Electrolux Washing Machine: mold growth

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Are you noticing mold growth in your Electrolux washing machine? Common signs include visible black or green spots, musty odors, and moisture around door seals and detergent dispensers. This issue often arises from residual moisture, humidity, detergent buildup, and poor ventilation, especially in humid conditions. Regular maintenance and proper care can help mitigate mold growth and keep your washer fresh.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Electrolux Models

  • No unique mold-specific official Electrolux service bulletins found; general preventive measures apply

Possible Causes

Residual moisture and high humidity inside washer components

How to Identify: Visible water droplets, damp gasket folds, musty odor after cycle

Part: Drum interior, door seal/gasket

Detergent and fabric softener residue buildup

How to Identify: Sticky or slimy residue, visible deposits in drawer and around seals

Part: Detergent dispenser drawer, drum surfaces

Poor ventilation due to closed doors between cycles

How to Identify: Frequent closed washer door with humid laundry room conditions

Part: Entire interior environment

Low-temperature washes not killing spores

How to Identify: Frequent cold cycles, persistent odor despite cleaning

Part: Internal surfaces

DIY Solutions

Clean mold with hot cycle and bleach

Moderate 60 minutes
Tools Needed: gloves, microfiber cloth, bleach
  1. Remove all laundry from washer
  2. Add recommended amount of chlorine bleach to dispenser
  3. Run a hot wash cycle
  4. Wipe down door seal and drum with cloth after cycle
⚠️ Safety First: Do not mix bleach with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide

Air‐dry and wipe gasket after each wash

Easy 5–10 minutes per use
Tools Needed: clean cloth or towel
  1. After each wash, leave the door and detergent drawer open
  2. Wipe inside drum and gasket folds with dry cloth
  3. Ensure laundry room has ventilation

Monthly maintenance cycle with washer cleaner

Easy 90 minutes
Tools Needed: washing machine cleaner tablets or powder
  1. Place washer cleaner in drum or dispenser
  2. Run hottest and longest maintenance cycle
  3. After cycle, leave door open to dry

Professional Repairs

Replace degraded door gasket

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

Deep internal cleaning by technician

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

When to Call a Professional

Mold persists after thorough DIY cleaning
Visible damage to gasket or leaks around seals
Persistent musty smell despite preventive measures

Preventive Maintenance

  • Leave door and detergent drawer open after each wash: Residual moisture and mold growth
    Frequency: after every use
  • Run hot maintenance cycle monthly: Residue buildup and mold spores
    Frequency: monthly
  • Wipe gasket and seals regularly: Mold starting spots
    Frequency: weekly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Electrolux Washing Machine mold growth?
Mold growth can occur due to residual moisture, high humidity, detergent buildup, and poor ventilation.
How do I fix Electrolux Washing Machine mold growth myself?
You can clean mold with a hot cycle and bleach, wipe the gasket after washes, and run a monthly maintenance cycle with washer cleaner.
How much does it cost to fix mold growth?
Professional repairs range from $50 to $150 for gasket replacement and $100 to $250 for deep cleaning.
When should I call a technician for mold growth?
Call a technician if DIY solutions fail, mold persists, or if the issue seems complex and requires professional intervention.

References & Sources

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

85%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Excess moisture trapped in the door gasket due to improper sealing or drainage
  • Use of high-efficiency detergent that doesn't rinse out completely, leaving residues
  • Infrequent cleaning of the washing machine drum and gasket, allowing mold to thrive

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Regularly clean the door gasket and drum with a mixture of vinegar and water. Wipe down the gasket after each use to remove moisture.

  2. Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner or a hot wash with bleach (if safe for your model) to eliminate mold and mildew.

  3. Ensure the washing machine door is left ajar when not in use to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. New washing Machine

Community Discussions

mold in the gasket

Consider switching to a top load washing machine, possibly Speed Queen or LG models.

Pro needed View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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