by Sarah Welch posted in Tips & Tricks

Is there anything worse than a mountain of dirty laundry" How about a mountain of laundry you've just cleaned that reeks of mildew. Especially towels. There's nothing worse than burying your face in a clean towel and inhaling a dank mildewy smell. Right"
If you have a front-load, HE washer, this scenario is far more common than you might realize. While the technology in HE washers is wonderful (they use much less water than traditional top loaders and their spin cycle is truly mind-blowingly awesome), over time humid conditions can lead to mold in two zones: the gasket (that rubber seal on the inside of the door), and the drum.

The Causes of HE Washer Mold
Let's start with the gasket, which is the most common culprit when it comes to washer mold. The reason is simple: the gasket doesn't get much of a rinse. During a typical wash cycle, only a small amount of water is splashed past the seal, and over time, detergent and gunk accumulate in the folds as the water evaporates. Combine that with the fact that humidity stays trapped in the folds and you've got a recipe for the stinky stuff. If you notice a strong moldy odor when you open the door to the washer, pull back the rubber gasket and examine the folds for black mold.
The second area mold residue forms is the inside of the drum. The main cause here is humidity combined with residue from laundry detergents and fabric softeners that cling to the inside of the washer. Nom. No...