The short answer is “yes”. Leaving your washing machine door open between washes ensures that it is aired out. After washing, there will be small amounts of water left in the drum of the washing machine.
If the door is closed after you have removed the laundry, then it can become musty and begin to smell. It can even grow moldy if left for too long.
This is true for both front loading and top loading washing machines. It is generally worse in front loading washing machines. And it is easier to leave the door of a front loading washing machine open. You don’t have to keep it wide open. Just don’t shut it closed completely.
With a top loading washing machine, it’s a good idea to just leave the lid leaning against the wall behind. This can cause dust and other things to build up. But you don’t have to leave it open all the time. Just for a few hours until the drum has dried.
Related: What Is The Best Washing Machine Cleaner?
Is washing machine mold dangerous?
Any kind of mold can make you sick. So it’s not worth the risk. Leaving the door of your washing machine open might seem strange. But it will become instinct in the long run.
And it’s much better than allowing the stagnant water to stay in there. And build up mold and mildew.
How do I get rid of the smell in my washing machine?
If you have closed the door to your washing machine, and it has begun to smell, this can be easily fixed. One way is to put your washing machine on a rinse spin cycle. Most washing machines have this as an option.
So you can essentially run the washing machine while it is empty. This will rinse out of the washing machine and flush out any stagnant water. This should get rid of any mild smells. (Just make sure to leave the door open afterward!)
If this isn’t enough to get rid of the smell, then vinegar can help. The idea of running something with such a strong smell as vinegar through something that washes your laundry might seem strange. But it does work.
Vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent. It can even be used to wash laundry itself. Just add in two cups of white vinegar where you would normally put the detergent. And run the washing machine as you normally would.
Make sure to leave the door open after this. It will allow the vinegar smell to disperse. And water will stop building up.
Can vinegar damage my washing machine?
If used too often, vinegar can damage the rubber fixtures in a washing machine. So it definitely shouldn’t be used too often. It can be used to clean laundry. But this shouldn’t be for everyday use. Only when your laundry has some very tough stains. Most washing detergents will be strong enough.
This is another reason to leave the door to your washing machine open. It will stop you from needing to clean it out too often. (Although cleaning it semi-regularly is still important.)
How do I deep clean my washing machine?
If you really need to clean out your washing machine, you can use baking soda. As with pretty much anything, vinegar and baking soda are some of the best cleaning agents. However, it’s best not to use vinegar and baking soda together in the washing machine.
Baking soda is even better at cleaning out a washing machine than vinegar. Vinegar can get rid of a smell and clean it a little. But when baking soda fizzes up, it can get rid of mold and mildew.
To use baking soda, pour two cups directly into the drum of the machine. Then use a sponge or cloth to scrub the inside. Don’t scrub too aggressively, or you might scratch and damage the metal of the drum.
Make sure to get all around the drum. Including underneath the rubber lips and edges of the drum. This is where a lot of mold can build up the most.
Once you have cleaned as much as you can, put the washing machine on a long hot water cycle. Then leave the door open to air it out. This should be a great way to get rid of any mold or soap build up that might be stopping your laundry from getting super clean.
How often should you deep clean your washing machine?
Around once a month is a good idea. But more often if you keep forgetting to leave the door open to air it out. Few people will regularly clean their washing machines. But it’s super important. And once you realize what might be building up in there. Your laundry isn’t going to feel clean again until you clean the machine.
Related Washing Machine Articles:
- What Is The Best Washing Machine Cleaner?
- How To Clean A Front Loading Washing Machine With Vinegar And Baking Soda
- Where To Buy White Vinegar For Cleaning In The UK
- How To Use Bicarbonate Of Soda For Cleaning
- How To Clean A Washing Machine With White Vinegar
