I usually take that whole cup area out and rinse and dry it after I finish my washing for the day. While it is removed, I stick a towel in the opening and dry out the recess.

Running a cycle with bleach is good idea. Just be sure to run a cycle with just water afterwards to ensure that no bleach remains in your washer.

My HE top loader has a regular cleaning cycle that I'm supposed to run once a month. I think I come close, maybe not exactly every 4 weeks. I did buy the manufacturer suggested Affresh tablets (Costco, so several months worth) for the cleaning cycle, but bleach and straight hot, fullest load, would do the same thing. I'm careful to pull out the soap container to the 'fill' position so it can dry out, leave the washer door open when not in use.

There's some really good YouTube videos on how to clean the front loaders I recommend you view some. Including the spigot at the bottom front that needs cleaning a few times a year. Check your manual.
I learned early on not to use any kind of liquid detergents or softeners in the front loaders because they can cause a slimy build up in several areas including the detergent drawer. I have never used any type of liquid and I have never had a problem with smell or mold. I leave the door cracked and the drawer open to air dry after each use.

I have had my front loader set for 8 years and have never had any mold or build up. I leave the door open a couple of inches after I use it. I didn't know the dispenser drawer could be pulled out. Now I will venture down to the basement and see if I can remove mine and clean it.

Most need a periodic washing and a scrub with a small brush to keep the mold in check. For the stuff you can't see or reach like in the pump and the various water hoses, a factory service guy suggested to me that running a cycle on the hottest temperature once a month was a good idea. (I have a European brand with an internal heater that can get up to 190 deg).

As previously said, keeping the door and drawer cracked open to allow more speedy drying after use is a good practice too.

Not sure why that would happen after this long. I usually dump the water out of mine when I'm done with laundry and leave that dispenser drawer along with the door open. Have never had mold in ten years. I love my FL.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I do leave the door open; have never thought about the little drawer. I guess I need to do some cleaning!!!

yikes I guess i'd better check mine...most of the time when i'm doing laundry, i'm sitting on a chair, and never see inside where the soap goes...

I never thought about the little drawer either, so far as needing special cleaning anyway.

I never liked my front loader (had it 5 1/2 years now) because of the smell problem. I always leave the door open, but my towels have always been a problem. If they sat any time in the washer after the wash cycle completed (even half an hour) then maybe they smelled ok when I dried them, but as soon as they came in contact with moisture (using them to dry hair or body) that stink was there!!! I finally found that if I run even one load a week with clorox, along with keeping the door open when not in use, then I have no odor problem. So, I now wash my sheets with clorox. Problem solved!

Raven, since they are set up to use liquid laundry soap and softener, it never occurred to me that it would be ok to use a dry laundry soap. What kind do you use? Do you just toss it in with the clothes at the beginning of the wash?

I've never used liquid detergent either - maybe that has something to do with the fact I've never had mold or smell problems. I use Sears HE powder detergent - best detergent I've ever used.

Dang, I thought y'all were gonna talk tractors...

I checked the soap dispenser and can not remove it. I couldn't feel any residue in it. I have been using liquid detergent for 8 years and no problems.

I have a Kenmore Front Loader and in the soap dispenser there is a black tab on the left, rear compartment that must be pushed down to remove the compartment. Mine usually just has some slimy build up on it and I take it all apart and clean it with an old toothbrush.

ok have an older duet, and check my dispenser today...no mold! also found if you pull it out and press a black plastic thingy in the back, the whole unit comes out...

i'm not a huge fan of using all cold water, so all my stuff starts in warm...think I've used the hot only once or twice...

I agree with Raven I learned early on not to use any kind of liquid detergents or softeners in the front loaders because they can cause a slimy build up in several areas including the detergent drawer. I did unfortunately start out using liquid laundry soap... and I had a smell problem after about a year. Got that cleared up by switching to the powdered soap (which I put in the dispenser with no problems).

We've been using the laundromat for the past 6 months, as the price of the laundromat is the same as our (previous) apartment, using front-loaders. I could do 2 loads in one, for the same as a single load at the apt bldg.

I use powdered home-made detergent, and the liquid homemade. I like the powdered for whites.

I have noticed for a long time, that the laundry detergent aisles are filled with jugs of detergent.........nary a box of powder to be seen. No Tide, Sunlight, etc.

DD always washes her towels in hot water in order to control mold and smells. So far, she has found mold under the door gasket and had to clean that out, but otherwise, not a problem. I really don't like her front loader. I am happy with my old top loader, and it is easier on my back.

Fungicide can be added to the raw plastic molding powder to create a fungus resistant part. The mechanical strength of the part is reduced depending on the amount of 'junk' added to the molding mix. The color of the part is affected also. The addition of stuff to the plastic is normally done to opaque pieces that can hide the fact there's something more in there than pure resin. Its just one more item that has to be monitored and controlled to keep it from getting out of hand.

Want a cost reduction - leave out the fungicide, or reduce it to bare minimum.

On reason why it took so long for mold to get established may have been leaching. Initially, the plastic part may have had fungicide at its surface and as time passed, the fungicide gets leached out from the surface and to some depth in the part. [Let's hope it was not because over 7 years, a colony of resistant fungi developed that sidestepped the fungicde control.] I'm of the opinion that the part likely had little to no fungi-inert material.

I'd have to check, but fungicides for molded plastics may be very poisonous but safe for humans to handle so long as it is securely locked away in the plastic. Chewing on such plastic may not be healthy. This consideration may have caused manufacturers to omit fungicides, besides, it is cheaper to leave it out.

Manufacturers of electical devices are very aware of the problems caused by fungi when the product is exposed to humid environments especially marine environments.

As the postes above have said, the best policy is to thoroughly clean the part on a regular basis, maybe once a month might suffice. However, once a mold invades a part, it is very hard to completely rid the part because the mold may have penetrated the surface. Merely wiping it clean does not destroy the mold. Bleaches and boiling in water can affect appearance and may damage soft, low temperature plastics. The apperance of mold indicates there were mold spores present and a supply may be present and ready to re-invade a cleaned part.

A quick fix is to replace the part if practical.

I have only used the Sears powder he laundry detergent it's fantastic and last for a long time. The one I use is in the orange box. I posted about it on the thread about detergents.
I have never had even a hint of a bad smell. But do check your manual for cleaning the little plug down near the bottom that can really cause mold and stink. I watched the you tube videos right after I got mine.
How To Clean Your Washing Machine Filter

I put my powder detergent in the detergent drawer just like any other detergent, I have never put anything directly in with the clothes except the shout color catchers sheets and I use them for every load except whites.

added link

This post was edited by ravencajun on Thu, Oct 24, 13 at 12:48

I pulled my detergent/fabric softener//bleach dispenser drawer out and cleaned it this morning. There was absolutely no sign of mold (my machine is about 5 1/2 years old and I've always used liquid detergent in it, mainly Era). There was a little dark gunk build up in a couple of small places, but not bad. I gave it a good cleaning and put it back. I don't think it was awful, and there was certainly nothing about it that would have caused an odor, but it's nice to have it all clean and fresh again.

jemdandy, I am always glad when you provide an explanation of how things work. Your comments are always educational. Kind of like the 'Unwrapped' program on the food channel. A lot of good, interesting, background information that most of us never even thought to consider before! Thank you!

jemdandy, that's a fanciful story.

Fungicides in a washer? Putting what you call "low temperature plastics" in the path of hot water?

I doubt it, and and I doubt it. Were your comments based upon technical familiarity with these products or were you just speculating?

This post was edited by snidely on Thu, Oct 24, 13 at 13:18

Hi Snidely,

Funny how Dow Chemicals ( at http://www.dow.com/microbial/applications/ma_p_products.htm ) describes one of their products and it is exactly the sort of information that jemdandy gave us. Do you think Dow is being fanciful in their product description as well?

Effective fungicide for use in PVC, polyurethane and other polymeric compositions requiring fungal protection
Low levels provide long-term preservation against fungal attack
Helps prevent surface growth, permanent staining, embrittlement and premature product failure
Recommended for vinyl film and sheet, extruded profiles, plastisols, molded goods, organosols and fabric coatings.
Compatible with most polymer formulations
Will not discolor or detract from the protected product's chemical or physical properties
Can be conveniently incorporated into the formulation during the process of mixing or compounding
Should be added early in the blending operation to assure homogeneity

And another Dow Chemical product, described as:

Protects vinyl, polyurethane and other polymeric compositions against microbes
Prevents surface growth, permanent staining, embrittlement and premature product failure
Broad-spectrum efficacy and long-term preservation against mold, mildew and bacteria
Cost effective antifungal agent
Bio-Pruf⢠trademark for unique sales and marketing advantage

Looks like there might be several similar chemicals on the market.

I know such plastics exist. I expressed doubt that they would be used in a washing machine because the result could be to deposit the dangerous chemicals on clothes. Talk about a dangerous product and lawsuit potential!

On another page at that site was a list of what such impregnated plastics are recommended for:

Shower Curtains Floor Coverings
Wall Coverings Ditch Liners
Coated Fabrics Vinyl Molding
Marine Upholstery Carpet Underlay
Urethane Outsoles Leisure Furniture
Camouflage Cloth Tarpaulins
Auto Landau Tops Refrigerator Gaskets
Awnings, etc.