How to remove mold from the rubber seal on the washing machine – 7 Fast & Easy Solutions

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Did you spot mold in the machine seal of your laundry machine? The annoying black stains are not only unsightly to look at but can also cause foul-smelling laundry. So it’s even more important to get rid of them as fast as possible.

That’s why in this article, you’ll find seven ways how to remove rubber mold from the rubber seal on the washing machine. These seven options are home remedies and standards to be able to clean mold from the front load washer gasket without leaving mold or stains in the rubber door seal of your machine.

How to remove mold from the rubber seal on the washing machine fast and simple

clean front loader washing machine

To remove mold from the machine seal, you do not need any magic power or magical solution. It’s enough to use simple home remedies that you probably already have at home.

Option 1: Citric Acid

Citric acid to clean off mold from washing machine rubber seal

One of the best solutions to remove mold from the washing machine seal is citric acid. Unlike conventional cleaners and other options, citric acid doesn’t affect the washing machine’s rubber as much since it’s not so strong. In addition, it provides a fresh smell to your washing machine.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Fill a small container with water
  • Step 2: Add a dash of lemon (or citric acid powder. e.g. this one)
  • Step 3: Dip a sponge or cloth in the citric acid mixture and carefully clean the washing machine rubber with it (use an old toothbrush for stubborn stains)
  • Step 4: Rinse with clean water

Option 2: Natron

Natron, cleaning off mold from washing machine with baking soda

Another option to clean the rubber seal on the washing machine is natron or baking soda.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Fill a small container with a little water.
  • Step 2: Add baking soda or natron and mix well until a paste is formed.
  • Step 3: Dip a sponge or cloth in the sodium bicarbonate solution and carefully clean the washing machine rubber with it (use an old toothbrush for stubborn stains).
  • Step 4: Rinse with clean water

Option 3: Vinegar

Vinegar, How to clean mold from front load washer gasket

If the mold has been around a bit longer and you’re looking for a stronger solution to the mold in your washing machine, a vinegar solution might be the answer.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Fill a small container with water
  • Step 2: Add a dash of vinegar
  • Step 3: Dip a sponge or cloth into the vinegar mixture and carefully clean the washing machine rubber with it (use an old toothbrush for stubborn stains).
  • Step 4: Wipe with clean water.

Option 4: Chlorine Cleaner

If the entire washing machine is already affected or the laundry smells musty, a stronger option like chlorine cleaner is needed. However, since this option can damage the rubber seal due to its strength, I recommend you first try other ways for fragrant laundry.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Mix chlorine cleaner (e.g., this one) with water in a 50/50 ratio.
  • Step 2: Put on rubber gloves to protect your skin.
  • Step 3: Dip a cloth in chlorine cleaner mixture and clean the rubber with it – for stubborn stains, you can also use an old toothbrush
  • Step 4: Rinse thoroughly with clean water

Option 5: Toothpaste

Toothpaste to clean washing machine

Probably the most surprising home remedy on our list is toothpaste. Toothpaste helps brush the rubber back to shininess without weighing it down.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Put toothpaste on an old toothbrush, cloth, or sponge.
  • Step 2: Clean rubber well with it
  • Step 3: Wash thoroughly with clean water to avoid stains on laundry (toothpaste can have a bleaching effect on clothing)

Option 6: Dishwashing Detergent

If the rubber seal on your washing machine is only slightly contaminated, dishwashing liquid may be the perfect solution for you. It is milder than many of the other variants and therefore does not attack the rubber. Thus, dishwashing liquid is suitable as a regular cleaning agent for the washing machine rubber.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Put detergent together with a little water on a rag or sponge
  • Step 2: Clean rubber well with it
  • Step 3: Then rinse with clean water

Option 7: Conventional Kitchen Cleaner

using conventional kitchen cleaner to remove mold from washing machine rubber seal

Of course, if you don’t want to rely on home remedies or strong chlorine cleaners, you can also use a regular kitchen cleaner to clean mold from your front load washer.

And That’s how it works

  • Step 1: Pour cleaner together with some water on a cloth or sponge or spray directly into the rubber seal.
  • Step 2: Clean rubber well with it
  • Step 3: Wipe off with clean water

How does mold form on the rubber of the washing machine?

In general, it is usually quite hot and humid inside your washing machine. Unfortunately, this is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. After each wash cycle, more bacteria are released from the dirt and grease of your clothes into the rubber ring of your washing machine door by the hair, lint, and other accumulations from your laundry.

Thus, if this bacterial paradise is not cleaned quickly enough, mold can form easily.

How to prevent mold from forming on the rubber seal on the washing machine?

How to clean mold off washing machine seal

The best way to get rid of mold in the rubber ring of the washing machine is, of course, not to let it develop in the first place. To avoid washing machine mold in the future, the following tips might be helpful to you.

Keeping the washing machine interior clean

To prevent the formation of mold in the washing machine rubber, you should pay good attention to the general cleanliness of your washing machine. The interior of the washing machine must be kept clean.

This is because unwanted bacteria from the washing machine’s interior easily settle on the rubber cover and can cause mold growth there. For this reason, you should regularly clean the inside of your washing machine (including the washing machine door from the inside).

Leaving the washing machine door open after every use

The moisture inside your washing machine is an important factor in the formation of mold. Therefore, after washing your clothes, it is important to leave the washing machine’s door open for some time.

This allows the warm moist air to escape from the washing machine and dry the inside. This process helps prevent not only mold but also unpleasant-smelling laundry.

Extra tip: If you want to dry your laundry indoors, you should also make sure to air the room out regularly to avoid waterlogging in the interior of your living space and the washing machine.

Remove sediments such as lint after washing

Unfortunately, lint, fabric remnants, and other remnants of your laundry are all too likely to get stuck in the rubber cover of the door during washing. If you remove these regularly after the wash cycle, you can prevent foul-smelling bacteria from accumulating and multiplying underneath.

Clean the lint filter and detergent compartment as well

Washing residues and bacteria can accumulate not only inside your washing machine but also in the lint filter and detergent compartment. These can get into the laundry drum during the washing process and accumulate there. It can be quite annoying to remove laundry detergent stains from your clothes after washing. Therefore, it’s all the more important to clean this part of your machine properly.

To avoid bacteria in your entire washing machine, you should also regularly clean the detergent compartment and the lint filter. The latter is located at the bottom right of most washing machine models.

Regularly decalcifying your washing machine

Anyone living in regions with calciferous water should make sure to decalcify their machine regularly. Not only will this help to extend the general service life of your washing machine, but it will also reduce energy consumption during washing.

Moreover, it also noticeably reduces the occurrence of bacteria by reducing limescale deposits in your washing machine. To decalcify your washing machine, you can either use regular decalcifiers such as this one or switch to home remedies such as citric acid solution.

Using washing machine regularly on high temperatures

Another trick to fight bacteria inside your washing machine is to regularly use your machine at high temperatures. Use a wash cycle with hot water (>60°C/130°F) or boil wash at least once a month.


how to remove mold from your washing machine
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