Guest guest Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Kathleen, Mold is almost inevitable in washers, wherever you keep them because you have water and dust. Front loaders are worse than top loaders. I may have posted this previously but it is important to keep the washing-machine door open after use so water can dry out. Whatever brand you buy, get directions on how to take the wshing machine apart to clean lint from inside the drum, agitator, etc. When a mold smell develops, to get rid of the mold you have to take the whole thing apart and clean and disinfect individual surfaces. It's not really much of a job for a top loader; the cleaning can be done without even moving the machine. If no one is handy, get a service contract and the technician (as Sears did for us) can do it as part of the contract. Then purchase tablets that you put in once a month to disinfect. The mold grows on accumulated lint in places you cannot reach without dismantling the washer. May May Indoor Air Investigations LLC www.mayindoorair.com > > We are moving house soon and buying new things. I started to do some research toward purchasing a washing machine. So many of the reviews mentioned mold as a problem. I got scared. We had mold in our machine. I thought it was because it was in the basement. But, now I see that many of the machines are poorly designed and don't drain completely. > Can anyone recommend a washer that does drain well & not have issues with culturing mold? What do you all do about laundry? > Please help. I am feeling so overwhelmed! Any tips on moving are appreciated. > Kathleen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 I have a Sears front loader and have never had a problem. I always keep the door open and have it serviced every Spring. Sears man told me to use the liquid rinse(called Washer Magic) every 3 months to clean it. He also said using cold water all the time is worse and should use warm every other wash. I would think the opposite but I do what he tells me. Our dehumidifier is right next to the washer... so far all has been well and have had the washer for 10 yrs. You can buy Washer Magic for dishwashers as well. Mold is almost inevitable in washers, wherever you keep them because you have water and dust. Front loaders are worse than top loaders. I may have posted this previously but it is important to keep the washing-machine door open after use so water can dry out. Whatever brand you buy, get directions on how to take the wshing machine apart to clean lint from inside the drum, agitator, etc. When a mold smell develops, to get rid of the mold you have to take the whole thing apart and clean and disinfect individual surfaces. It's not really much of a job for a top loader; the cleaning can be done without even moving the machine. If no one is handy, get a service contract and the technician (as Sears did for us) can do it as part of the contract. Then purchase tablets that you put in once a month to disinfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 I have a front loader Maytag and noticed musty odors when I first starting using it. Keeping doors open helped, as did wiping rubber seals at the front with dilute bleach. Two years ago, we installed an ultra violet light system that treats water before it goes into the washer. No odors since installation of the UV treatment system. An added benefit is that I now only use cold water and do not have to use detergent or fabric softener. I also purchased one for my daughter. It has helped tremendously with my granddaughter's eczema > > > I have a Sears front loader and have never had a problem. I always keep the > door open and have it serviced every Spring. Sears man told me to use the > liquid rinse(called Washer Magic) every 3 months to clean it. He also said > using cold water all the time is worse and should use warm every other > wash. I would think the opposite but I do what he tells me. Our dehumidifier > is right next to the washer... so far all has been well and have had the > washer for 10 yrs. > You can buy Washer Magic for dishwashers as well. > > > Mold is almost inevitable in washers, wherever you keep them because you > have water and dust. > > Front loaders are worse than top loaders. > > I may have posted this previously but it is important to keep the > washing-machine door open after use so water can dry out. > > Whatever brand you buy, get directions on how to take the wshing machine > apart to clean lint from inside the drum, agitator, etc. When a mold smell > develops, to get rid of the mold you have to take the whole thing apart and > clean and disinfect individual surfaces. It's not really much of a job for > a top loader; the cleaning can be done without even moving the machine. If > no one is handy, get a service contract and the technician (as Sears did > for us) can do it as part of the contract. > > Then purchase tablets that you put in once a month to disinfect. > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 The ultra violet light system sounds interesting. I never heard of it but would like some information about it and who installs it. Just a regular plumber? Thanks very much! I have a front loader Maytag and noticed musty odors when I first starting using it. Keeping doors open helped, as did wiping rubber seals at the front with dilute bleach. Two years ago, we installed an ultra violet light system that treats water before it goes into the washer. No odors since installation of the UV treatment system. An added benefit is that I now only use cold water and do not have to use detergent or fabric softener. I also purchased one for my daughter. It has helped tremendously with my granddaughter'I have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 I sure do not know enough about this type of filter. But it reminds me of similar issues with uv lights in air ducts. My lay-sense is that either water or air would be passing too quickly through the uv light for it to do any good. But I can see that a good quality uv light that was shining in the area where mold might develop after the fact when the moisture was just sitting there-- much the same way that possibly well placed uv lights might keep bacteria and mold from forming on air coils. Any thoughts? Thanks,Sam  You can order over the internet at https://www. vollara.com/ shop/environment al-purity and have a plumber or handyman install it. The product is Laundry Pure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 The problem with the front loading washing machines was that the mold would grow around the rubber on the door of the machine. How would treating the water with UV before if goes into the machine have anything to do with that. I dont understand how that would have anything to do with water causing mold on the rubber. It has nothing to do with the quality of the water. D > > This is not a filter. Unlike UV lights in air duct systems, which I agree have questionable retention life, the Laundry Pure system treats water as it passes through a chamber before entering the washing machine. The reactions are much quicker than with air. Additional silver catalyst are present to facilitate the sanitizing process. The UV lights are not in the washer, but in a closed chamber mounted above the washer. The cold air passes through this chamber. The process is similar to waste water treatment and treatment of spa water. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 The water that is treated with UV has hydroxyl radicals that kill mold. So being in contact with the rubber, it kills the mold. It definitely works on mine. I even forget to leave the door open and it works. ________________________________ From: on behalf of dianebolton52 Sent: Fri 3/19/2010 1:43 PM Subject: [] Re: washing machine? The problem with the front loading washing machines was that the mold would grow around the rubber on the door of the machine. How would treating the water with UV before if goes into the machine have anything to do with that. I dont understand how that would have anything to do with water causing mold on the rubber. It has nothing to do with the quality of the water. D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Jeff, the type of tablet you put into washing machine, is it a chlorine tablet, like those tablets you put into toilet tanks? I have a front loader I have never taken apart. > >Kathleen, > > Mold is almost inevitable in washers, wherever you keep them because you have water and dust. > > Front loaders are worse than top loaders. > > I may have posted this previously but it is important to keep the washing-machine door open after use so water can dry out. > > Whatever brand you buy, get directions on how to take the wshing machine apart to clean lint from inside the drum, agitator, etc. When a mold smell develops, to get rid of the mold you have to take the whole thing apart and clean and disinfect individual surfaces. It's not really much of a job for a top loader; the cleaning can be done without even moving the machine. If no one is handy, get a service contract and the technician (as Sears did for us) can do it as part of the contract. > > Then purchase tablets that you put in once a month to disinfect. > > The mold grows on accumulated lint in places you cannot reach without dismantling the washer. > > May > May Indoor Air Investigations LLC > www.mayindoorair.com > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Do you have any connection to, or receive any benefit from the sale of this product Connie? > > This is not a filter. Unlike UV lights in air duct systems, which I agree have questionable retention life, the Laundry Pure system treats water as it passes through a chamber before entering the washing machine. The reactions are much quicker than with air. Additional silver catalyst are present to facilitate the sanitizing process. The UV lights are not in the washer, but in a closed chamber mounted above the washer. The cold air passes through this chamber. The process is similar to waste water treatment and treatment of spa water. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 19, 2010 Report Share Posted March 19, 2010 Connie, I don't see how it would matter if ultra violet light were used with water or air. In air, we know that air passing by the light in ductwork is not exposed to ultra violet light long enough to kill germs, why would the time be any different with water than with air? A germ is a germ and I would think the time for ultra violet light to kill it would be the same regardless if germ were in water or air. Another question, how does the ultra violet light make a difference that allows you to use cold water instead of hot and no detergent? > > I have a front loader Maytag and noticed musty odors when I first starting using it. Keeping doors open helped, as did wiping rubber seals at the front with dilute bleach. Two years ago, we installed an ultra violet light system that treats water before it goes into the washer. No odors since installation of the UV treatment system. An added benefit is that I now only use cold water and do not have to use detergent or fabric softener. I also purchased one for my daughter. It has helped tremendously with my granddaughter's eczema > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Connie, Hydroxyl radicals (if they are generated by the UV at all) have only the briefest lifetime and would react completely long before entering the washer. " The lifetime of the hydroxyl radical in aqueous environment is of the order of microsecond, which make experimental studies difficult. " (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp0461807) More than likely, the UV is partially sanitizing the water before it enters the washer. BTW, great post on duct cleaning. May May Indoor air Investigations LLC www.mayindoorair.com > > The water that is treated with UV has hydroxyl radicals that kill mold. So being in contact with the rubber, it kills the mold. It definitely works on mine. I even forget to leave the door open and it works. > > ________________________________ > > From: on behalf of dianebolton52 > Sent: Fri 3/19/2010 1:43 PM > > Subject: [] Re: washing machine? > > > The problem with the front loading washing machines was that the mold would grow around the rubber on the door of the machine. How would treating the water with UV before if goes into the machine have anything to do with that. I dont understand how that would have anything to do with water causing mold on the rubber. It has nothing to do with the quality of the water. D > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 I have used the tablets - called " Afresh " I think. IF you are MCS/sensitive to strong odors, you would have to avoid this product OR be able to hold your breath while throwing it in (It did leave a scent trail, I noticed), OR have a kindly spouse who is more capable of this work. I even got my handy dandy labeling machine, and made a little label for all to see right above the washer door that says, " Washer must be kept open when not in use. " Also, the washer is right over an HVAC vent - for better or worse. > > > >Kathleen, > > > > Mold is almost inevitable in washers, wherever you keep them because you have water and dust. > > > > Front loaders are worse than top loaders. > > > > I may have posted this previously but it is important to keep the washing-machine door open after use so water can dry out. > > > > Whatever brand you buy, get directions on how to take the wshing machine apart to clean lint from inside the drum, agitator, etc. When a mold smell develops, to get rid of the mold you have to take the whole thing apart and clean and disinfect individual surfaces. It's not really much of a job for a top loader; the cleaning can be done without even moving the machine. If no one is handy, get a service contract and the technician (as Sears did for us) can do it as part of the contract. > > > > Then purchase tablets that you put in once a month to disinfect. > > > > The mold grows on accumulated lint in places you cannot reach without dismantling the washer. > > > > May > > May Indoor Air Investigations LLC > > www.mayindoorair.com > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Barb, We are using Maytag " Affresh " tablets. These contain sodium percarbonate as the active ingredient. Percarbonate generates hydrogen peroxide in water and is not a chlorine-containing bleach. Recommended use is one tablet once a month. The tablets have a slight citrus smell. May www.mayindoorair.com > > Jeff, the type of tablet you put into washing machine, is it a chlorine tablet, like those tablets you put into toilet tanks? I have a front loader I have never taken apart. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 Thanks Jeff, Perhaps it is the sanitized water. I do know that I no longer get mold that I used to in my Maytag front loader. ________________________________ From: on behalf of jmhiaq Sent: Sat 3/20/2010 10:02 AM Subject: [] Re: washing machine? Connie, Hydroxyl radicals (if they are generated by the UV at all) have only the briefest lifetime and would react completely long before entering the washer. " The lifetime of the hydroxyl radical in aqueous environment is of the order of microsecond, which make experimental studies difficult. " (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp0461807 <http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jp0461807> ) More than likely, the UV is partially sanitizing the water before it enters the washer. BTW, great post on duct cleaning. May May Indoor air Investigations LLC www.mayindoorair.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 20, 2010 Report Share Posted March 20, 2010 I used a liquid product called Washer Magic sold by the Sears Repair man. Are you familiar with that or are the tablets better. Also where can I buy them? Thanks so much! Sue Barb, We are using Maytag " Affresh " tablets. These contain sodium percarbonate as the active ingredient. Percarbonate generates hydrogen peroxide in water and is not a chlorine-containing bleach. Recommended use is one tablet once a month. The tablets have a slight citrus smell. May www.mayindoorair.www Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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