stuck in it.
   EXPERT TIP

   Remove all foreign objects from the door seal. When you have pulled the door seal back, check if there are any foreign objects stuck in between. Sharp objects can damage the rubber and the washing machine when you do the laundry. Always check the pockets of your garments and empty them completely before doing the laundry. Often these are foreign objects:

   • Barrettes
   • Nails
   • Coins
   • Paperclips
2. Check the rubber for dust and hair. If you see hair in the door seal, it means that particles of your clothes are accumulating there. If you have pets or family members with long hair, check the door seal on hair at least once or twice a week. Keep the door of your washing machine closed from time to time if the door seal seems dusty. For example, keep the door closed when your dog sleeps in the laundry room at night.
   • Dust builds up on the door seal when dust particles and lint from the dryer or laundry room float through the air and land on the door seal. Regularly clean the fluff filter of your dryer so that less dust floats through the air.
3. Remove any mold. If you see black dots, mold is growing in your washing machine. This means that the door seal does not dry enough between washes or that too much soap residue remains in the washing machine. This moisture can cause mold to grow. To remove mold, spray the door seal with hot soapy water or a mold cleaner. Wipe off the cleaner with a clean cloth or rag.
   • You may need to spray several times if the rubber is slimy with mold. Keep spraying and wiping until the cloth you are using stays clean when you rub the rubber.
4. Thoroughly clean the door seal once a month. To kill the mold, put 250 ml of bleach in the empty washing machine and do a cooking wash. Also pour 120ml of bleach into the detergent or fabric softener compartment to ensure the entire appliance is cleaned. When the washing program has ended, run the washing machine a few more times without adding bleach. This way you get the bleach smell out of the washing machine before you wash your clothes in the washing machine again.
   • If you see black mold or black spots after washing, you may need to put on gloves and a mask and scrub the areas with bleach. Dip a toothbrush in a solution containing no more than 10% bleach and scrub away the moldy spots with it.

Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the drum

1. Sprinkle 80 grams of baking soda into the drum. Baking soda helps to remove the smell of mold and dirty clothes. Close the door. Pour 500 ml of white vinegar into the detergent compartment. The vinegar and baking soda react with each other, cleaning the drum of your washing machine.
   • Always check the owner's manual that came with your washing machine for specific cleaning instructions.
2. Turn on the washing machine. Set your washing machine to complete the cleaning program, if your washing machine has such an option. If your washing machine does not have such a program, let it run through a normal washing program. Set the washing machine to a high temperature so that the baking soda and vinegar have a chance to react with each other.Run the washing machine through the entire program, including rinsing.
   • If your energy-efficient washing machine has a cleaning program, the owner's manual will have specific instructions for when to add the vinegar and baking soda.
3. Remove stains in a very dirty loader. If your washing machine smells bad and you think mold is growing in the drum, run it through a washing cycle with bleach. Add 500 ml of bleach to the detergent dispenser. Run the washing machine through a complete wash and rinse cycle. To rinse the appliance completely, run it through another washing program without putting anything in the drum.
   • Never put baking soda, vinegar, and bleach in a washing machine at the same time. This can cause a dangerous reaction that can damage your washing machine.
4. Remove and clean the detergent dispenser. Pull the detergent dispenser out of the washing machine and soak it in warm water. Remove the panel and spray it with all-purpose cleaner. Wipe it clean and put everything back in.
   • If your washing machine has a separate compartment for fabric softener, you can also clean it completely.
5. Clean the outside of the washing machine. Spray all-purpose cleaner on a clean cloth or rag and wipe all exterior surfaces of the washing machine. You will sweep up any lint, dust, and hair that has accumulated on the outside.
   • By keeping the outside of the washing machine clean, you prevent dirt and dust particles from entering the washing machine.

Part 3 of 3: Maintaining a front loader

1. Use the correct detergent. Buy a detergent specifically for use in an energy-efficient washing machine. Also use the recommended amounts of detergent and fabric softener. If you use more detergent than necessary, a layer of detergent will remain on your clothes and in your washing machine.
   • A build-up of detergent can cause your washing machine to smell and mold to grow.
2. Take your laundry straight out of the washing machine when it is ready. Don't leave your clean wet clothes in the washing machine for hours before putting them in the dryer or hanging them on the clothesline. Mold grows faster in front loaders than in top loaders, and they are also more likely to smell.
   • If you cannot put your wet laundry in the dryer yet, at least open the door so that the moisture does not remain completely in the washing machine.
3. Dry the door seal in between washes. Ideally, take an old towel and wipe the door seal completely clean after every load of laundry you've washed. The goal is to wipe all moisture off the door seal so mold cannot grow in it. After a wash, leave the door ajar so that the moisture from the washing machine can evaporate.
   • Also dry the inside of the door, especially if you usually leave the door closed.
4. Remove the detergent dispenser from the washing machine and let it air dry. It is important to get into the habit of cleaning the detergent dispenser regularly, but also get used to taking it out after every wash. Remove the detergent dispenser from the washing machine and let it air dry. In this way, air also gets into the washing machine itself, so you can prevent mold growth.
   • If you make it a habit to remove the detergent dispenser after each wash, you can also quickly check it for black mold, as well as stains that need to be removed.

Necessities

• Clean cloths
• Toothbrush
• Bleach
• Towel
• Rubber gloves