Author

Warren Phillips
November 05, 2026

NON-TOXIC DAD

THURSDAY · CLEANER LAUNDRY

M.S. Environmental Scientist · Weekly Newsletter

IS YOUR WASHER HIDING MOLD?

HELLO, NON-TOXIC FAMILY!

The laundry room doesn’t get much attention in the non-toxic conversation, but it probably should. Detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets leave residue on fabrics that sit against your skin for hours a day, and your washing machine can also harbor something you’d rather not know about: mold. This week I’m walking through how to actually clean mold out of your washer (not just mask it), and a simple homemade swap for dryer sheets. Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Blueland.

QUIZ OF THE WEEK

TEST YOURSELF

LET’S TEST YOUR LAUNDRY ROOM IQ THIS WEEK

What can mold growing inside a washing machine release that has been linked to inflammation and immune and neurological effects with prolonged exposure?

A. Mycotoxins

B. Just a bad smell, nothing more

C. Probiotics

D. Chlorine gas

Think you know the answer? Scroll to the bottom of this week’s newsletter to see if you got it right!

Did you catch my recent reel on healthy home tips from an environmental scientist?

I broke down what’s hiding in your walls, pipes, and water, and the 5 upgrades I’d make first. Number 5 is a must, so watch before your next build or remodel.

NON-TOXIC TIP OF THE WEEK

CHECKLIST

THIS WEEK’S CHECKLIST

8 Steps to Remove Stubborn Mold From Your Washing Machine

Front-loaders especially are notorious for trapping moisture behind that rubber door seal, which is exactly the dark, damp environment mold needs. A musty smell means the machine needs attention, not just a stronger-scented detergent. Here’s how to actually clear it out:

☐ Empty the washer completely.

☐ Run a hot cycle with white vinegar. Pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum, then run the hottest, longest cycle your washer allows.

☐ Run a second hot cycle with baking soda. Once the vinegar cycle finishes, sprinkle 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda into the drum and run another hot cycle.

☐ Clean the gasket and door area. Use a cloth or old toothbrush with 3% hydrogen peroxide or a 50/50 vinegar-and-water mix to scrub the rubber seal and door lip, paying close attention to dark spots or slimy buildup.

☐ Clean the detergent drawer. If possible, remove it, rinse well, then scrub with the same hydrogen peroxide or vinegar solution. Dry before replacing.

☐ For stubborn mold: Add 5-10 drops of tea tree oil to your cleaning cloth or a small bowl of vinegar and water, then wipe problem areas again. Skip this step if you have cats that may come into contact with the wet residue.

☐ Dry it out after every load. Leave the washer door open and the detergent tray cracked so moisture can evaporate.

☐ Put it on a schedule. Repeat the full clean every 4-8 weeks, sooner if the musty smell comes back.

☐ Run a dehumidifier in the laundry room. Laundry rooms tend to stay humid between loads, drying racks, and the washer itself, making them a prime spot for mold and mildew to creep in beyond the machine. A small dehumidifier keeps the whole room dry, not just the washer drum.

I go deeper on all of this in my latest blog post:

MYSTERY LINK OF THE DAY

NON-TOXIC DAD

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT’S INSIDE

Always something useful!

Could be a handy non-toxic reference guide, a favorite product we are loving lately, a huge discount, a helpful health tool, or a link placked with resources you probably have not seen before.

RECIPE OF THE WEEK

HOMEMADE CRACKERS

Homemade Wool Dryer Balls

The laundry room is one of the most overlooked sources of daily chemical exposure. Detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets leave residue behind that ends up on your clothes, towels, and bedding: fabrics that sit against your skin for hours every day. Homemade wool dryer balls replace disposable dryer sheets: they reduce static naturally, soften fabrics, and help clothes dry faster, without fragrance, synthetic coatings, or chemical softeners. Add a few drops of essential oil for a light scent, if you want one. They’re inexpensive to make, last for years, and most people never go back once they try them.

A Quick Word From Blueland

Beyond the clean, non-toxic ingredient list, I appreciate their product philosophy; they’re built around refillable packaging from the start, not just better formulas. You get fewer harsh chemicals down the drain and less single-use plastic in the laundry room. Worth a look if you haven’t tried their laundry tablets or dish soap yet: 

In Closing,

A kid’s bedroom doesn’t need a full renovation to get cleaner, just a few swaps in what they sleep on, breathe, and play with. Thanks for being part of the Non-Toxic Family, see you next week!

Warren

NON-TOXIC DAD

PS: Quiz Answer!

A: Mycotoxins

Mold growing inside a washing machine, especially around that rubber door gasket on front-loaders, can release mycotoxins with prolonged exposure. These have been linked to inflammation and immune and neurological effects, which is exactly why a regular vinegar-and-baking-soda deep clean matters more than just masking the smell with a stronger-scented detergent.