Electrolux Washing Machine Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Mold Problems

Russell Maas

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A class action lawsuit has been filed against Electrolux, over mold problems with front-loading washing machines, which allegedly results in a smell that can permeate a consumer’s home, as well as potentially spreading mold or mildew onto clothes.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Reginald Lampkin and Megan Brown in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on February 8, seeking class action status for all consumers who purchased certain front-loading automatic washing machines, which were sold under the brand names Electrolux, Frigidaire and Kenmore.

According to the lawsuit, the manufacturer concealed design defects and knew that the Electrolux washing machines may fail to drain properly, failing to eliminate moisture following washing cycles, and fail to rinse away or remove dirt, detergent, fabric softeners and oils, which lead to the growth of mold and mildew.

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The development of mold and mildew in a consumer’s washing machine can lead to a variety of health and safety issues, as well as causing mold on clothes to spread throughout the home. Plaintiff’s also allege that many items have been destroyed due to the insufficient moisture removing cycles, causing specialty items and clothes to be ruined from mold growth. In addition to the safety concerns, the lawsuit alleges the washing machines’ mold growth issues have substantially decreased their value and consumers are owed compensation.

“The mold and mildew problems in the Washing Machines create a geniune nuisance,” according to the Electrolux class action lawsuit. “In addition to being unsightly and noxious, mold and mildew on the inside of a washing machine can damage cloths and other items. Furthermore, the development of mold and mildew in a consumer’s washing machine can lead to a host of health problems, including allergies and complications due to asthma. Needless to say, the mold and mildew problems also substantially decrease the value of these Washing Machines.”

The manufacturer has allegedly refused to correct the problems, instead instructing consumers to wipe the inside steel baskets of their washing machines after each wash cycle and directing them to purchase cleansing agents if they report a problem. Electrolux also tells consumers to leave the washing machine door open after use, which the complaint points out is an unsafe practice, which the manufacturer explicitly warned consumers not do around small children.

Plaintiffs allege that Electrolux has profited, directly and indirectly, by concealing the nature of the defects of the falsely advertised washing machines and has not offered any remedy or solution to prevent mold or mildew growth within the machines.

As a result of the deceptive, unfair, fraudulent, and unlawful conduct alleged, the lawsuit calls for all class members to be compensated with punitive damages and for Electrolux to issue a corrective order to either resolve the issue or replace the machines.

Written by: Russell Maas

Managing Editor & Senior Legal Journalist

Russell Maas is a paralegal and the Managing Editor of AboutLawsuits.com, where he has reported on mass tort litigation, medical recalls, and consumer safety issues since 2010. He brings legal experience from one of the nation’s leading personal injury law firms and oversees the site’s editorial strategy, including SEO and content development.

Tags: Class Action Lawsuit, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Kenmore, Mold, Washing Machine

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229 Comments

Ellen
We also have a black mold issue with our 2 year old electrolux front load washer. The mold started adhering to the rubber , just months after purchase and use. Despite many cleaning attempts, it remains in place. I am concerned about my health with mold spores on my clothing. I am dismayed that electrolux will not remedy the situation.
Karran
I too am an Electrolux front load owner, the mold is awful, I have sprayed, scrubbed and used the cleaning cycle repeatedly. The mold is still there and appears to be gaining on me. My clothes never smell fresh and it is so frustrating. Washers are expensive, Electrolux will not get any of my business in the future and poor poor marks for customer quality and satisfaction.
Theresa
I am disgusted. Washer always smells but is only a few years old. My clean laundry smells! We leave it open to air dry. I live in a low humidity state. I am constantly drying the rubber seal which has black mold. I use the clean cycle but it does not help. Today I flipped up the rubber seal inside to look behind it & there is all this grey sludge! I am disabled & care for my 95 year old father who has copd! We can NOT have this in our home! Please add me to the class action lawsuit. Wish I could post pictures of it!
Christy
We have the exact same mold issues with our Electrolux washer- please add me to the class-action lawsuit! Has anyone heard of what can be done to fix the issue besides buying a different washer??
Diana
The stacking front load machine (Electrolux Front Load Washer with LuxCare Wash #EFLW315TIF) I purchased in 2018 now has black mold on the rubber door seal. No amount of scrubbing will remove it and clothes smell like mold. Also, it was advertised as a second floor “no shake” machine. It shakes more than the old washer it replaced! I have no hope of getting it repaired or replaced but you should avoid this brand altogether.
Tiffany
Just like everyone else our washer is caked with mold. 3 years old and disgusting.
Jami
I have scrubbed and used vinegar but the mold does not going away. It’s very gross and make our clothes stink. Please add me to the law suit.
Kerry
This is dated in 2017! Is it still active? Will it ever be brought to trial? Has Electrolux settled with some users? We always take the machine through self-cleaning cycles when machine recommends. Have wiped the rubber seal at least monthly with paper towels and 100% bleach. Some cleans off, then reappears almost immediately.
Ardis
Our Electrolux washer has the same problem as al th above people have complained of. After each day that I have done laundry I have dried out the gasket as much as possible, dried out the inside of the washer drum and I have the washer door open til the next time I did laundry. I took the soap dispenser out, dried the area that the dispenser was as far back as I could get my hand to go. And I still have this black slimy mold that is starting to smell. I can not get rid of it no matter what I run through it. I am so disgusted with this product. I bought it because it seemed so much better than all the other brands of washers. Please add me to the class law suit.
Fiona
It is so true. My clothes always smell musty, even running them through multiple times and with vinegar and or bleach. It is really disconcerting. I haven’t seen visible mold and always keep the door open after cycles but it is truly concerning and I can’t get the smell out.
Mehmooda
same problem.. i thought i was doing smth wrong until i searched this over the internet. theres no way to get rid of this black slimy mold.
Stacy
Mine is also full of black mold and smells awful.
Kimberly
We have been having problems for not with our washer and it’s not even a year old. I’m extremely allergic to molds. And I had a full blown asthma attack yesterday. We are currently waiting for the rubber gasket to be replaced but now I realize that won’t help at all. I’m going immediately to but ANOTHER new washer. I was also just complaining about the smells of our clothes.
Sonya
I have had my washer for 6 months and full of mold!!! I had my Maytag for 10 years and no thing like this! I clean it constantly and leave the door open! My washer leaks around the seal especially in the clean cycle!!
Megan
The absolute worst washing machine. No matter what I do or how much I clean it the mold is out of control and it stinks up my house. I can’t believe this product is on the market and being sold. The very idea that I must deep clean my washer, “my washer”, after each use is insane.
Pamela
Same issue with black mold all along the gasket inside and out – wash machine is about 1 and 1/2 years old. I was able to clean it early on, but now the whole inside is black despite using bleach – I even lined the whole thing with a bleach soaked towel but it comes right back
Lou
Very unhappy with our Electrolux. The smell when you are washing clothes is horrible. We clean the machine all the time and still smells. Would never buy another product from them .
Susan
Our clothes never smell fresh and clean . Can’t get rubber clean . Was told by seller to always leave door open after use . Dry out with towel and white vinegar . Still molding my husband and I have allergies. Very unhappy
Laura
If I don’t leave the machine door open it will start to mold very quickly. Sorry m really unhappy with this problem. I have mold allergies and this can cause a allergic reaction.
Tara
I bought Electrolux front loader washer and dryer in 2017. I have replaced the gasket 3 times and my washer still smells like mold. I leave it open every night and clean it 2 to 3 times a month. My clothes smell so bad and my allergies have gotten so much worse. Please add my name to the law suit.
james
I bought my Electrolux washer 1 year ago and it is loaded with black mold. I have tried to clean as best I can but cant get rid of it.
Mary
Please add me to the lawsuit . My Electrolux wash is less than 3 yrs old and the rubber seal is full of mold. It’s impossible to remove it. So disappointing !!
Rochelle
I just bought this machine and thought I was crazy…I have mold and it smells up my house
Erin
Washer just 1.5 years old bad mold in gasket despite wiping down after loads and leaving door oprn
Katie
We have only had our machine for 2 years and we also have black mold everywhere around the rubber rim which causes clothes to smell.
Dolores
I hate my Electrolux, I regret ever buying it. Got it in 2018 and not even a year later it stared with black mold on door rubber. I clean it at least twice a month, but its getting worse. My husband started to complain that clothing smell horrible. It often leaks from main panel and just few days ago our laundry is still soaking wet after cycle. To get to the pump to clean it you have to pull apart whole washer. What a waste of money, plus we have to pay to junk it, we cant even sell it to recuperate some cost of getting a new washer.
Linda
I both saddened to read this is a problem with other owner’s of these machines! So unhappy with this one! I We just replaced our rubber seal because it was leaking during the clean cycle but had also developed black mold at the bottom edge. And the odor problem with these is ongoing. I always leave the door open& pull the soap dispenser out to dry after every use. Also Demetrius the door and rubber door washer to help prevent mold. But despite this, it smells horrible and that smell transfers to our clothing. It smells like a sour towels or dish cloth after washing. I clean it with 2 c. of white vinegar monthly which doesn’t seem to help much. When I clean it, there is so much sudsing visible through the door glass. We are very careful not to use much soap, so something isn’t right here. We also use the second rinse cycle all the time trying to prevent any soap build up due to nit enough rinse water. And why is there no pump clean Out like other front loaders I have owned? Disgusting odor emits from that when you clean it out, so you know this is happening with this washer too. And no way to clean it. I called and checked.
Karla
Our electrolux washer is not even 3 years old and FULL of mold on the seal. This is beyond disgusting and I’m allergic to mold! I have never had this problem before with any washing machine. Add me to the class action lawsuit please. Thank you, Karla Gandy
Judy
BLACK MOLD AWFUL.
Kevin
Please add me to the class action. We bought the extended warranty and still can’t get the problem resolved.
Mindy
Has this case been resolved? I am experiencing this problem now with my 2018 Electrolux washing machine. We’ve followed the operating guidelines, and we have mold that cannot be removed. Please add us to the class action law suit. I called Electrolux and was told the gasket is not covered under their warranty because it is considered “cosmetic” and not essential to the functioning of the machine.
Ryan
We purchased ours a few years ago and have battling mold for a couple of years. It’s terrible and can not be safe.
Linda
Found this site while searching for ways to rid my washer of mold smell. Looks like I’m not alone. I purchased mine in Feb. 2017, model # EFLS617SIW I have tried everything. The gasket is just disgusting. Nothing works.
Valerie
I’m having a 2020 frontal Electrolux washing machine and having the same problem with mold.
Pradeep
We purchase or Electrolux pair of washer and dryer in January 2020 and not only keep it open after every cycle but whenever it is not washing (90% of time). Besides this, we regularly dry the inside of the steel tub with a cloth to dry out any moisture as well as periodically (once every month) clean the washer itself using designated cleaner. Yet, we have mold develop on the ring and I am really disappointed that I didn’t do my research before buying this machine. Kindly add me to the law suit. I spent a fortune buying this and deciding over a lot of other American brands.
Kristal
I bought a Electrolux front loader washer and dryer in September 2018. There’s mold everywhere. I was like this was a great name brand. I keep following the directions on how to get rid of it but it doesn’t go away. It keeps coming back. I’m on a 1 income household and we don’t have the money to buy a new one. Help please!!!! This wrong and deceptive on so many levels.
Becky
We have the same mold issue and only had the washer for less then a year! They said they don’t cover mold!! are you kidding, it is black mold and it is everywhere and we followed everything. Please add me to this lawsuit if possible. or tell me where to go! Electrolux made me pay an extra $77 for the part to fix it on my own.
Jason
Ours front loader has about a year of moderate use and we have been fighting the same battle with black mold. We’ve tried several suggestions to get rid of the mold, but nothing works.
Francie
I have standing water after not using it for a few days
Maureen
Entire runner liner and underneath is covered in black mold! Have tried to clean with bleach, vinegar, and other washer machine developed products! Nothing removes. My laundry room smells like mold!
Cheryl
We purchased our Electrolux Front Load Washer 3 yrs ago and noticed mold growth shortly after. I was told when I bought it that the gasket rubber was mold growth detering. I wipe it down regularly and leave the door open as manufacturers recommendations but this has not helped. When cleaning, I noticed mold under the drum as well. Our clothes smell so badly and do not clean properly no matter if I wash them twice. I suspect there is mold being left on the clothing as we all are experiencing health issues such as as stuffiness and other symptoms. I would like to be added to this class action law suit if it is still curent.
Heather
Our machine is less than a year old and it has mold. They said they won’t cover the part. I’m angry and disgusted. I don’t know what to do! If I replace the part I’m afraid it will just happen again.
Heidi
I am having the same issue! Washer is 2 years old and having a severe mold issue. I have ran multiple clean cycles and tried different solutions and nothing has made it better. I ran straight bleach through the washer on a clean cycle and so much dirt and clumps of stuff was sitting in the drum. Absolutely disgusting!!!
Emily
I have an electrolux front washer and cannot get rid of the mold. I clean it out every day, keep the door open, and it is STILL getting mold all over.
denis
Please add me in this group as well for mold in front load gasquet model EFLS627UTT since sept 2018. Thanks, regards.
Heidi
Our previous Electrolux front loader was having mold issues. Front end loaders are easier on my back so we went looking for another. I was told two years ago when we bought this Electrolux they had corrected that problem and were the #1 best front end loader washer in the US. I read reviews for weeks prior to this and all were positive. Within 6 months our second washer began growing mold. I had been running clean cycles, bleaching, leaving the tray and front door open between washes and overnight. I was so determined we would keep this one from growing mold. Nothing worked. I’ve bought every spray, clean tablet around and it doesn’t even slow it. Sometimes after a clean cycle an orange like sludge is inside the machine. I now think it’s a fungus of some sort. My entire laundry rooms smells of mold. I’ve begun scrubbing the gasket with baking soda and salt to kill what’s on it but it does nothing. I’m pretty sure the entire machine is full of it behind the drum. I hve asthma and am allergic to mold. I often sneeze when opening the machine and have to hold my breath. We have had skin irritations as well and i think it’s the machine putting mold on our clothing. On top of all that it hasn’t ever cleaned well and often we will go to remove a finished load and it has dry spots where the echo feature didn’t allow enough water. It will start to dispense water then stop after a few seconds and go on with washing the clothes mostly dry. It can take 2-3 cycles before I can get it to actually fill with enough water to wet the load. We’ve adjust load sizes and types with no avail. This newer model has been worse than the first one we had. We are left with buying a new machine, very disappointing.
Erin
We bought our machine about 2 years ago. I followed the instructions to keep the door open and I would wipe the gasket. I run the washer cleaner cycle several times between uses, bleach and vinegar. I wipe it out after each load and have used a brush, qtips, wipes…to get the mold out of the gasket and it has completely stained to the point beyond removal. It’s become a safety concern for my family having the mold in each load of laundry.
Tricia
We bought our machine about 5 months ago. The mold and the smell are absolutely disgusting. I run the washer cleaner cycle, I’ve used front loader cleaner, bleach and vinegar. I dry it after each load and have even used qtips to get the mold out of the gasket. Nothing works!! My daughter is allergic to mold and her clothes are now irritating her. Please add me to the suit if it is current.
Ashley
We too are having problems with mold in our washing machine. All of our clothes smell and we can’t get the smell out no matter what we do. Very upset. Only had my washing machine for a few years.
Lynne
I have the same problem. I have accurately followed all the instructions, including multiple washer cleanings with bleach and with cleaning tablets. I find no visible mold, but the odor is disgusting and permeates our clothing, the laundry room, and the adjacent area. Is this suit still active and can we be included?
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