This is a common question that we are all asked as Appliance Experts every day. When it comes to replacing a washing machine, I hear some customers say “I do not want a front load washer!” When I ask the question “Why don’t you like front load washer?” The answers vary a little, but most commonly it is because front loads smell, get mold around the rubber gasket, and they leak. Because of the number of front load washers sold industry wide, most people know of a friend or relative that has owned or currently owns a front load washing machine and they have issues with them. This has been a concern for many people and has caused consumers to be apprehensive about purchasing a front load. 

 

Front load washers have improved over the years and now have improved rubber gaskets, and some have created a special cleaning cycle on the washer to help in preventing issues to occur. The truth is, front load washers are far better than top load washers. Reliability would still roughly be the same on both styles of machines, but front loads offer much larger capacities. The capacities listed by the manufacture of the top load machines give you a total capacity of the wash tub. The fact is that you are supposed to fill the tub only ¾ of drum capacity to ensure a proper roll over action. A front load machine you can fill almost full and still achieve a proper rollover action because of the way the drum is rotating. 

 

 

How to Prevent Odours and Mold in your Front Load Washer

Mold and mildew are a result of standing water in the machine and excessive laundry detergents and softeners. 

 

1. Leave the door of the washing machine open after a load. This will help dry out the remaining moisture left in the machine. Also drying the remaining water left in the rubber gasket will help prevent issues occurring. 

 

 

2. Be careful with detergents! Front load machines require HE (High-efficiency) laundry soap. This can be found across almost every brand of laundry soap manufacturer. This is a low sudsing detergent vs regular laundry detergent. Since the high efficiency washer uses very little water, very little soap is needed to do a load. This is extremely important! Products like fabric softeners need to be diluted with water. The ratio can sometimes change so refer to the specific softener being used. 

 

3. Clean Washer Cycle. This cycle is a high temperature wash that in some cases should be combined with a Washing Machine Cleaner. This would be specially designed to prevent odours caused by bacteria and residue. This cycle is recommended to be run every 40 loads. 

 

4. Do Not Leave Wet Clothes in the Washer. This can encourage odors to start. There are some washers that are available that have extra spinning available accompanied with a fan so those wet stagnant smells are not setting in. 

 

 

 

 

Following these easy steps can ensure your washer is performing the way it should. Cutting back on the detergents can not only save you money, but save frustrating issues with odours occurring!