Guest guest Posted November 6, 2010 Report Share Posted November 6, 2010 I don't think the fact you put something in there has ruined machine. Maybe machine is getting moldy itself? Is the machine in your basement or in main part of house? > > As usual, I tried to search the archives for info and it's so hard. So I'm asking again. > I think my washer (top loader) got contaminated by some mold on a piece of clothing. (I'm never washing anything from my Mom again!) I don't know for sure but my eyes are killing me and I've lost my appetite so there's mold somewhere. > Anyway, bottom line-is it worth taking the tub out and cleaning or should I just buy a new one? > PS I've done a bunch of cycles with bleach, peroxide, vinegar, borax, over and over again but no improvement. > Thanks for your help, Surella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 7, 2010 Report Share Posted November 7, 2010 It's upstairs in the den. If that's true and it's not moldy from a piece of clothing, why is it getting moldy? I keep the lid open 100% of the time and I've had a washer there for 20 years with no problem. I'm more sensitive now, is that it? I've already given up on AC's now I have to lose washing machines? Are you sure it's not from clothing? > > > > As usual, I tried to search the archives for info and it's so hard. So I'm asking again. > > I think my washer (top loader) got contaminated by some mold on a piece of clothing. (I'm never washing anything from my Mom again!) I don't know for sure but my eyes are killing me and I've lost my appetite so there's mold somewhere. > > Anyway, bottom line-is it worth taking the tub out and cleaning or should I just buy a new one? > > PS I've done a bunch of cycles with bleach, peroxide, vinegar, borax, over and over again but no improvement. > > Thanks for your help, Surella > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Of course I'm not sure it's true but I'd look around for other reasons. Is there carpeting underneath or flooring that could be dampened by machine, etc. > > It's upstairs in the den. If that's true and it's not moldy from a piece of clothing, why is it getting moldy? I keep the lid open 100% of the time and I've had a washer there for 20 years with no problem. > > I'm more sensitive now, is that it? I've already given up on AC's now I have to lose washing machines? > > Are you sure it's not from clothing? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 What we have to remember that all tap water even if chlorinated is contaminated with some mold. This means that any reservoir that holds water can eventually develop mold growth. Also, the same is true for bacteria. For example, Proteus sp. can contaminate stored distilled water. At room temperature the generation of Proteus is 60 minutes. That is every sixty minutes the population will double until stationary phase is reached. All Proteus needs for the growth is source of nitrogen and carbon. Both are dissolved in water. The mold can grow on the inside of hose and in reservoir that hold water in the washing machine. Therefore, you may have both mold and bacteria. Jack-Dwayne: Thrasher, Ph.D. Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist www.drthrasher.org toxicologist1@... Off: 916-745-4703 Cell: 575-937-1150 L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC Trauma Specialist sandracrawley@... 916-745-4703 - Off 775-309-3994 - Cell This message and any attachments forwarded with it is to be considered privileged and confidential. The forwarding or redistribution of this message (and any attachments) without my prior written consent is strictly prohibited and may violate privacy laws. Once the intended purpose of this message has been served, please destroy the original message contents. If you have received this message in error, please reply immediately to advise the sender of the miscommunication and then delete the message and any copies you have printed. Thank you in advance for your compliance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 Thanks Barb-it's the first thing I checked. I even went downstairs and examined the ceiling under the washer to see if the area was damp or anything. Nothing at all. And to really prove it I have closed the top of the washer and closed off the room and lo and behold I don;t smell it anymore. It is still bothering my eyes and mood and appetite because those little mold spores sure do travel but it's inside the machine no doubt. I have some names of repairmen but I just don;t know-I would be the one to clean it when they take it apart and I KNOW that I will be freaking out the whole time and wanting to get away and I will not do a good enough job and will have to buy a new machine anyway. Actually, I'm glad I'm writing this because it sounds dumb and I should be able to do this with help. > > Of course I'm not sure it's true but I'd look around for other reasons. Is there carpeting underneath or flooring that could be dampened by machine, etc. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 So, with all due respect, you're telling me I'm defeated by my washer? I need some practical advice-from what you're saying it seems I should replace the hose (great idea!) and what else? Dump the machine and hope for the best next time? Can it be cleaned? It never happened before-I've had washers for 35 years-is it the brand? I have a Maytag. Anyone have issues with a Maytag? Aaargh, I'm so frustrated! Surella --- In , " Jack Thrasher, Ph.D. " <toxicologist1@...> wrote: > > What we have to remember that all tap water even if chlorinated is contaminated with some mold. This means that any reservoir that holds water can eventually develop mold growth. Also, the same is true for bacteria. For example, Proteus sp. can contaminate stored distilled water. At room temperature the generation of Proteus is 60 minutes. That is every sixty minutes the population will double until stationary phase is reached. All Proteus needs for the growth is source of nitrogen and carbon. Both are dissolved in water. The mold can grow on the inside of hose and in reservoir that hold water in the washing machine. Therefore, you may have both mold and bacteria. > Jack-Dwayne: Thrasher, Ph.D. > Toxicologist/Immunotoxicologist/Fetaltoxicologist > www.drthrasher.org > toxicologist1@... > Off: 916-745-4703 > Cell: 575-937-1150 > > > L. Crawley, M.ED., LADC > Trauma Specialist > sandracrawley@... > 916-745-4703 - Off > 775-309-3994 - Cell > > > > > This message and any attachments forwarded with it is to be considered privileged and confidential. The forwarding or redistribution of this message (and any attachments) without my prior written consent is strictly prohibited and may violate privacy laws. Once the intended purpose of this message has been served, please destroy the original message contents. If you have received this message in error, please reply immediately to advise the sender of the miscommunication and then delete the message and any copies you have printed. Thank you in advance for your compliance. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 Replacing the hose as a first step sounds like a good idea. I think I'll replace the hose on my washer too. Sometimes it smells but I think it is stagnant water if not used in awhile but may be dirty inside after years. > > So, with all due respect, you're telling me I'm defeated by my washer? I need some practical advice-from what you're saying it seems I should replace the hose (great idea!) and what else? Dump the machine and hope for the best next time? Can it be cleaned? > It never happened before-I've had washers for 35 years-is it the brand? I have a Maytag. Anyone have issues with a Maytag? Aaargh, I'm so frustrated! > Surella > > --- In , " Jack Thrasher, Ph.D. " <toxicologist1@> wrote: > > > > What we have to remember that all tap water even if chlorinated is contaminated with some mold. This means that any reservoir that holds water can eventually develop mold growth. Also, the same is true for bacteria. For example, Proteus sp. can contaminate stored distilled water. At room temperature the generation of Proteus is 60 minutes. That is every sixty minutes the population will double until stationary phase is reached. All Proteus needs for the growth is source of nitrogen and carbon. Both are dissolved in water. The mold can grow on the inside of hose and in reservoir that hold water in the washing machine. Therefore, you may have both mold and bacteria. > > Jack-Dwayne: Thrasher, Ph.D. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 I regularly run vinegar and backing soda to clean the machine. The hoses should be replaced every so often because the can weaken and rupture leaving a watery mess. [] Re: Moldy washing machine Replacing the hose as a first step sounds like a good idea. I think I'll replace the hose on my washer too. Sometimes it smells but I think it is stagnant water if not used in awhile but may be dirty inside after years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 Is this a front-loading machine? Because the way those operate, they tend to retain a little bit of water in the door and the basket. Mine even had water in the dispensing cup, so I always emptied that. The way I kept the whole machine nice and fresh was to run vinegar with my clothes and keep the door open, as you do. The vinegar did the trick as far as any musty smell and I think the vinegar has antimicrobial properties. Also, I had an exhaust fan in my laundry room that I ran when I ran the wash machine to keep the whole area dry, so that any remaining water would evaporate. I wouldn't despair. Try vinegar and try keeping the whole room dry (reduce humidification). That should help a lot. From: surellabaer <surellabaer@...> Subject: [] Re: Moldy washing machine Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010, 2:53 PM So, with all due respect, you're telling me I'm defeated by my washer? I need some practical advice-from what you're saying it seems I should replace the hose (great idea!) and what else? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 I had the dreaded Maytag frontloader. They replaced the door seal/gasket on mine and told me to leave door open and I wash with always baking soda, ammonia and occasionally put vinegar in it. Worked except that hose does seem to smell if I have not recently done a wash. Never thought to have it replaced. It's constant vigilance to keep house safe from water, more than I would have though prior to getting sick. Water not only ruins the house but yourself. > > Is this a front-loading machine? Because the way those operate, they tend to retain a little bit of water in the door and the basket. Mine even had water in the dispensing cup, so I always emptied that. The way I kept the whole machine nice and fresh was to run vinegar with my clothes and keep the door open, as you do. The vinegar did the trick as far as any musty smell and I think the vinegar has antimicrobial properties. Also, I had an exhaust fan in my laundry room that I ran when I ran the wash machine to keep the whole area dry, so that any remaining water would evaporate. I wouldn't despair. Try vinegar and try keeping the whole room dry (reduce humidification). That should help a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 I have a top loader. I called Maytag and the woman said she heard of one other person who needed to take out the tub every 6 months and clean away the lint. Well, that's ridiculous! I have run through washes with everything-vinegar, borax, bleach, peroxide, baking soda. Nothing is working so I assume the lint is somewhere the water can't reach anymore? The room is dry as a bone. I leave the top open all the time. I have really bad luck with mold-it's always somewhere difficult and expensive and never where it can be eliminated easily. In the end I'm going to need a new one-and the terrible thing about this is, the longer I wait the more I'm exposed and even this tiny little spot that doesn't really smell is going to end up making me all kinds of sick. > > Is this a front-loading machine? Because the way those operate, they tend to retain a little bit of water in the door and the basket. Mine even had water in the dispensing cup, so I always emptied that. The way I kept the whole machine nice and fresh was to run vinegar with my clothes and keep the door open, as you do. The vinegar did the trick as far as any musty smell and I think the vinegar has antimicrobial properties. Also, I had an exhaust fan in my laundry room that I ran when I ran the wash machine to keep the whole area dry, so that any remaining water would evaporate. I wouldn't despair. Try vinegar and try keeping the whole room dry (reduce humidification). That should help a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Is it a Maytag fron loader. They had a long class action suit against them for moldy washere, of wich I missed filing for by a couple of months. Gave my washer to a family who lived in a shack and they put it in the living room. My advice is call the company consumer services line. They used to have a fix kit for the moldy washers. > > So, with all due respect, you're telling me I'm defeated by my washer? I need some practical advice-from what you're saying it seems I should replace the hose (great idea!) and what else? Dump the machine and hope for the best next time? Can it be cleaned? > It never happened before-I've had washers for 35 years-is it the brand? I have a Maytag. Anyone have issues with a Maytag? Aaargh, I'm so frustrated! > Surella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 I had one of these Maytags and got the fix kit. Actually they came out and fixed it, put a new rubber gasket in it that drains well. Basically it was the gasket that held water in it. > > > > So, with all due respect, you're telling me I'm defeated by my washer? I need some practical advice-from what you're saying it seems I should replace the hose (great idea!) and what else? Dump the machine and hope for the best next time? Can it be cleaned? > > It never happened before-I've had washers for 35 years-is it the brand? I have a Maytag. Anyone have issues with a Maytag? Aaargh, I'm so frustrated! > > Surella > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 What do you wash with? I use borax, GSE, baking soda, vinager, HP, and some Ecover soap. Not all at once. But this is what I use.    God Bless !! dragonflymcs Mayleen ________________________________ From: surellabaer <surellabaer@...> Sent: Tue, November 9, 2010 9:53:58 AM Subject: [] Re: Moldy washing machine  So, with all due respect, you're telling me I'm defeated by my washer? I need some practical advice-from what you're saying it seems I should replace the hose (great idea!) and what else? Dump the machine and hope for the best next time? Can it be cleaned? It never happened before-I've had washers for 35 years-is it the brand? I have a Maytag. Anyone have issues with a Maytag? Aaargh, I'm so frustrated! Surella of this message have been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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