A few years ago we bought a new front loading washing machine and matching dryer. I love it! It has a huge capacity, like triple load or something. I have a big family, and keeping up laundry for a family of 8 can be challenging. When I got the front load washing machine and matching dryer, my life in the laundry room changed for ever! I was no longer washing a full load of towels every single day. Every three days, yes. Now there was a mountain of clean laundry to fold when they came out of the dryer. But at least they were clean and smelled good!
Well, about 3 months after we purchased the set, my washing machine started to smell really bad. Lucky for me, something went wrong with the thing, and I had to call out a repairman. It is the only time it has needed repaired. The repairman told me how to get rid of the smell and keep it from smelling in the future.
- Keep the door open when the washing machine is not in use.
- Run a load on the hot cycle at least once a week. Using a little bleach in the dispenser will help, but it isn’t necessary.
- Clean out the front of the machine, behind the rubber gasket.
So that is it, we’ve been stink free ever since.
However. Yep… there is a however.
I thought my washing machine was nice and clean, but the other day I noticed there was some dirt and grimey looking stuff up around the detergent dispenser. I thought it was strange. I cleaned it with a Clorox wipe. It looked okay. I thought maybe one of the boys hadn’t been careful when he was adding tide to the wash. Well, I took the dispenser thing out. It took a little tug and I realized there was a release button to push on…. I’m including photos to encourage you to check your own washing machine… this was no doubt a real big bad bacteria zone, and I had no idea, until I pulled this thing out to clean the detergent dispenser better.
The dispenser came out and oh my goodness!
I was so grossed out by what I saw in there behind the dispenser…
I am pretty sure that is some form of black mold. Can you imagine!!? Yeah. Me either! I was completely grossed out!
So I gathered my supplies… 
After I cleaned the dispenser with the wipes and even q-tips, I soaked it in a big tub of water with bleach added. 
All clean and put back together.
Are you curious about my wall next to the washing machine? It is an old picket fence.
The white picket fence is cute with my laundry line wall paper. 
Quirky? Maybe. But I love it! It makes me happy. Yep my picket fence and shiny clean washing machine make me happy.
So now you should go check your washing machine… behind the laundry detergent / fabric softener / bleach dispenser. Even if you have a standard top loading washing machine… check it just to make sure you don’t have extra additives (bacteria and mold) going into your wash along with the soap.
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