A Complete Guide to Cleaning Your Washing Machine’s Rubber Seal

Alright, folks, who here has ever caught a whiff of something unpleasant wafting from their trusty washing machine? Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. The usual suspect? Mould hiding in the rubber seal on the machine’s door (also known as the gasket).

In our last article, we learned how to clean our washing machines. In this article, we’ll focus on the gasket. This rubber seal has a thing for moisture, making it the perfect hideout for unwelcome guests like mould and mildew.

But don’t fret, we’re here with a step-by-step guide on how to clean your washing machine’s rubber seal and keep it in tip-top shape.

Tools of the trade

Cleaning the rubber on your washing machine doesn’t require a huge investment on your part. Here are the things you’ll need:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar or bleach (if you’re a regular reader, you know which one I prefer)
• A clean towel or cloth
• Washing-up liquid

Here’s how to clean a rubber seal on washing machine.

If you’re after some safe and effective home remedies to kick that unsightly black residue to the curb, you’re in luck. We’ve got one method that uses all natural ingredients and one that uses bleach. However, both methods are straightforward and will help you give that rubber seal a good scrub.

Battle Mould with White Vinegar

If you’re dealing with a mouldy seal, this method is your secret weapon:

• Swing the washing machine door wide open, fully exposing the rubber seal.
• Grab a cotton pad or ball, dampen it with white vinegar, and put it to work, wiping or scrubbing away any visible mould from the rubber.
• For those hard-to-reach spots within the rubber seal, enlist the help of a cotton swab soaked in white vinegar. Always make sure to give it a dip in vinegar before commencing the rubber cleaning mission.
• If mould and debris are putting up a stubborn fight in the seal’s folds, use your fingers to coax them out and let the cotton swab do its magic. Be ready to use several swabs if needed to get the job done.
• Remember, mould and debris can hide in various nooks and crannies, so be thorough.

The good thing about using vinegar is that it’s all natural. You don’t have to worry about toxic fumes or your family’s health. That being said, you can’t overuse this method. If you overuse it, vinegar may end up damaging your rubber seal in time.

Bleach and baking soda

I’m not a huge fan of using bleach, but sometimes, it’s a necessary evil.

Note: If you do choose to clean your washing machine’s rubber seal this way, bear in mind you should take some precautions. Always air out your home when using bleach. Never mix bleach and other cleaning products. Wearing gloves, glasses, and a mask is a good idea.

Now, here’s how to clean your washing machine’s door seal using bleach and baking soda:

• Sprinkle a generous cup of baking soda around the seal inside the drum of your washing machine.
• Fire up an empty washing cycle, opting for the 90°C setting for the best results. This will do wonders in cleaning both the rubber seal and the entire washing machine.
• In the detergent drawer, introduce one cup of bleach and another cup of baking soda.
• Once those cycles have wrapped up, whip up a mixture of warm water and a few drops of washing-up liquid. Use a clean cloth to give the rubber seal a good wipe-down.
• Don’t forget to give the nooks and crannies around and underneath the seal some attention; they deserve it.

To rinse away any lingering dirt particles from the rubber seal. Make use of the self-cleaning function if available, or kick off an empty cycle with warm or hot water to finish the job.

Preventing mould and keeping that rubber seal clean

To keep mould and mildew at bay on your washing machine’s rubber seal, here are the golden rules:

• After a laundry cycle, don’t forget to leave the washing machine door wide open.
• Make it a habit to remove your freshly laundered clothes promptly once the cycle has wrapped up.
• After every use, grab a clean cloth or towel and give the door, seal, and glass a good drying.
• Bear in mind, if you’re a fan of low-temperature washes or tend to go heavy on the detergent, mould and stubborn grime can take residence on your rubber seal. Washing at temperatures below 40°C might not do a thorough job rinsing detergent residue, leading to the buildup of mould, dirt, and grease on your gasket.

And remember, if, despite your valiant cleaning efforts, mould continues to be a stubborn guest, it might be time to replace the seal. Best leave this task to a seasoned washing machine repairs specialist, and you’ll have your appliance back to its prime in no time. As for cleaning, if you need us, we’re never more than a phone call away.

Author: Atanas Dzhingarov

Hi, I’m Atanas - brand consultant and writer. I’m helping Samyx Cleaning create the best cleaning company blog on the Internet. Join us on our journey and learn how to live a cleaner, healthier, happier life in the process.