"MOLD"..Front load washing machine

[BETHPAGE BLACK]

Big correction here..previus thread was erroneously listed as top-load...I really did mean Front Load.....Anyone who has one in their garage, let me know if it presents a MOLD problem..also do you really save that much on water?????
Thanks everyone....Laura

[pooh]

You had a few responses, Beth, including one from me. not sure where the original thread is. I have a front loader, though not in the garage here. It was in the garage when I lived in CA. Not as humid as here, but hotter in the summer. I would just leave the front door open when I was finished with the laundry to let the inside dry out. One thing you have to do periodically ( maybe after every washing day here) is wipe the rubber gasket type thingy around the opening. Water can collect in that rubber gasket and get smelly and moldy. I just take a towel and dry around the gasket, outside and inside.

[Pturner]

I have a front-load in Atlanta, not in garage. I always leave the door open after using it to let the rubber dry. I've never had to wipe it though.

Yes, it uses much less water.

[Mikitv]

Same here this is my second front loader both in warm climates but not garages. I know that my manuel suggest keeping the moisture wiped off the door and gasket or leave it open to air dry. This last set is best washer and dryer I've had. Both front loaders.

[Tweety Bird]

Yup, I keep the front loader door open so it dries out and doesn't produce mold. I periodically run it on it's own with HOT water and clorox. I would never have my machines in a garage in this FL heat. IMHO

[kaydee]

I currently have front loader and it is in my garage where it has been now for 2 yrs and no problems what so ever with mold. Yes, I do leave the door ajar and I don't usually wipe the rubber gasket. Prior to what I now have, the top loaders were also in garage for 7+ yrs and never a problem with mold or odors. Personally, I truly like having the units in the garage.

[tony]

Miki,


What brand of front loaders do you have now that you said is the best you have had?

Mrs. Tony is looking for a new set.

[BETHPAGE BLACK]

Thanks for the information..Unfortuantely I have no choice I must put the units in the garage where it is hot. But sounds like we just need to keep as dry as possible and dring the rubber "thingy". I also heard you really need to use low suds detergent. Sounds like front load is the way to go with the savings on water..Now I need to determine which brand..Heard Samsung is really good..also Whirlpool and LG....Thanks again and any other information you can pass on will also be helpful..Laura

[MelZ]

Tony we have LG front loading washer and dryer, which are stacked to save room. We are very happy with them and have had no issues.

[kaydee]

Ours are LG...I liked the specs on the units as well as the base drawers, which are an extra cost. The base drawers are plenty deep enough without being too large and therefore the W/D units are not unreasonably high. I am still able to use the top for folding purposes. Also, the control panel on mine is located on a raised panel on the top. The design is about the same as a top loader as far as the buttons & dials. I found this design to be a little more user friendly since what I need to see is at eye level versus being on the front of the unit. Yes, front loaders require special products that are available in all stores. The products with have a little "he" symbol on the label.
Laura (Bethpage)...don't worry about the units being in garage....mine have been there and to date we've had no problems with mold and yes my garage does get very hot.

[Susan G]

Although I do not reside in TV yet, I do live in South Louisiana where we have 100% humidity. I have a front load washer/dryer and always dry the gasket and leave the door slightly open, even though it is inside my home. There are also cleaning tablets (called Affresh) you can purchase and run through the cycle to remove odors and residue from the washer.

One important thing to consider, Tony, as you shop for your new purchase...make SURE the washer has a "Quick Wash" cycle. That cycle on my unit is only 28 minutes and you'll use it often. I have Whirlpool Duet Sport with the pedestals and am very happy with them.:smiley:

[vj1213]

I used to have LG but when I moved here I bought Samsung steam. I asked at a couple of places which had fewer problems and was told they hardly ever had a complaint with the Samsungs. They have been great so far.

[boobear51751]

I have a large front load Sears and I have had it in both locations. The mildew happens no matter where I have had it located. It is the hot humid air. Never had this problem in upstate NY. You just need to make sure you clean it at least once a month with a mildew remover spray. I alway run my whites as a last load as well because I use a bleach of some sort in that load. Hope this helps.
BooBear

[graciegirl]

I have a front-load in Atlanta, not in garage. I always leave the door open after using it to let the rubber dry. I've never had to wipe it though.

Yes, it uses much less water.

Ditto...here at our rental. I REALLY like it.

[ham62]

I have a front loader GE, although not in the garage, I have never had any smell mold etc. It is recommended to use a laudry det marked HE, for High Efficiency. Low sudsing is the key. No matter what size load I do, I make sure the control is always on highest spin. This really cuts down on the drying time. When all the laundry is finished, it was advised on installation, peel back the rubber and leave a small face cloth or guest towel in there. This is where you water will remain. I also leave the door open at least overnight. Also the other suggestion is remove the det-fabric softner desenser. This too also collects water. I pull it out when I'm finished rinse it at the sink, wipe it dry and let is completely dry.

Trust me, in garage or not you'll never have an order or mold
I hope this helps.

[Christine L.]

Yes, the front loaders do get moldy, and yes you do save water! At the grocery store in the detergent isle there are special bleaches that are specifically made to kill the mold in the front load washers, also you have to clean the rubber door seal out. The name of the cleaner that I am using is clorox washing machine cleaner. I use it every month. It keeps your laundry from smelling musty...christine

[Pturner]

Ours is also an LG. It's the best washer we've had also.

[ladydoc]

Our front loaders are in the garage and so far so good. I do laundry first thing in the morning before it gets really hot in there. I had these about a year in California.I always dry the front inside glass and the gasket. I have used Affresh in the past every few months just to make sure it was clean inside. I have a Samsung washer and an LG dryer. I had an LG washer, but it started "walking" after a few months. The drum kept flinging itself from side to side really HARD. Sears needed some convincing that it needed to be replaced, but they finally came around. My personal favorite excuse they gave me was "as long as it is washing your clothes it is doing what it is supposed to do." Walking into my walls did not impress them. LOL I think they get clothes cleaner and softer then other washer/dryers do. Be sure you get detergent that says it is OK for HE..there are LOTS of choices.

[DDoug]

Its a good possibility you have a Maytag Neptune maybe and if you do the drain in the gray colored boot holds water just spray so bleach in that area and it will clean up . Used to repair those and that was the only thing you can do to stop it.

[goodgrief]

Okay this is what we do. Had a problem the first year but no more. Front loaders need help. They don't tell you this one you buy it!! A repairman told us what was going on. We have an LG as well.

First thing, when done, take the tray out, wipe out that area and leave the tray out. We usually have it set on top of the washer until needed. Make sure you wipe extra water out of your dryer, especially seal. And leave the door open to allow it to dry. And most importantly clean your drum...we use the tide machine cleaner packet. You take the cup out of your tray and poor the powder in the detergent compartment and run the cycle as instructed. This cleans the inside and outside of your drum!! The mold tends to collect on the outside where you can't get to this. We battled this for awhile and the tide machine cleaner has been a lifesaver. Awesome product. We run one once a month. Good luck.

[Happinow]

We have an LG front loader and love it. It also has a quick wash cycle which I use always. 28 minutes and your laundry is clean. We don't really get our clothes "dirty" so the quick cycle works. Saves on water and energy. We also have the pedestals for both washer and dryer and love them.

[asianthree]

i use the front loader cleaner every couple weeks, what ever is on sale it helps lots

[JC and John]

Thanks for the information..Unfortuantely I have no choice I must put the units in the garage where it is hot. But sounds like we just need to keep as dry as possible and dring the rubber "thingy". I also heard you really need to use low suds detergent. Sounds like front load is the way to go with the savings on water..Now I need to determine which brand..Heard Samsung is really good..also Whirlpool and LG....Thanks again and any other information you can pass on will also be helpful..Laura

This is our second Samsung front load washer and dryer. Love them! First set conveyed when house sold. Get them with the pedestals. Lots of storage for laundry room stuff. Never considered stacking them as some folks do as I am only 5'3" and can not reach the dials or read settings on dryer which is on the top and I am not about to use a stool. They are a little pricey but I think worth it especially the steam dryer. The new front loaders now have a specific cycle to clean out the detergent residue that can cause odors and mildew.