Best way to clean front loader door boot

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whatsername

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2015
Messages
198
Location
Denver, CO
I just got a great deal on some Kenmore front loaders. I've included the pictures from the CL ad. The washer has quite a bit of mold in/on the door boot but they were such a good deal I'm prepared to just buy a new boot from Sears. Before I do that, though, what's the AW.org prescribed method for cleaning the boot? I searched extensively but didn't see much of a consensus.

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several things come to mind that you could try.....

but mostly you need a mold/mildew cleaner.....like a bathroom cleaner, especially with bleach.....

some of these cleaners have a 'deep root' cleaner to sink way down into the rubber to get rid of mold.....

one treatment may not work, you may have to spray and let it set, or even taking a toothbrush for a little scrubbing on tough areas...

I have the Frigidaire sister to your set.....so theres not really a clean washer cycle, granted not really needed.....but if you must, a long hot wash cycle, and using dishwasher detergent or chlorine for a pool will clean your unit very well.....once done, not a reason to ever have to do it again....

even after your all done, the mold/mildew will be gone, but it may have darkened the rubber some, but doesn't seem to be of any harm from there on.....hot/warm washes, and the weekly use of bleach in a load will keep it clean from there on out.....some mention of keeping the door ajar or leaving the dispenser drawer open.....I never do, and never have an issue....

not that COLD washes can't be used, but it should not be used as the only temp for every load......like I said, wash a few loads in mixed temps, and a bleach wash here and there will be all the up keep you will ever need...

hope this helps

good luck and keep us posted....
 
That's more or less what I expected. I've had front loaders in the past and follow good habits like leaving the door open after use and using hot washes twice a week for sheets and towels. The previous owners clearly were not so well-trained.

I was considering doing alternating treatments with bleach and something like this http://www.homedepot.com/p/Moldex-32-oz-Mold-Killer-5010/205176689. I'm okay with the boot still looking stained. There isn't much of a mold smell but there is definitely a fabric softener odor. The dishwasher detergent wash will probably take care of that.

I'm out of town for 2 weeks but when I get back and get these machines hooked up I'll do some before and after pictures and let everyone know what I find.
 
I've had several FL's over the years and I pretty much follow everything that Martin suggests and I have never had any problems with mold either. I do however take a clean wash cloth and thoroughly dry every crevice of the gasket after I'm finished washing for the day. I also leave the door and dispenser open while the dryer is running, then close the dispenser and leave the door slightly ajar.

I pretty much wash all loads in hot, which probably ends up being like very warm water washes used to be in days gone by. And I always wash at least one load a week with LBC. I think, like most members on AW that using cold water exclusively is a recipe for mold and other problems. And really since a FL uses such a small amount of water, using hot water to wash is not causing me to use a lot of extra electricity.
Eddie
 
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