Mold Stains On Wash Clothes / Sanitary Cycle

[mark_wpduet]

I doubt this will be a hot thread but this was a shocker for me (maybe not for some). In the closet there is a hamper for whites and one for darks; I sort from there when I do laundry. I never try to throw anything damp in the hamper but a wash cloth got thrown in there and covered with other whites and ended up getting mold all over it and any other whites it was touching. When I did the load of whites I washed it on whitest whites in my duet with chlorine bleach but the mold stains were still there but faded. I figured it was ruined because in past experience I have not been able to get mold stains out even with bleach on a whites load with hot water (which is an hour and 20 min's)

The S A M E thing happened again yesterday. Mold all over a white wash cloth and a white t shirt. It was a really big load of whites so this time I ran the load on sanitary cycle in my duet but also used chlorine bleach. The washer ran for 2.5 hours (it got HOT!) and there was no trace of mold on anything. I haven't often had to deal with mold stains on clothing in my life but the few times I have, they have been stained and this is the first time I've ever been able to get completely rid of them.

 

[frigilux]

I'm a believer in the power of the Sanitize cycle + chlorine bleach, too. Nothing's going to get by that powerhouse combination. Bath towels tend to stay damp quite a long time hanging on the ring in my bathroom during the summer (when the humidity is higher), so I wash them on the Sanitize cycle with a few tablespoons of LCB just to ward off any musty/mold issues.

Glad your items emerged clean and mold-free, Mark!

 

[rp2813]

I don't want to steer things too far off course here, but would there be any reason not to use the sanitary cycle to clean the washer?  I'm considering this because my Affinity doesn't have the "Clean Washer" cycle like my Duet did, and even though I'm good about wiping out the boot and leaving the door ajar, after nearly five years of use it has developed a musty smell that Frigidaire's cleaning instructions (nothing but a LCB solution on the "Normal" cycle) didn't help to eliminate.

 

The only cause I can think of is that I let things go too long between cleanings, since the Affinity's process is so limp-wristed compared to the Duet's.

 

[launderess]

First Thing To Do Is

Either clean and treat the hamper for mold, or simply throw it out and purchase new. Once mold spores start growing in or on something it can be nearly impossible to get shot of the stuff. This is often true of laundry hampers with their usual damp and or dark nature.

While there are various mildewcides with chlorine bleach being of them not all or even that substance can remove stains left behind from mold or mildew.

When using chlorine bleach it is important to use a proper strength product in the correct solution. Otherwise not only won't all spores be destroyed, but you won't get optimal whitening/stain removal. Check the directions on the bottle as many versions including some sold by Clorox no longer make claims about killing mildew.

 

[laundromat]

Whenever that happens to me, I use Clorox Splashless chlorine bleach and the Whitest Whites cycle but, once the wash has been thoroughly mixed, I stop the machine and let them soak overnight, Then, I reset the timer and let it go through without any disturbances. It has never failed. No left over spots or stains.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I remember

when I first got this washer on another forum people were talking about the sanitary cycle and how some were saying they would never use it while other were saying they wouldn't use it often, but it's nice to have just IN CASE.....That is VERY TRUE. I haven't used it very often but it sure is nice to have if you need it because it really does get dishwasher hot! I don't think after the bleach and sanitary cycle there could possibly be any mold spores left behind in the machine......I will check the hamper. I wasn't the one who threw the wet clothes in the hamper.... GRRRRRR!

About the clean washer cycle. My Duet doesn't have one either, but after researching online and someone on this forum told me a series of buttons on the front that you press in sequence which starts a REAL clean washer cycle......Not sure if the the Frigidaire could have the same hidden washer cycle or not......If it doesn't, what I would do is start a long hot cycle, but after it fills, manually add water so that there is enough to get past the boot so it can really get in all the areas.

 

[frigilux]

Ralph-- It sounds like you may have some build-up on the outside of the drum. I'd use a packet of Tide Washing Machine Cleaner on the Sanitize Cycle to strip away any build-up, then run a Normal cycle with a good, strong dose of chlorine bleach to kill any mold/mildew.

When prompted by the washer (every 50 loads) to run a cleaning cycle, I pour a packet of the Tide cleaner in the tub and run the Sanitize cycle. My machine's cleaning cycle is pretty wimpy---two changes of lukewarm water. The Tide cleaner recommends running a full cycle and not using a washer's "clean" cycle.

 

[henene4]

Just "Sanitize" hot...

... we have boiling-hot-washes Now, your Sanatize-cycles are hot (round about 70°C), but here in Germany (I say that quiet often, sorry for that) 95% of our sold washers have a 90° or 95° cycle. In combination to chlorine bleach, a good stain treater and a rough detergent for whites, NOTHING, really NOTHING can past that cycle without dieing and being flushed away. But ,on top of that, with the German Miele "Hygiene"-cycle which keeps 90° for at least 30 min, you get profed hospital-cleaning-results. So thats quiet good, i think, against ANY USA "sanatize"-cycle.

 

[rp2813]

Thanks Eugene.  I haven't used Tide or Affresh before, but will get some and use it on the "Sanitary" cycle.

 

I decided to do some research and found information on line that indicates certain Affinity machines do have a special cycle that can be activated by pressing both the "Spin Speed" and "Options" buttons and holding them for ten seconds.  I tried it on my machine and it didn't work.  I don't know if that's because my machine is newer or older than the type that offers this cycle. 

 

Here's a shot of the display on a machine that has this hidden cycle:

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yes

My Duet was built Oct 2004 in Germany and does have a hidden cycle, but similar Duets on here built during the same time frame don't have it. Others tried it and it didn't work. Interesting the Affinity's are the same. Some have it/some don't.

On mine I think it's

Rinse/spin, no spin, warm/cold, end of cycle signal to softer, and extra rinse three times. The water is only warm but it moves a lot of water all over the place with three fills. I use bleach but I don't have to run it very often at all the machine smells really good inside. I think it's been 3 months since I've ran one. I probably should.

 

[DADoES]

 
The GHW9400PW4 Duet I refurbed has a hidden cleaning cycle ... meaning it's not on the dial but it IS outlined in the instruction manual.

Power On.  Door closed.

Set the dial to Rinse & Spin.

Set the options thus:
Signal = Soft
Spin = Low
Temp = Warm/Cold

Press Extra Rinse FOUR times at which moment the cycle will start.  A brief fill and spin runs to confirm the drum is empty.  When fill begins for cleaning and the display shows "Ab" (Add bleach), open the dispenser drawer and add 1/3 to 1 cup of chlorine bleach to the main wash compartment (water will be flowing through).

 

[rp2813]

My Affinity doesn't read "1000 RPM" under "Spin Speed" and has a plasti-chrome trimmed door.  I don't know if that makes it newer or older than the one pictured above.

 

[mark_wpduet]

dadoes
You're right. It's been a while so I forgot the exact sequence. That's the sequence on mine. Strangely enough, some of the people have Duet's that look exactly like mine (same time frame) on this forum, and it DID NOT work for them.

 

[DADoES]

 
Depends on the control board revision.