Instead of keeping you clean, many front-loading washing
machines can make you green with toxic mold and harmful bacteria’s. Water
accumulates behind the seals. You may not notice visual signs of mold but every
time you open and close the washer door you could be releasing tens of
thousands of toxic mold spores, usually of the Cladosporium type. In addition to inhaling this pathogenic spore
cloud you could exposure yourself to dermal issues by touching mold on the
surfaces of the door followed by ingesting the mold by not washing your
hands. Manufacturers of front loading
washing machines are snarled in Class Action Suits (see links below).
Surprisingly, the manufactures of such defective washing
machines continue to downplay the issue by contending mold formation and the
foul odor is a normal part of use. The
foul odor is actually a chemical release from biological growth known as a
microbial volatile organic compound (mVOC) which contain similar attributes to
traditional VOCs like paints, aerosols and petroleum based products. The ill effects from the mVOCs is
significantly worsened with the introduction of toxic spores. Some people may
not be affected by short term mold exposure, however, many people suffer
immediately from mold exposure and others from chronic exposure. To minimize
your mold risk when using a front loading washing machine we recommend:
1) Leaving
the door open after washing.
2) Sanitize
the door seals, gaskets and glass after laundering.
3) Dehumidify
or condition the laundry room if the relative humidity remains above 60%.
4) Run
a hot water wash with no clothes and use bleach or white vinegar instead of
detergent.
5) Remove
Clothes Promptly
6) Use
High-Efficiency Detergent
7) Add
a manufacturer recommended fan kit to your washing machine to accelerate the
drying process after use.
8) Run
the cleaning cycle at least as often as the manufacturer suggests
