Lg Washing Machine: mold growth

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing mold growth in your LG washing machine? This issue manifests as dark patches in the drum, rubber gasket, or detergent dispenser, often accompanied by a musty odor. Mold thrives in damp environments, making it essential to address this problem to ensure clean laundry and a healthy appliance.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG-specific troubleshooting indicates infrequent hot washes, closed doors, residual detergent and clogged drain/gasket areas contribute to mold growth.
  • Official LG support acknowledges potential risk of mildew build-up in front load washers.

Possible Causes

Residual moisture in drum and gasket after wash cycles

How to Identify: Visible dampness, black or brown mold spots around rubber gasket or drum edges and a musty smell.

Part: Drum interior, door gasket

Detergent and fabric softener residue buildup

How to Identify: Sticky residue or film inside detergent drawer or drum promoting mold food source.

Part: Detergent dispenser, drum surfaces

Infrequent hot or cleaning cycles

How to Identify: Lack of periodic hot water wash leading to accumulation of biofilm and visible growth.

Part: Internal drum surfaces

Clogged or poorly draining areas

How to Identify: Water pooling after drain cycle, mold in hard-to-reach drain or gasket areas.

Part: Drain area, gasket crevices

DIY Solutions

Clean and dry the drum and gasket after each use

Easy 5-10 minutes
Tools Needed: soft cloth or towel
  1. After each wash, wipe the interior drum and rubber door gasket with a dry cloth.
  2. Leave the door and detergent drawer open to allow full air drying between uses.
⚠️ Safety First: Ensure machine is off and drum is empty before wiping.

Run regular hot cleaning cycles

Moderate 1.5-2 hours
  1. Run an empty wash cycle on the hottest setting available.
  2. Optionally add washing machine cleaner or suitable detergent recommended for cleaning cycles.
  3. Repeat monthly to reduce biofilm buildup.
⚠️ Safety First: Do not mix bleach with other cleaners due to toxic fumes.

Use a washing machine cleaner for deep cleaning

Moderate 30-60 minutes
Tools Needed: commercial washing machine cleaner
  1. Add washing machine cleaning agent to drum according to product instructions.
  2. Run a cleaning cycle or hottest wash cycle to dissolve residue and kill mold.
  3. Wipe away loosened debris and leave door open to dry.
⚠️ Safety First: Follow product safety guidelines; ensure good ventilation.

Professional Repairs

Deep internal cleaning by technician

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

Gasket replacement

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150

When to Call a Professional

Mold persists after repeated DIY cleaning and preventive measures
Water drainage issues or unusual noises accompany mold growth

Preventive Maintenance

  • Leave door and detergent drawer open after cycles: Moisture retention and mold growth
    Frequency: Every wash
  • Run monthly hot cleaning cycle: Biofilm and residue buildup leading to mold
    Frequency: Monthly
  • Wipe gasket and detergent drawer regularly: Residue buildup that feeds mold
    Frequency: Weekly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine mold growth?
Mold growth is often due to residual moisture, detergent buildup, infrequent hot cycles, or clogged drainage areas.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine mold growth myself?
Clean and dry the drum and gasket after each use, run hot cleaning cycles monthly, and use a washing machine cleaner for deep cleaning.
How much does it cost to fix mold growth?
Professional repairs for mold growth typically range from $100 to $250 for deep cleaning and $50 to $150 for gasket replacement.
When should I call a technician for mold growth?
If DIY solutions fail or if you notice persistent mold despite cleaning, it's best to consult a technician for deep internal cleaning.

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

  • Moisture retention in the door seal due to improper drainage
  • Using too much detergent, leading to residue buildup
  • Infrequent cleaning of the washing machine drum and components

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Remove the door gasket and clean it thoroughly with a mixture of vinegar and water. Ensure all moisture is wiped away before reattaching.

  2. Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner or a cup of bleach to eliminate mold and mildew from the drum and internal components.

  3. Adjust detergent usage according to the load size and type, and switch to a low-residue detergent to prevent buildup.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

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

  1. Washing machine gasket replacement

Community Discussions

moldy gasket

AGM30030701 is the recommended part number for replacement.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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