Dealing With a Musty Washer

Dealing with a musty washer doesn't need to be as difficult of a proposition as many would think. In fact, there are quite a few options that are available, many of which only require a little bit of effort on your part. Instead of dealing with a musty washer, or clothes and linens that are less than fresh, use one of these simple methods to ensure you have an odor free washing machine.

• Air drying. Perhaps the single best way of dealing with a musty washer is prevention. In this case, preventing the problem from ever happening. The easiest way to do this is to always leave the lid of your washing machine open for a couple of hours after you have finished using it. This will not only allow sunlight in to the washing machine, but also allow the interior of the washing machine to air dry. In addition, also leave the cover for the detergent open since it can also become damp, and mold likes dark damp places.
• Bleach is helpful. Run a complete cycle, without any clothes or soap as you normally would. However, instead of using detergent pour two cups of bleach into the water. The combination of heat and bleach should help remove any and all odor that you may have.
• Use specialized cleaners. There are specialized cleaners available that you can use to help deal with a musty washer. Some, such as OxyClean, can simply be added to your regular load of laundry to not only get the clothes clean but also remove any musty odors. Other types of cleaners that have been developed to clean washing machines can be found at local hardware and department stores. Simply follow the directions as listed, and you should have a must free washer in little to no time.
• Check the gasket. Another cause for musty washing machines is a faulty gasket. Periodically take time to check and make sure that the gasket that encircles the opening is in good working order. If it is dried out, cracked, broken, or in some other way not in the best of condition then replace it.
• White vinegar can help. Pouring some white vinegar in the washing machine can help in much the same manner as bleach or OxyClean. Simply pour one to two cups of white vinegar in with the laundry, and you can help remove any musty odors that may cling to them. Run a couple of cycles without any clothes and a couple of cups of vinegar each, and you should have a must free washing machine.
• Check the cycles. Many newer washing machines now have a cleaning cycle on them. Simply select this cycle, and follow the directions in your owner's manual. This should help remove any and all mold that is causing the musty odor.