Mold appears most in damp and moist areas. With something like a washing machine, hot water is constantly spinning through it and getting kept in the drum area, so it is pretty common for mold growth to form here, especially black mold. That’s why it’s so important to know how to remove mold from a washing machine’s rubber seal, where it tends to condense.
You should try to clean the inside of your washing machine as often as possible to prevent problems with future performance and ensure your clothes are not left smelling unclean.
Make sure not to neglect cleaning your front load washer, as mold can form in this rubber seal, resulting in pungent-smelling clothes even after throwing them in with some lovely-smelling detergent.
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How to get mold off your washing machine seal.
Knowing how to remove mold from a washing machine’s rubber seal will ensure that your clothes will remain clean and smelling fresh
There are a few things to make sure to do before using a mold removing solution:
Pre-clean the rubber seal
Pre-cleaning the rubber seal (also known as a washer gasket) will ensure that the cleaning products you use in later processes work better.
Dampen the cloth in soapy water and clean the rubber seal, ensuring you reach every groove and corner, both underneath and behind the seal.
You should try to remove everything apart from the toughest stains during this cleaning process. These will be removed by the more potent cleaning methods later.
Clean the dispenser
Mold can form in the spaces of your detergent dispenser, so you must clean this regularly, too, as solidified detergents can cause mold to form a lot easier.
Again, make sure to clean these areas with a cloth and soapy water to remove any build-up of mold or detergent.
Note: Some detergent dispensers cannot be removed from the machine and are built-in, so they can be hard to reach. If this is the case, you may resort to using a pipe cleaner.
Mold remover
To remove mold, you can either create your own mold-removing solution or use a commercial mold remover.
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Here are some homemade ways that you can make your own mold remover:
- Mix 2 cups of warm water with a ¼ cup of lemon juice and ½ a cup of distilled white vinegar. White vinegar is used for many things due to its excellent cleaning properties.
- Mix 2 cups of water with ¼ cup of lemon juice and ½ a cup of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice are great at combatting mold and preventing contamination.
- Mix 4 parts water and 1 part vinegar for smaller amounts of mold.
- Mix 4 parts water and 1 part bleach – this can be used if the natural methods mentioned above do not work very well.
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Mold removers are the easiest and most time-efficient ways to clean mold, especially if you’re not making your own cleaning solution.
Make sure the mold remover is in a spray bottle, as the mold remover can reach these deeper areas of the seal a lot better. Commercial mold removers usually come in spray bottles when you purchase them.
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Add your homemade cleaning mixture to a spray bottle, or grab your store-bought mold remover and spray the moldy areas.
Note: Wear gloves to avoid getting the cleaning solution or mold remover on your hands, which may cause irritation. If you do get the solution on your skin, be sure to wash your hands immediately.
After spraying these areas, leave to sit for 10 minutes. Once the 10 minutes are up, you can wipe the surface with a clean rag.
Run an empty wash
After this, you should run an empty wash to remove all the mold remover from the washing machine.
To ensure the mold remover is completely removed, you may want to add some cleaning agents to this empty wash.
Add 1 cup of bleach with 1 cup of baking soda. Or you may add some washing machine cleaner with dishwasher detergent.
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Let the washing machine spin for at least 10 minutes, and then, if the smell persists, you can repeat this process.
After this, you may clean the rubber with a soft cloth to wipe off any remaining mold. It is best to do this while the machine is still hot so that the mold is easier to remove due to the heat.
Make sure when you are finished that the machine is completely dry so that any residual mold cannot reproduce.
Note: You must put the washing machine on a hot wash. Ideally, you should use the hottest option on the washing machine so that the mold remover can be washed away thoroughly.
Many people wash their clothes at 40 degrees or below 40 degrees, as it is more eco-friendly; however, it makes it easier for detergent to be left behind.
This can be a catalyst for the spread of mold and dirt within the washing machine. Washing at 40 degrees or lower does not do as good of a job at cleaning the drum of the washing machine in comparison to higher-temperature washes.
Other ways to clean the seal:
Soda Crystals
Add 500g of soda crystals to your washing machine drum and put it on a boiling hot wash. Wipe with a clean cloth afterward.
This is advised to be done every month.
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Dishwasher Tablets
Add two or three dishwasher tablets into your washing machine on a hotwash. This can be done a few times to remove the mold.
Again, wipe the area with a clean cloth afterward.
Bleach
Another way to clean the inside of the drum is to put bleach-soaked paper towels in the drum, covering the mold.
These paper towels should be left overnight, taken off in the morning, and again wiped down with a cloth.
Baking Soda and Water
Create a paste with baking soda and water. This baking soda paste should be placed on the drum where the mold is growing.
This should be left overnight. When you return to it in the morning, scrub with a soft-bristled brush/old toothbrush, then put on the hottest wash setting to wash the rest of the mold away.
Some tips when cleaning the rubber seal of your washing machine:
White vinegar as a cleaning solution is great for stubborn mold that will not come off.
If there are some harder parts to reach, using a cotton bud soaked in the mold-removing vinegar solution might be a good idea. Especially to get into the grooves that may not be affected by the spray bottle or when a hot wash is put on.
How often should I clean my washing machine seal?
It is best to wash your washing machine on its own every month by running a service wash, especially if you use it often and the clothes being washed are particularly dirty.
Sometimes, it is better to do it more regularly to ensure your washing machine is always clean so that you are constantly fighting off that mold!
Additionally, you should check your seal regularly to look for the appearance of any growing mold. This is to prevent the continual build-up of mold and the further spread.
You should also check for any debris that might have gotten stuck in the washing machine. A big culprit is laundry that has tissues in the pockets.
This tissue can stick to the sides of the washing machine rubber seal and get into the nooks and crannies of the rubber seal. This can spread mold and produce a strong, smelly odor in the washing machine, too.
So be sure to check your rubber seal regularly.
How to prevent mould in the future
Ensure to leave the washer door open when the wash has finished and when the washing machine is not being used.
This allows the air to circulate properly and allows the inside of the machine to dry naturally, preventing mold spores from thriving.
When your clothes have finished their cycle, remove them immediately because if both the water and wet clothes sit in the washing machine for an extended period, it can create a perfect environment that for bacteria to spread very easily.
This is the most common cause for the build-up of mold and mildew that are contained within washing machines because many people forget their wet laundry in the washer drum after it has finished its cycle.
When you have finished a wash cycle, make sure to dry the surfaces with a clean cloth, especially the rubber seal, glass, and washing machine door, ensuring there is no detergent residue, fabric softener, or anything else left behind. Pay close attention to the detergent drawer as leftover liquid detergent can be a breeding ground for mold.
Now that you know these tricks on how to remove mold from a washing machine’s rubber seal with a homemade mold remover or a store-bought one, you can stop your clothes from emitting a bad smell and leave them smelling like they should. Amazing!
Regular cleaning and frequent use of the highest temperature setting can be a great way to prevent mold problems.
FAQs About How To Remove Mold From A Washing Machine’s Rubber Seal
What is the black stuff on the rubber of washing machine?
The black gunk on washing machine seals is usually mold or mildew. With all that constant moisture and heat, plus traces of dirt and detergent, it’s prime real estate for fungi. The rubber surfaces of the washer’s gasket make a cozy home for the gross black stuff to grow.
Does bleach damage rubber seals in washing machine?
Yes, bleach does harm washing machine rubber seals over time. Even though bleach kills mold, using too much degrades the seals. Then you get leaks, poor performance, and repairs that cost big bucks. I’d only use bleach if absolutely necessary.
What is the difference between mold and mildew?
Mold and mildew are related fungi, but have key differences. Mold grows in fuzzy blotches and varies in color. It damages surfaces. Mildew is grayish-white with a powdery feel and stays superficial. Both mean moisture got trapped.
Can you use CLR mold and mildew clear on rubber?
Before deciding to use CLR mold and mildew clear on the washing machine rubber gasket, I’d read the label first. Some cleaners break down rubber with repeated use. Make sure it’s rubber-safe, and test a hidden spot first. You don’t want to ruin seals while removing mildew!
Do all front load washers have mold issues?
Does a front load washing machine always get mold? Nope, but its design makes it more likely. To help prevent mold and unpleasant odors, leave the door open, use the right detergent, clean regularly, and follow tips from the manufacturer. A little prevention goes a long way.