As a washing machine repair specialist, I often get asked: How do you get mold off a rubber seal on a Bosch washing machine?
Apparently, many homeowners like you do not know how to clean mold from their washers.
So you are not alone if you are facing a mold issue with your Bosch washer.
Which brings me to what I want us to look at in this article: How to get mold off a rubber seal on a Bosch washing machine.
So below are the easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions I want you to follow if you want to get rid of the accumulated mold (it can make your washer quite smelly if ignored).
How do you get mold off a rubber seal on a Bosch washing machine?
Before I show you how to remove the mold, it is important I mention what causes the mold buildup.
Now, for the most part, the mold is due to condensation of moisture along the rubber seal(this creates a suitable damp environment for the mold to thrive).
Other than that, the mold might be due to detergent (and other additives) residue accumulating in/around the rubber seal.
This is more so if you are using too much detergent or the detergent you are using is not recommended by the manufacturer.
Remember a telltale symptom of mold buildup in your washer is the appliance emiting a horrible smell.
Now that we know what might be causing the mold to grow on your Bosch washer’s rubber seal, let us see how to remove the mold (step by step instructions).
How to get mold off a rubber seal on Bosch washing machines
Typically, there are several methods (and cleaning products) that you can use to get rid of the mold.
And for the most part, the route you will take will largely depend on the cleaning agent you have at home.
Keep in mind that some of the cleaning agents you can use include vinegar, baking soda, commercial mold removers, and more.
Warning: Avoid using concentrated bleach as it tends to make the rubber seal brittle since bleach is acidic.
Here are the actual instructions (based on what you’re using)
How do you get mold off a rubber seal on a Bosch washing machine: Method 1 -Use distilled white vinegar
Using distilled white vinegar if often the easiest and quickest solution.
You want to simply dip a rough piece of cloth (or a toothbrush) into the vinegar solution and use it to scrub the mold.
Then, once the seal is clean to your liking, use a soft cloth to wipe the seal till it’s dry.
How do you get mold off a rubber seal on a Bosch washing machine: Method 2- Try mold/mildew remover
Alternatively, you can spray a good mold/mildew remover on the mold and let it sit for approximately 30 minutes.
You then try to wipe it off.
Pro tip: If the mold does not come off within a single cleaning, just repeat the cleaning process till you are satisfied with the results.
Generally speaking, I often see guys use either vinegar or mold/mildew removers so I suggest you try one of them and see how it goes…I’m pretty sure you’ll love the results.
How to prevent mold from forming in Bosch washing machine rubber seal
Now that you have gotten rid of the mold, you don’t have to keep struggling with mould -and obviously cleaning it off is an extra maintenance chore.
So to prevent mold from forming on your Bosch washer rubber seal, do the following (there are a couple of easy steps you can take to prevent the mold from growing again).…
Leave your washer’s door open
This is what I often recommend my clients to do.
If you are probably wondering how this helps, here’s the thing: Leaving your washer’s door open (even by a few inches) will allow the inside of the washing machine to air out.
In other words, this will prevent moisture from accruing along the rubber seal hence the seals won’t be damp (don’t forget that dampness attracts mold like a moth to a flame).
Wipe the rubber seal after every cycle
Also, once you are done with your laundry, gently wipe the rubber seal using a soft damp cloth.
By doing so, you are wiping off any detergent that might have been trapped around the rubber seal during the wash cycle.
Besides: Be sure to wipe the seal’s underside as some detergent might have found its way there.
Once done, do not forget to leave the door open to let the rubber seal air dry.
Regularly run a self-cleaning cycle
Also potentially helpful is running a self-cleaning cycle once every month or after every 30 wash cycles.
For starters, this cycle is important because it removes any detergent residue that might be stuck underneath the rubber seal.
Now, in most Bosch washers, this cycle is called the Drum Clean program.
Pro tip: If your model lacks this program, you can simply run the Cottons cycle at 90⁰ C.
Use the recommended washing detergent
As I had said, using the wrong detergent might result in detergent residuals forming around the seal.
And it is these residuals that might be encouraging mold formation along the rubber seal of your washer.
So confirm that the detergent you are using is what Bosch recommends.
Normally, this will vary depending on the laundry you are using but you can always refer to Bosch’s detergent instructions to make sure that you are using the right detergent.
How do you get mold off a rubber seal on a Bosch washing machine – final words
There is a common misconception that the rubber seal normally gets thoroughly cleaned during every wash cycle hence that an additional manual cleaning of the seal is not necessary.
The truth is that this is not the case since the mold normally forms during periods in which the washer is not in use.
So please do not rely entirely on the Drum Clean and other wash cycles to prevent the formation of mold.
Instead, wipe the rubber seal (both inside and out) using a clean damp cloth and leave the door open for the drum to air out- Do this after every wash cycle.
If the mold on your washer looks extremely horrendous, the best remedy could be getting a Bosch washer rubber seal replacement.