A word of extreme caution when buying “used washers and dryers” and also something to be aware of when you are a buyer, buying a home in the future where you have your agent battling to make sure that the washer and dryer is left behind and stays with the home. When you view the home take a flash light and check inside the washer and dryer to make sure you REALLY want it.  Why?

- You do not know what someone washed or dried in it.

- You do not know how someone cared for or maintained it.

- If you have children with severe allergies or asthma, be especially careful due to mold and other chemicals that may have been used in the washer and dryer that may not be disclosed because the homeowner may not know or think about it.  

- Look in the cabinets in the utility room. See any products you do not like? 

- Black mold also called Stachybotrys caused by moisture that can get embedded into the washer drum or rubber lining of front load washers or other severe moisture molds like, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria or Cladosporium may be also present in the washer or dryer that you are not aware of and can become reactivated once the washer or dryer is reused, especially in front load washers with a smell that you cannot always readily sense or smell when you buy that washer or in a dryer vent that has moisture trapped inside.

I am not saying that this is the case in every washer and dryer situation, but it is helpful to at least be aware that the inherent danger exists wherever water, moisture or harsh chemicals are used or sit for long periods of time without proper ventilation or drainage.

If you have a front load washer or any washing machine really, you should wipe off the glass door or drum lid after each use and leave the door or lid open. It is also a good idea to periodically clean your washer following steps in the links below. 

After each washer use, DO NOT CLOSE THE DOOR OR LID AS IT NEEDS TO VENTILATE AND AIR DRY!

Also, leave the soap dispenser drawer cracked open, so it can air dry as well. 

For dryers, one of the most important functions of the clothes dryer is the elimination of moisture recovered during the heating of damp clothes.  The moisture is held in the warm air produced by the dryer as humidity, and is normally expelled to the outdoors throughout the dryer’s vent.  If the air cannot be adequately removed, mold begins to grow and cause potential health issues.  The moisture can also condense into pools of water in the dryer vent, which is a sign of poor venting. So make sure that you periodically check the dryer vent line to make sure that it is not obstructed and does not contain any moisture and make sure to adequately dry your clothes and never leave damp clothes sitting in the washer or dryer for too long.

It is also a good idea periodically to run the dryer for an hour completely empty to dry out any excess moisture in the vent line to reduce or prevent mold growth.

Also, if you have a ventilation fan, leave it on for at least an hour after each washer use. If it is a "whole house fan" just slide the timer bar over to “automatic on” and the fan will kick on and then you can later slide it back to the “timer position” for fresh air mode. If you do not have one, consider having one installed. You can also install vent fans on an exterior wall that vents directly to the outside. 

This ventilation will help to prevent or reduce mold growth. You can always read more about it online and here are a couple of helpful links.

Ehow clean your washing machine link:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2353143_remove-washing-machine-mold.html

Smelly Washer cleaning solution link:

http://www.nufreshnow.com/

You can also Google, "How to clean or remove mold in washing and drying machines" to give you more possible cleaning solutions and answers to any further questions.

Ashtin Vanderbilt
Bellevue Real Estate Broker / Skyline Properties Inc.
"Voted Best Bellevue Real Estate Agent Of 2011" KOMO 4 News' "Best Of Bellevue Community"
"Voted 5-Star Real Estate Agent" Seattle Magazine 2008 & 2010
Direct: 206-659-2501
Website: http://www.VanderbiltOnline.net
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