This Clever $29 Amazon Find Airs Out My Washing Machine So It Doesn’t Smell

I have a hate-hate relationship with my front-load washing machine. I knowsome people love them,但我不喜欢。不管我特殊的感觉s, I’m stuck with mine, as replacing it will cost more money than I’m willing to spend. And to be fair to my washer, it is very gentle with my delicates and uses less water than atraditional top load— it just insists on being babied with regular maintenance as thanks for its hard work.

If you own a front-load washing machine, you already know that the rubber seal and detergent drawer are particularly prone to mold. Not only do they need to be cleaned regularly, but it’s also important tokeep both the door and drawer openso the water can evaporate quickly.

If you live in a small home, though, keeping the door open can be a real inconvenience. In my first apartment, the washer was located in a closet. If I wanted to keep the washer door open, I also had to keep the closet door open, which then blocked the hallway. In my next apartment, I had plenty of space to leave the door open, but Ishared the basementand washing machine with a neighbor who did not share my enthusiasm for airing out the washer. I think she considered an open washer door an eyesore, and she wasn’t wrong, butwhat about the mold?

If I had known about theDoor-Doc, perhaps I could have come to a compromise, instead of constantly rage-opening the door. The Door-Doc is an L-shaped product that attaches magnetically to the washing machine and keeps the door open a few inches — enough to allow airflow but not block traffic in your home. If you have the space to open the door a bit wider, you can place the Door-Doc on the hinge side of the door and get almost the same airflow as you would with a wide-open door.

The time saved on cleaning mold out of the rubber gasket makes this item worth it, if you ask me. If you have room to leave your washer door wide open, you don’t need this tool, but fortight laundry spaces, it’s a game-changer. It may even spare you some neighborly drama.

Buy:Door-Doc Front Load Washer Mold and Odor Prevention, $28.99