99% of all mold issues in FL washers are consumer related, and not the fault of the manufacturer at all.

You need to do 3 simple things to prevent mold in any FL washer. Once it's there, it's far harder to eliminate.

1. Use HE detergent. And don't overdose.

2. Leave the door open once you've finished the wash for the day. Wipe out the boot and let it dry.

3. DO a HOT water wash with bleach at least once every couple of weeks.

To run a "clean washer cycle" you may want to run a cycle on the hottest hot your machine can achieve wth an enzymatic DW detergent to eliminate any biosolids that may have accumulated between the inner and outer tubs. Follow up with a hot water wash with bleach. If you do those things now, your rubber gasket will probably have mold stains remain on it, even if you eliminate any active mold infestation in the washer. If you're otherwise pleased at the service of your washer, then replace the rubber boot and continue with the best practices outlined above.

I'll try both of those things, thanks. How do I replace the boot? Is it super-pricey to do that?

PS I do everything you say, and have for two years, so I don't know that this is consumer related-- the only thing that might be a problem is that sometimes I do 2-3 loads in a row, but I have a toddler, so...

There are many useful discussions of the problems with front loaders and mold/smell on the laundry forum. I had the worst problem with my Kenmore until I finally stopped using liquid detergent and fabric softener and started leaving the door open. I also stopped doing cold water washes. Now, I never get mold or a bad odor.

I had a terrible build up in the rubber gasket for the front door but managed to clean it up without any problems. There is a thread in the Laundry forum where someone with a huge odor problem took their machine apart...the pictures aren't pretty! I tried bleach with the sanitizing wash and that *smelly washer* product but neither of these solutions worked. The key is using powder detergent and no fabric softener. I use dryer sheets now.

There probably is a lot of good information on the laundry forum. I have a bosch washer as well and the mold smell is quite significant. I asked the service tech when he was out to replace the bearing assembly, and he recommended a liquid cleanser that they sell. I haven't purchased it as I don't really believe it will solve the problem. If you wipe in between the gasket, you will find quite a bit of gunk. I don't really see how running a hot wash will get to that area. I will try the powder and the sanitary wash. The best idea is to leave the door open. Other front loaders must have the same problem..?

All front loaders end up with a puddle of water in the gasket.

Having had a variety of front loaders in Europe all my life, I can assure you this is normal, and everyone there knows (from the long experience) that you simply wipe it up between washes (I often use the dishcloths that are waiting to be washed) and LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN. I know this is a challenge if you have small children (which you do) or cats, as clearly the risk of them getting inside is something only you can evaluate.

But a routine wipe up of the puddle, and leaving the door open for at least a couple of hours after a wash should resolve it. It's a consumer issue, not a manufacturer one.

I've had my U.S. Bosch front loader for about 5 years and have never, ever had a mouldy smell. And I use liquid detergent (7th Generation).

I have a Miele that is just over 10years old. I have never left the door open and don't have a mold issue. In both my homes the machines has been in a closet that made it impossible to have the door open and close the closet door. I have never used liquid detergent (spilled too many containers and I think they are more expensive than powder in the long run) and rarely use fabric softener except for Ecover fabric softener. I use a home made lavender vinegar. I run at least two boil washes a week (190F in the Miele). I rarely wash with cold water except when washing blacks. I don't think having a machine that uses water efficiently and heats only the water it needs negates the environmental friendliness of the these front loads versus the toploaders they are replacing in the US. I also have never used bleach in my machine. I don't use bleach period because the smell triggers migraines for me and I have a contact sensitivity to it. I never wipe down the boot around my washer either. I think switching to a powdered detergent and using warm and hot washes where appropriate for your fabrics will help.

Do you know if you have hard or soft water? I wonder if water quality also plays a role in why some people never have mold like me and others get alot of mold? Just one more theory to add to the confusion.

Good luck!

I had a Miele that I never had a problem with & like Homepro I didn't leave the door open but I did wipe the gasket & door.
But I moved & bought an LG set & within a couple of weeks I had mold issues. I did some research & discovered that some liquid detergents can cause problems. I went back to buying Persil & haven't had to run any hot rinses since the one to clean the washer of any lingering mold.

During this discussion I remembered that I accidentally put dish detergent (not dishwasher detergent) in one load about a month ago. I think that made the problem worse (it was there before, but not as bad). Maybe mold thinks dish detergent is delicious. I always use the environmentally friendly stuff, which may be more tasty, mold-wise.

Now I am using powdered detergent which does seem to help, and I ran a hot as heck load with just bleach and water. That wiped a lot of it out, yay. I'm going to leave every blessed part of the machine open when not in use, because that seems to help, too. It looks ridiculous, but I want the mold gone.

I am starting to think it is a detergent issue as much as anything else, and of course wiping out the machine. And maybe a cold water issue. I never used anything but cold water before trying to get this problem gone, and I think that made a difference (don't ask me why). Soaking the mold in bleach works best, so the sides aren't getting as clean, so I may try leaving a rag soaked in bleach against the sides overnight.

I also hate bleach, the smell, everything. But I'm thankful it is working.

THANKS everyone. I would have never thought of vinegar, using powdered detergent, and not doing so many cold water washes. That all made a huge difference-- I could actually smell and feel how clean the machine was after the vinegar. I guess the liquid detergent really does coat the machine. Yuck.

My Bosch instructions say "no bleach". Has chlorine bleach not been a problem? I am diligent in wiping out the gasket and leaving it open, but just bought a new condo where the Bosch washer has a moldy gasket,,,and I'm wondering if just replacing that will do the trick and eliminate all the mold and odor. any thoughts?

I have an LG and a Bosch and several other washers in rental units. The LG has a drain at the bottom of the rubber door seal, so it does not collect much water. Over time, the drain can clog and mold and other grime can accumulate. I use compressed air to unclog the drain and then pour a solution of water and DW detergent in the drain, then run a hot water cycle. I believe the Bosch has a similar drain. The door seal gets very nasty if that drain is blocked.

My new Bosch Washing machine is awful !!!! Mould everywhere. Inside drawer, door seal and it stinks. I can't leave washing in it. I have regularly cleaned everything with bleach and the marks on the rubber seal won't shift. I put on drum clean and super hot washes to no avail. The drawer I may add is particularly difficult to clean, so many areas you can't get to unless submerged. Not ideal as I have the self dispenser. I do not reccommend a Bosch washing machine. Not ever !