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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

washing machine door - open or shut?

51 replies

yespeeps · 31/05/2016 00:31

when not in use!

there's some black stuff round the rubber rim inside, I've been told to keep my door open, does it make a difference? I'm concerned it'll trip me up due to its location

don't have time to clean the black stuff, v busy single parent

OP posts:
P1nkP0ppy · 31/05/2016 07:39

Open, detergent drawer left open too and I never have a problem.

BluePancakes · 31/05/2016 07:42

Open until it has cooled down for a few hours, then closed. I've never had a problem with mould nor sticks from the washing machine.

I do do the occasional empty cleaning wash at high temp, to make sure the insides are clean (I use something like Calgon but was provided with the washing machine. Meant to do it monthly, but I often forget.)

BluePancakes · 31/05/2016 07:42

*stinks, not sticks.

NapQueen · 31/05/2016 07:44

I close mine as I have an 18mo who likes to put stuff into it. We also have two cats and I'd hate to think one of them may climb in.

PestilentialCat · 31/05/2016 07:46

Ajar - so far the cats haven't been inside Smile

kimlo · 31/05/2016 08:00

Open, but not far enough open so the cats can get in. My cats love to get in to the washing machine and the drier as I'm loadig them. It has got to the point where I have to count the cats and make sure I can see them both before switching either of them on.

MiaowTheCat · 31/05/2016 08:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe · 31/05/2016 08:04

Open otherwise it will bet mouldy.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es · 31/05/2016 08:09

Ours is always wide open and only once has a cat gone in, they would soon leap out if you put washing in on top of them.

Arborea · 31/05/2016 08:11

Lakeland's Blitz that Mould spray or gel is bloody brilliant and would be a quick and easy way to get rid of the black gunky stuff.

Another one who leaves the door slightly ajar here.

gamerchick · 31/05/2016 08:13

It takes about the same length of time as picking up your device, finding the relevant place on mumsnet, to type out a thread and post it to dry a seal off.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 31/05/2016 08:14

Closed as we have an inquisitive cat!

voodoolooloo · 31/05/2016 08:16

Open. MIL closes it though and I follow behind opening it up again the drawer too.

Trills · 31/05/2016 08:20

Shut.

It's in the way otherwise.

I've never had a problem with mould inside a washing machine (so far).

HermioneJeanGranger · 31/05/2016 09:01

Open. Even thought my old cat used to get it and run around in it Hmm

saoirse31 · 31/05/2016 09:01

Just run a hot wash with bleach in it op. It'll get worse otherwise. And leave door open

crazywriter · 31/05/2016 09:05

Open overnight, closed in the day. Where ours is placed, if it's left even slightly open the door to the back hallway catches on it and that remains closed since it leads to the downstairs bathroom and back door.

We clean regularly with baking soda and white vinegar. Cheap and works a treat to prevent mould and smells.

crazywriter · 31/05/2016 09:07

I will say for those saying clean instead of mn. I mn while feeding the baby so couldn't clean too. But then I have time to clean at other points in the week.

BurnTheBlackSuit · 31/05/2016 09:08

After washing, I remove the draw and dry the inside- door and seals and inside the bit where the draw goes and then leave the door wide open for a few hours. Then I put the now dry draw back in and push the door ajar. No mould and the machine is 10 years old. It literally takes less than a minute to do this extra "job" to keep the machine mould free.

I also do a 90deg water only cycle occasionally to kill off anything inside and to get rid of any detergent residue build up.

elQuintoConyo · 31/05/2016 14:10

I leave door and drawer open until they're dry then close them. No mould here.

Original poster
yespeeps · 31/05/2016 18:55

thanks for all the helpful answers, had no idea about the issue with liquid detergents and the issue with eczema, that's interesting!
Maybe one day someone will invent a washing machine that has vents for when it's not in use.

OP posts:
EveryoneElsie · 31/05/2016 18:58

If you have any O2 laundry bleach (Pound Shop do it) then sprinkle a bit in on the black stuff, add some hot water and leave it.
Leave the door open or the mould makes the machine smell.

WeAllHaveWings · 31/05/2016 19:00

I leave the door and the drawer ajar after a wash until the machine dries out, then close. We generally do must of the washing at the weekend so it's closed weekdays.

NicknameUsed · 31/05/2016 19:39

"had no idea about the issue with liquid detergents and the issue with eczema, that's interesting"

I only discovered that by accident. The problem was the smelly washer, but the side effect from using Ariel was the eczema disappearing. Most people mistakenly think bio powders cause eczema. They don't, it is the perfumes that are used. For some reason Ariel doesn't trigger DD's eczema.

Fluffyears · 31/05/2016 20:34

Open until it's dry then door is closed back over but not firmly shut so air can still get in. In over 10 years never had mould or smells but I do a service wash once a month by turning it on at 90c with no clothes and no detergent. It's amazing how much stuff 'collects' when you do this as pipes are getting a good clean.