You would never put your dirty laundry in a washer thinking that they will come out even more soiled than they already were, would you?

However, if you are not careful with following strict manufacturing guidelines and recommendations for your specific type of washer, you may be doing just that.

Mold spores prefer a moist environment and if left unchecked, can begin to grow on other materials in your home such as furnishings, wood, drywall, and flooring. Besides water, mold also needs food to grow, and can obtain nutrients from any organic substance such as paper, wood, plant materials, soil, and even cloth. Thousands of consumers of front-loading washers have had mold issues, specifically stemming from the seal that is used to make the unit leak-proof during cycles. This seal that is supposed to prevent problems can be the cause of other issues if not cleaned or dried properly after each use. If damp clothes are left sitting in your washer or if there is wetness and residue from clothing surrounding the seal time after time, this could?create a?potential habitat for mold. It is recommended to keep the door open on front-loading washers to prevent moisture build up, but rarely is this protocol followed. Many households have pets or small children where keeping the door open like this would pose too much of a hazard. Another tip that might help prevent mold growth?is to use only high-efficiency detergent and dryer sheets instead of liquid softener, and to always remember to wipe your washer dry completely after each cycle.

When class-action lawsuits were set against the manufactures of front-loading washer units for the mold problems- Electrolux, Frigidaire, Kenmore, LG, Bosch and Whirlpool- consumers were met with little help, and what?s more- were actually blamed for the problem. Here we summarize a few key points in response to the lawsuits along with the manufacturer each point came from.

It is key to following manufacturer guidelines and instructions to prevent a costly and time-consuming issue down the road?

1. To prevent mold, leave the door of the unit open for a few hours after use, or remember it always leave it open if not in use at all (Frigidaire)
2. Periodically, use?a detergent that is specifically developed for front-loading washers (LG)
3. Never leave damp items in the washer (Bosch)
4. And probably our most favorite, which we don?t quite understand and don?t recommend either: ?Put your machine on pedestals? (Whirlpool). We can only imagine the ego-boost this would give to your washer..,.

Our top priority is getting your life back to normal right away.

If you find that you have a mold issue that once started as a tiny inconvenience- such as residue from your washer- and is now a larger and uncontrollable issue- like visible growth on your walls, ceiling and floors- don?t hesitate to call us and MVP Environmental Solutions, Inc. remediate the situation as soon as possible.

Sources:

Mold Course: Chapter 1 ? Introduction to Molds.? EPA. Environmental Protection Agency, 8 Mar. 2012. Web. 05 May 2015. <http://www.epa.gov/mold/moldcourse/chapter1.html>.

Tellez, Roseanne. ?Is Your Front-Load Washer Hiding A Dirty Secret?? CBS Chicago. CBS, 30 Apr. 2015. Web. 05 May 2015. <http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2015/04/30/is-your-front-load-washer-hiding-a-dirty-secret/>.