How to Clean a Washing Machine Seal – Quick Hacks

Let us teach you how clean mould, black mould, mildew and even replace your rubber seal.

Let’s get onto the important part; cleaning your mouldy washing machine. Before we get into my aforementioned steps, let’s take a quick look at the things you will need. Once you have each of these items to hand, you can get started on the cleaning.

You Will Need:

• Bleach or white vinegar
•  Spray bottle
• Gloves
• Cloths (preferably microfiber)

#1 First, run a normal wash cycle using hot water and bleach (or vinegar if you prefer it). The amount that you use will depend on the size of your washing machine, so dilute in relation to one load of laundry; one cup. Do not use a combination of bleach and vinegar as this causes toxic fumes.

#2 You can also mix one-part bleach or vinegar with four parts water in a spray bottle if this is easier for you. If you are using vinegar you can use equal parts vinegar to water if you prefer, and then spray it on and around the seal.

#3 Using gloved hands, wipe away the excess spray from the seal so that you can scrub off all the mould and gunk. Get right inside the grooves so that you can reach the hidden areas; both cleaning them and preventing mould from returning.

#4 Using a clean cloth, wipe the areas clean and ensure that all of the moisture has been removed. If the mould is really stubborn, you can let the solution sit there for a while and soak in the bad stuff to make it easier to get rid of.

#5 Spray the seal with clean water in order to rinse it, and then wipe it with a cloth to ensure that it is nice and clean again.

The above video also demonstrates a great way to get rid of mould on your seal. It’s quick and easy, as well as ideal for those who prefer to use chemical cleaners in order to remove toxic growths like mould.

Looking for a few more handy tips and tricks? Well, I have them here for you. These are sure to make keeping the door seal perfectly clean for the lifetime of your washing machine:

• Clean your rubber door seal using my recommended steps on a monthly basis
• Don’t overuse the bleach or it will wear the door seal out
• Keep the door seal as dry as possible. You can use several methods, including removing wet clothes quickly, wiping it dry after use, leaving the door open slightly, and using a dehumidifier
• Some detergents cause mould growth, if you feel this is the case consider switching
• Commercial cleaners for front-loading washing machine can help reduce mould
• Consider liquid or powder detergent as capsules can leave goo from the wrapper
• If the drainage holes are near the door, check for clothing that is stuck as this can get mouldy quickly

Yes, you can. There are times when the mould damage is too great, or it has become worn over time. In situations like this, it is possible for you to replace the door seal, which can be done by you or a professional. You can pick one up online or from your local hardware store.

The basics for this are really to follow the steps highlighted earlier in this guide. Bleach and water, or vinegar and water, are the best ways to get the door seal clean. However, I am loaded with some additional advice to help you achieve that new seal feel.

• air it out
• remove loads promptly
• choose detergent wisely
• use less detergent
• avoid fabric conditioner
• dry gaskets
• use bleach

In fact, if you want some really good visual advice for clean your rubber door seal, it is certainly worth checking out this fantastic video that I sourced. It’s packed with useful information and demonstrations, so I would recommend watching it to get a clear picture of how things are done.

You’ll find the cleaning process here is practically identical to the one I listed towards the start of this piece.

Just remember; clean the gasket out first. This is really important because otherwise, it can be easy for the washing machine to become clogged or not get cleaned properly. 

You should also set it to the highest water and temperature level when you are running the cleaning cycle with your bleach or vinegar solution. Other than that, here’s a quick rundown of the tips you should follow:

• clean gaskets
• clean dispensers
• run cleaning cycle
• repeat cleaning cycle
• professional help

If things just aren’t working and the door seal is still filthy, you will need to call in professional help. This shouldn’t be massively expensive, but they can either clean it up or get it replaced. It’s a simple method for a situation that can get tricky when left to its own devices.

There are a few possible causes for your rubber door seal getting a little mouldy. Constant washing at a low temperature alongside excessive detergent use can lead to mould building up alongside gel-like dirt all around the door seal.

This makes the washing machine smell unpleasant, and can have the same effect on your laundry. Similarly, if you leave your damp laundry in there for prolonged amounts of time, you are increasing the risk of mould growing because it thrives in a dark and damp environment.

Most of the time, a foul odour from your washing machine is because of washing machine seal and not the drum. Due to the design of the front-loading washing machine, they are really susceptible to mould and mildew growth. Unlike the top loaders, they are exposed to water and detergent all the time.

This means that while most of it is washed away, some will linger behind and stick; gathering bacteria and growing mould. The top loaders don’t have this issue because of their design, and so they are less likely to end up with mouldy seals. So, a front loader will be more maintenance in the long run, despite being the most popular type of washing machine.