Is your washing machine giving off an unpleasant smell? Are you noticing black mold around the corners and crevices? These are common signs of washing machine mold. This article explains whether it’s dangerous, how to remove it, and how to prevent it in the future.
About this guide: Compiled by the HomeNerdy Editorial Team, this article was last reviewed in September 2026.
Scope: This guide covers identifying, removing, and preventing mold in a washing machine.
Is Washing Machine Mold Dangerous?
The short and simple answer is yes, it’s dangerous to your health. It may not seem like a problem at first, but be cautious: mold can make its way into your clothes, exposing your skin and eyes, and it can even find its way inside your body.
Mold exposure may cause: headaches, nausea, itching of the eyes, skin irritation, and lung problems such as coughing and irritation.
For your well-being, keep your washer completely free of mold.
Also read: Simple Steps to Clean Your Washing Machine Properly for how to prevent washing machine mold from coming back.
How To Make Sure You’re Dealing With Washing Machine Mold
Mold loves damp, dark places, which makes your washer the perfect breeding ground. Every wash cycle builds up moisture and humidity inside the machine, and if you don’t clean it regularly, mold will slowly start to grow. Because it develops so gradually, it can go unnoticed in the early stages. We recommend checking for it whenever you’re filling or emptying the washing machine.
How to detect washing machine mold:
- Look for black or colored “dirt.” Thoroughly inspect all the crevices of your washing machine.
- Unpleasant, dusty, earthy smells. If you can’t find any visible growth, check for an unpleasant smell instead.
- Observe your health. Physical symptoms after using your washing machine can point to mold exposure, though such irritation may also signal an unrelated issue.
How To Keep Your Washing Machine Free of Mold
Preventing mold from growing is always the best approach. Here’s what to do to keep your washing machine mold-free:
- Clean your washing machine regularly. Clean the entire machine at least once every two months. Procrastinating gives mold the chance to grow, handing you more work later.
- Keep the washing machine door open. After finishing a load, don’t immediately close the door — leave it open for a few hours so the humidity that built up during the cycle can escape.
- Keep the laundry room door open. Don’t permanently close the laundry room door, especially right after a wash, so air can circulate and let the machine dry properly.
- Don’t leave wet clothes in the washer. Remove wet clothes immediately after washing; leaving damp clothes inside promotes mold growth and makes your clothes smell.
- Install a dehumidifier in the laundry room. This removes excess moisture from the air, and without moisture, mold won’t grow.
How To Remove Washing Machine Mold
Once you notice mold in your washer, deal with it immediately, since it remains a health hazard even if you don’t feel symptoms right away. Follow this step-by-step guide to cleanse your washing machine of mold.
Requirements: vinegar, gloves, fragrant soap, paper towels or cleaning rags, and optionally a spray bottle.
Time to complete: about 30 minutes.
1. Spray Vinegar on the Machine
Pour white vinegar into a spray bottle and spray it all over your washing machine, including the outside of the machine, the gasket rings, the detergent tray, the filter, the door, and any other accessible parts.
2. Soak the Detergent Tray in White Vinegar
Since this area is especially susceptible to moisture buildup (and therefore mold), soak it in vinegar to remove any present mold.
3. Wait for the Mold to Die
After spraying your washing machine, let it sit for one or two hours. This gives the vinegar enough time to act on the mold.
4. Use a Towel to Clean
Use a towel or paper towel to clean every part of the washing machine.
5. Use a Brush to Scrub the Machine
Seek out any leftover mold and scrub it off with a brush, then finish with a towel.
6. Wash and Scrub the Filter
Mold and dirt accumulate in the filter. Place a bucket underneath before opening the filter area, since it will catch the filthy trapped water. Remove the filter, take off the debris, scrub thoroughly, and rinse under hot water before putting it back in place.
7. Run a Hot Wash Program
Most washing machines have a self-cleaning wash program; if yours doesn’t, run a cycle at the highest possible temperature setting. Include one to two cups of white vinegar in the inner drum before running it.
8. Clean Again With a Lemon Wash
Once the mold is gone, clean your washing machine again using a strongly scented wash, like a lemon-scented one, to eliminate any leftover musty smell. If the smell remains, use the lemon wash to clean your floor as well.
Conclusion
It’s definitely dangerous to have black mold in your washing machine. It can cause a range of health problems, on top of producing an unpleasant musty smell. Clean your washing machine regularly to prevent mold growth, but check periodically for signs, just to be sure. If you do detect mold, use the step-by-step guide above to eliminate it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is washing machine mold actually dangerous?
Yes. It can cause headaches, nausea, eye and skin irritation, and lung problems, especially with repeated exposure.
How often should I clean my washing machine to prevent mold?
At least once every two months, along with leaving the door open between washes so moisture can escape.
Can I use bleach instead of vinegar to remove mold?
Vinegar is the method covered in this guide, since it’s effective, cheap, and gentle on washing machine parts. Always check your machine’s manual before introducing a different chemical, and never mix cleaning products together.
Why does my washing machine still smell musty after cleaning?
A lingering smell often means some mold or residue is still present, or the machine needs more time to air dry between washes. Try the lemon-scented rewash step above, and make sure you’re leaving the door open after each load.
