Do I need to leave the dryer door open to prevent mold growth?

[mb1280]

Hello:

I'm concerned about mold growth in the dryer, so, I'd like to leave the door open.

Unfortunately, there is no off switch for the light, and I don't want to have to remember to go back there after a couple of hours to close the door.

So, I was wondering: Is it safe to put the washer and dryer on an outlet controlled by a switch?

1.) Amps used by the washer ... It washes at 8.05-8.10 ... spins water out at 8.91 ... fills at 7.95 ... spins water out at 7.90 to 7.61

2.) Amps used by the dryer ... It starts at 8.00 and cycles down to 5.80 to 5.85

The highest of both would be 8.00 + 8.91 = 16.91 . . . and my circuit breaker box is 15 amps . . . Nothing has ever happened when I run both at the same time

My washer and dryer are both currently on a 15V GFI . . . I'm thinking that I will the washer and dryer on a 20 amp switch, on this GFI.

- - - - - - - - -

I know that with a space heater, though, you don't want to go through a switch (or extension cord), because that interferes with the circuit breaker's ability to detect dangerous surges from the device, and flip:

Observed amps in my Lasko Digital Ceramic Heater - Model CC13652
. . . in Standby . . . 00.08 - 00.11
. . . on High . . . it initially goes up to 15.00 . . . then settles down to 11.50 - 11.75
. . . on Low . . . it goes to 6.25 - 6.35

- - - - - - - - -

. . . so, that's why I'm not sure if putting the washer and dryer on *a switch* is a good idea, or not.

A friend said that she always just closes the dryer door, and has never noticed any problems with mold.

So, I'm wondering - does enough air get into the dryer with a closed door (are they designed this way?), so that it's ok to do that?

On the other hand, you do want to leave the door open on the washing machine, to prevent mold growth - but there's no issue there, because there is no light.

Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

[mrb627]

Moisture

Unless you have an ongoing moisture problem inside your dryer, like from an onboard steam system, there isn't much of a reason you should have to leave it open.

Malcolm

 

[DADoES]

 
I've never heard of mold occurring in a dryer.  Why do you have a belief that would/could happen?

 

[iheartmaytag]

I have never had a mold problem with a dryer.   Dryers as they shut off are intrinsically already dry, you remove the medium that would have molded if moisture had remained, the clothes, and you should  good til next time.

 

Now if you live where there is a lot of dampness you may see an issue, but I would think it would be more damaging to the outside of the machine than the interior drum.

 

 

 

[kb0nes]

The temperature a dryer will attain will kill off any mold spores present.

Also with the absence of moisture and food, the spores wouldn't grow anyhow.

You are worrying about something that will never happen.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

definitely with washers

I believe you definitely have to leave the doors open with washers, particularly with front loaders.

 

[mrboilwash]

I wouldn`t worry about mold as long as it is a vented dryer. There`s still some air exchange going on through the vent hose if the door is closed.

On the other hand if it`s a closed system with residual water involved as typically found in European condenser and heat pump dryers it is good advice to leave the door open or at least ajar.

 

[lordkenmore]

I've always shut dryers, and never recall any problem. And I live in a climate that's damp (read: a climate mold and mildew just love!) most of the year. My current laundry room should be a real problem if there was a problem--unheated space, zero insulation on roof and the 1 outside wall. But none of the 3 dryers I've used have had any issue that I've noted.

 

[dustin92]

Never had any mold issues with any dryer I've used. I always keep the door closed (especially if there is a drum light). Washers on the other hand, I most definitely keep the lid/door open.

 

[brib68]

I've heard (but do not have personal knowledge) that the steam dryers that started coming out a few years ago were prone to mold/mildew, but as others have said, never a regular dryer. Because it is dry.

However...I learned this week that even leaving the door of my front loader open, mold/mildew will still grow on the underside of the bleach/softener dispenser. (LG with a top-mount dispenser, not a pull-out drawer dispenser). Never had mold in the drum, but I pulled the removable cup to clean out the softener residue and UGH! Guess I'll be paying more attention to THAT in the future!

 

[whirlykenmore78]

unless you leave partially dried loads:

of poorly washed laundry in the dryer there is no reason to think that it might go moldy. The exception would be a bad installation or locating the machine in a swamp. LOL!
XDryers normally do not mold
WK78