You probably have mold in your washing machine. Here's how to kill it - CNET

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If you've noticed that your towels and clothes don't smell fresh when they come out of the washing machine , the problem may be due to mold or bacteria that thrive in humid environments. If that's the case, it's time to give your washing machine a regular cleaning to get rid of the smelly source and prevent it from reoccurring.

Clothes and the washing machine smell fresh again and keep bad smells away in the future. (For more cleaning tips, check out how to remove pet stains from carpets , how to remove makeup stains from bedding, and how to clean your mattress .)

The best way to get rid of mold and bacteria in your washing machine

If you have mold in your washing machine, here's how to get rid of it. Doing this monthly will prevent mold growth.

1 . Put on gloves and grab an old towel you don't mind.

2 .   Mix a solution of bleach and hot water or vinegar and hot water. ( Never mix bleach and vinegar , as it produces toxic chlorine gas.)

3 .   Dip the towel in the mixture and begin scrubbing off any visible mold. Be sure to fit the detergent container and around the crevices.

4 . Front loading machines have a seal around the door. If you have a front loader, clean and dry it thoroughly, including all creases.

5 .   Run the wash on the hottest setting on your machine with a cup of bleach or vinegar. If you use bleach, pour it into the compartment provided. If using vinegar, pour it into the detergent slot.

If your machine has a self-clean cycle, you can use this setting. This should remove any hidden mold that you may have overlooked.

6 Use another old towel and wipe all the moisture out of your washing machine. This includes the drum, manifolds, seals and any other area you can get to.

7 . Leave the washing machine door open to allow forgotten items to air dry.

Leave the lid open when not doing laundry

Mold thrives in dark, damp areas, which is what your washing machine turns into after you unload your clothes. Leaving the lid closed traps moisture, which can lead to bacterial growth and odor.

Leaving the washing machine door open will help ventilate the area and prevent mold growth in the first place.

Need to hand wash your clothes? Here's how to do it right

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Remove contaminated clothing immediately

Damp clothing is another breeding ground for mold. If you're throwing out a load of laundry, make sure you're home to remove the laundry when the timer goes off.

Not only will this prevent mold from growing in your washing machine, but it will also prevent mold from getting onto your clean clothes, linens and towels.

Dry wet stamps and other parts after each use

When you are done with the washing machine for the day, wipe down all wet parts of the washing machine. This includes the lid, drum, door, rubber seals and detergent drawer (if your machine has this feature).

Keep an old towel handy for this purpose.

Be sure to dry the seams with the rest of your washing machine to avoid leaving moisture behind. And while mold growth can occur in any washing machine, it's particularly common in high-efficiency (HE) front-loading washing machines. Therefore, you should wash the seals around the door regularly and keep them dry. The seals keep water from seeping around the door and also seal out moisture that can encourage mold growth.

You should also promptly clean any pet hair, wrinkled paper, or other debris from the device.

If you have a High Efficiency (HE) washing machine, use a powdered detergent designed for HE machines.

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If you have a high-efficiency washing machine

Liquid detergents can leave residue in your washing machine and provide a source of food for mold. So if you have a high-efficiency washing machine, the first thing you should do is make sure you're using a detergent that's made specifically for that type of washing machine and produces less foam. (Look for the letters HE on the bottle.)

Better yet, leave out liquid detergent altogether and switch to powder or capsule detergent. Whatever you choose, make sure you only use the amount needed to wash your clothes. If you use too much, your clothes may have odors and residue.

Once you've cleaned your washing machine, it's time to move on to the rest of your home. Start in the bathroom: Here's a simple hour-long trick to unclog your showerhead and how to unclog a toilet without a plunger .

More tips and tricks for household cleaning

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