Moldy washer bellow-should I continue to use it
I just moved in to this place and found out the washer bellow moldy like this. There’s water leaking too when we tried to run a cycle. We couldn’t inspect the washer before renting because it was running during our visit. Is this mold? I’d like to ask for…
I just moved in to this place and found out the washer bellow moldy like this. There’s water leaking too when we tried to run a cycle. We couldn’t inspect the washer before renting because it was running during our visit. Is this mold? I’d like to ask for your advice if I should continue to use it or not. I read you can clean it, but I’m not sure if it would be necessary at all since it is quite extensive and a replacement might be needed. I’ve never encountered something like this. I have informed the landlord but repair is not confirmed yet. Do you think the bellow needs to be replaced? I think the machines is around 10-15 years old. Thanks a lot! Edit: Thank you all for the suggestions! This washer is in a rental unit that I just moved into. I've had both front load and top load washers in previous rentals, and they were all fairly new, so I wasn't expecting to find mold, especially on the visible part. I always leave the washer door open. I guess when I posted the question I meant to ask if I could still use the washer for maybe another one or two loads(whether it would be safe) while waiting for it to be repaired, since I’m running out of clean clothes. But like the top comment had said, it also leaks so I won’t use it any further until it is repaired! Knowing that this is a common issue with front load washer I also bought washer cleaner. Thanks again for all the advice!
Collected discussion
Regardless of the mould, I would not use a leaking washer...
Definitely going to use the laundromat until it is repaired. I did a load yesterday thinking it was old stains. Then I read all of that can transfer to my clothes
Thanks! Will do this going forward
Yeah, I'm baffled that the previous tenants were able to ignore it and never reported it. There's also mold on the ceiling hidden inside the curtain box that they didn't report either but that’s another story
Thank you! I saw recommendations about the washing machine gel somewhere else too
Bleach doesn’t kill mold well on rubber surfaces. It destroys rubber
Thanks! Because of the leak, I won't use it any further. I saw that replacement parts are around $100–150, but like you said, it's probably more expensive than buying a new one once you factor in the cost of hiring a technician.
My top washer has to be left open. I'd say all type of washing machine have to be left open.
A leaking anything is a landlord nightmare. It gets worse when these things are not reported and they cause additional damage. This is your first opportunity to find out if this landlord cares about keeping the property in top shape or not. As a landlord, at minimum, I'd replace the gasket, and teach you to keep the door open between uses to allow the machine to dry.
For this type of washer I suggest leaving it open to air dry after use
Sure looks like mold. It can be cleaned but it should have been before moving in.
This is 100% on landlord to fix and should not have rented it out with mold anywhere
Clean with bleach. Leave door open to let dry after wiping dry between gaskets.
The gasket is cooked, but also replaceable. The leak could be from the gasket as well. If not, it' could be leaking from the clean out hose not being properly plugged (on the front of the washer, behind a little panel). Another common issue, is if the detergent drawer is above the door hinges, over time water, detergent and bleach (especially bleach) get on the hinge and corrode it to the point that the door doesn't operate smoothly, won't close properly. Or the leak can be a bad clamp or misaligned hose at the drain pump. Landlord should just get a new unit though, since this one was clearly not maintained and might have even more issues waiting to pop up.
If you are leasing, that mess SHOULD have been taken care of by the landlord BEFORE you moved in. Take plenty of time-stamped videos and notify the landlord. If they won't do anything, run the longest cycle on full hot water, with a cup of bleach. Do it a 2nd time. Then a 3rd time.
The gasket can be replaced and the machine cleaned. The leak needs to be resolved. Notify the owner, it would be negligent to run a known leaking washer.
Landlord’s problem. Do not DIY. If washer was provided per the lease, tell them you will be writing your laundromat costs off the rent until you have a working machine.
If it is leaking it should be repaired or replaced. If you plan to continue using it it should be cleaned. I mix bleach and water in a spray bottle. Spray the area and wait. If it gets better continue spraying. A good wipe down at the end with soap and water and then drying with a towel is a good idea. That is how I cleaned ours and now leave the door open so it can dry after use.
Ohhhhh. I would try to get the whole thing replaced. Or at least deal with it leaking. BUT being a tenant is weird and sometimes the landlords stink and you just deal with things longer than you want to. If you want to try to clean the gasket- search specifically for Sugelary Washing Machine Gel on Amazon. I tried many many things on my gasket and this is the only thing that got that type of stain out.
My personal washer looked much like that behind the flap of the gasket, but the visible portion of the gasket looked just fine. I have used it that way for quite some time and haven't died yet, unless you are sensitive I'm guessing you'd be fine to use it. Now, I sure as shit wouldn't accept that if I was renting. It is unacceptable and indicative of a lack of maintenance (.....oh the irony....). Cleaning of the gasket is no trivial task, at least not for me. I tried scrubbing it and it would not come off. I tried tub clean cycles with bleach, no impact. Same deal with citric acid, no impact. FYI if you decide to clean it that way, make damn sure that the bleach is fully rinsed out before trying citric acid, and vise versa. Mixing of the two will cause chlorine gas which is very bad to breathe in, I presume bad for your eyes and probably skin and everything else in life. What worked for me to get it out was soaking washcloths in straight full strength bleach and packing them into the folds of the gasket and letting it marinade for like 1.5-2hr. It fully disentigrated the washcloths, but also killed off the mold to where I could scrub it off. It turned this white chalky substance that would actually scrub off. The real fix is that it needs a new gasket installed. Depending on the age of the unit, it's probably more worthwhile for the owner to just buy a new unit. I presume you also have mold all throughout the tub as well, as to get mold on the visible portion of the gasket the previous renters needed to have closed the door while the unit was wet and left it that way so it couldn't dry out. So I presume the back side of the drum and the interior of the tub holding in the water are just plastered with mold. So when the tech comes to replace the gasket, try to be around and look into the drum/tub area and see if there is a ton more mold. I bet there is which would require cleaning/replacing. And again, probably just cheaper to buy an entire new unit. I was quoted like $500-600 to replace just my gasket by appliance techs. A new unit would be like $800. TLDR: I don't think you'll die (unless you make the chlorine gas, so again be very careful), but I wouldn't accept that state of washer from a rental unit.
if it's not yours, i would spend $10 on vinegar (3/4 gallon bottles) and dump a full bottle in, run a wash cycle, and repeat 3-4 times whatever your $10 got you. If it looks clean and smells ok, might be ok. If it doesn't I would say probably time to go to the coin laundry
Put on a mask, get the gasket wet, spread pool shock all over the mold. Let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Run through multiple rinse cycles. All the mold will dissappear.
That’s way more mold than what I normally see on front loading dryers. Top loading will eliminate this issue. It’s one of the main reasons people buy top load dryers.
Jesus, how did it get to this point without anyone trying to fix it??
I can hardly stand to look at that let alone TOUCH it! Eek!!!