Black mould in washing machine seal (Meaning and how you can get rid of that annoying and potentially damaging black stuff)
Here is the sad truth: The rubber seal on your washer (the rubbery-plastic piece just inside the door of washer) is one of the most problematic parts in washers these days…
You see, it usually gets torn at some point , meaning you’ll incur a cost to replace it (every now and then).
Also, the door gasket Seal Bellow can become loose (meaning there’s no longer a good seal), making your front loading washer leak from the bottom.
And if it’s not that, it will likely become mold-ridden over time (and that might make your washer smell terribly).
In short, the washing machine seal can be a numbing headache for you during the lifetime of your appliance.
I suspect it’s because of the poor design (they all appear to be designed poorly, in my opinion- I really do not understand why different manufacturers can’t seem to get the boot seal’s engineering right).
Now, I want us to look at what the black gunk in washing machine seal means (including whether it’s dangerous) and how you can get rid of it (Hint: It’s never a good sign!).
That is because it’s becoming pretty common with regard to the part…
So read on if you have noticed black mould in washing machine seal
Black mould in washing machine seal – What it means
Traditionally, the mold simply forms due to moisture (or other residues, including detergent residuals and other additives) getting trapped in dark places.
So it is not just the seal that can have mould and mildew- it can form anywhere else hidden in the washer.
Is it harmless?
Surely not- as I had mentioned, mold buildup(even a few mould stains) on the seal can be horrible..from your washer smelling awfully to water leaking out the bottom of the door (the seal can get ripped at some point), a mouldy gasket is, in general, bad news.
In fact, you might ultimately have to replace the part- and washing machine door seals do not, for the most part, come cheap.
In other words, it is important you clean out the visible black mould in your washing machine seal urgently.
With that in mind, below is how to clean rubber seal on washing machine
How to remove mold from rubber seal on washing machine
Now that you understand that the black mold can be the beginning of a ton of problems for your washer, you definitely want to know how you can quickly remove it.
Here are my cleaning tips:
How to clean front loader washing machine rubber seal
Use distilled white vinegar
This is what I often use for my clients..
All you have to do is simply scrub the part with an old towel (a rough one that’s dipped into a white vinegar solution) or even an old toothbrush.
You can then use a clean microfiber cloth (that is dry) to completely dry the area around the seal.
Try mould/mildew remover
Another option is spraying a good mould/mildew remover on thick black stain then letting it sit for about 30 (or so) minutes.
You then try to wipe it off.
If it’s not totally gone the first time, repeat the process until you’re satisfied.
Pro Tip: Avoid using concentrated bleach (I keep seeing folks recommend it) as it tends to make the rubber (the seal is obviously made of rubber) brittle once you use it repeatedly (bleach is acidic).
How to prevent mold in washing machine
Leave your washer’s door open
The best way to prevent the black mold (and mildew) in your washing machine is to always leave your washer’s door a bit open after a laundry cycle (at least).
So, how does this help?
You see, once you leave your washer’s door open (not fully but enough to allow air in), the inside of the washer will eventually dry out completely, thanks to the improved ventilation..
Remember mould loves damp spots so it won’t build up if your seal is always dry.
Run self-cleaning cycle on your washer as per the manufacturer’s recommendations
If your front-loading washer features a self-cleaning cycle, then it will come in very handy when it comes to preventing mold in washing machine.
To be clear, the self-cleaning cycle uses super high heat to clean your washer’s interior -it thoroughly cleans all spots where moisture and washing detergent residue can accumulate including on the door seal.
Just know that Self-Clean time typically varies from washer model to model.
That said, it runs for approximately 4 hours for most front load washing machines and 1 hour for many top load washers.
See your many for full instructions on how to run a self-clean cycle on your specific washer (and how frequently you should do it).
Wipe the seal immediately after use
Also potentially helpful is wiping the seal dry (wipe it down- and the door too) every time you have finished laundry for the day.
It keeps the moisture/residuals off the seal.
Use recommended washing detergent
The reason why the soap residuals that end up encouraging mold formation is , on occasion, use of bad detergents for your laundry.
So check what washing soap your manufacturer recommends and move to it- you may never get the problem again.
Black mould in washing machine seal – final words
The best way to be sure of how to remove black mould in washing machine seal is by checking your washer’s owners manual (you can search for it online if you can’t remember where you kept it).
The manufacturer will clearly tell you what to use (and the method) in the manual (whether its white vinegar, diluted bleach, bicarbonate of soda, baking soda, mild chlorine solution, washing machine mould cleaner, or what.
Remember that if the mould looks extremely horrendous, the best remedy could be replacing the rubber door seal entirely.
Please do not forget to open your washer’s door(when you’re not using it).