How do i clean the rubber seal on my front load washer

It’s no surprise why front load washing machines have become so popular. They are energy efficient, use less water, and overall easier to load. However, without proper cleaning and care, you’ll notice it start to smell bad. Here, we’ll go over how to clean a front load washer.

Your Guide on How to Clean a Front Load Washer

Regular maintenance is a must to avoid front load washer problems. Follow this guide to find out why your washer smells bad, how to clean it, and how to prevent bad odors.

Why Does My Washing Machine Smell Bad?

Front load washers are made to be more efficient than top load washers in nearly every way. The only issue is, you’re probably used to using the large amounts of detergent top load washing machines require.

Because front load washers use less water, they can’t rinse out the excess detergent and fabric softeners. Consequently, the extra soap residue builds up within your washer, creating a warm, moist environment that is a magnet for mold, mildew, and bacteria.

Now that you know why your washer smells bad, you’re probably itching to know how to clean a front load washer.

How to Clean Washing Machine Tub

The first step to eliminating front load washer mold is to clean the tub. Follow these six steps:

  1. Sprinkle 1/3 cup of baking soda inside the tub.
  2. Pour two cups of white distilled vinegar into the detergent tray.
  3. Run a high temperature cycle.
  4. If your washer smells like mildew, run another cycle using only two cups of bleach in the detergent tray.
  5. Remove the detergent tray and clean it with an all-purpose cleaner.
  6. Clean the exterior of you washer with an all-purpose cleaner.

How to Clean Mold in Front Load Washer Gasket

Next, you’ll need to know how to clean mold from front load washer gaskets. The gasket is the rubber seal that lines the opening of your washer tub.

It’s prone to retaining moisture, which means mold and mildew LOVE to reside there. Here’s how to clean the gasket:
1. Pull back on the rubber and remove any objects like coins, hair pins, or paper clips.
2. Remove dust, hair, and lint build up between the gasket folds.
3. Spray the gasket with warm, soapy water and wipe it down with a clean cloth.

How to Prevent Washer Odors

Now that your washing machine is clean, you’re in a good spot to keep it that way! You can prevent further mold and mildew problems with regular maintenance. Do this after each load of laundry:

  1. Remove washed clothes immediately
  2. Wipe down the inside of your washer door
  3. Wipe out the folds of the rubber gasket until it’s dry
  4. Leave the door open to allow the inside to dry
  5. Air out the detergent tray

Lastly, make sure you’re using the correct detergent. Most front load washers require HE (high-efficiency) approved detergents. Only use about two teaspoons of liquid detergent, or one pod.

If you follow this guide on how to clean a front load washer and prevent odors, your machine should stay fresh. However, if you’re noticing performance issues, call for washer repair today.

It's easy to forget to clean your washing machine door seal, and it's tricky to dislodge of all the dirt and grime when you don't know the best way to do it. 

Keep reading to find out the best methods for cleaning your washing machine door seal, and to discover the best cleaning products for the job. 

Why should I clean my washing machine rubber door seal? 

Since they use so much water, it's no surprise that the damp environment inside a washing machine can be a breeding ground for mould and bacteria without regular cleaning and maintenance. Cleaning the washing machine is a crucial step to incorporate into your house cleaning routine to keep your machine in tip top condition. 

It's important to thoroughly clean every component of your washing machine to prevent a build-up of dirt and grime forming- and that includes cleaning your washing machine rubber door seal. The rubber seal is often overlooked when cleaning the washing machine, but a door seal full of grime is less than hygienic, and can contribute to damp smells inside the machine.

How often should I clean my washing machine door seal? 

How often you should clean your washing machine door seal depends on how much you use your washing machine. It's easy to work out when your door seal is in need of a scrub- if you notice unpleasant smells coming from the inside of your washing machine, or if there are visible dark marks on your washing machine rubber door seal, then that is always a good indicator that it needs to be cleaned. 

What is the best way to clean my washing machine door seal? 

There is a simple method to clean washing machine door seals that will have your seal sparkling like new again in no time. 

Firstly, mix together a homemade cleaning solution of 1 cup bleach and 1 cup baking soda, and pour it into the detergent drawer. Then add an additional cup of baking soda into the washing machine drum, around the seal area.  

The next step is to run a number of wash cycles on your washing machine with the drum completely empty, using the homemade cleaning solution as a detergent, at a temperature of about 90 degrees.  

When the wash cycles have finished, mix a few drops of washing up liquids into warm water, and use a clean cloth to thoroughly wipe down your washing machine seal using the soapy solution, ensuring that you clean all around and underneath the seal too. 

And voila! Make sure to repeat this process whenever you clean your washing machine to keep your rubber door seal like brand new. 

How can I deep clean my washing machine door seal?

If you're looking for an even deeper clean for your washing machine rubber door seal, consider using professional cleaning products specially designed for keeping your seal in tip top condition. The Care+Protect washing machine cleaning products, such as the Descaling Kit For Washing Machines and Dishwashers, are specially formulated to remove grease, limescale, and washing residue from your washing machine with ease.

When it's time to replace your washing machine, check out the Hoover AXI Washing Machine to upgrade your laundry experience. Follow the link to find out all the features of the Hoover AXI Washing Machine, a household electrical product equipped with Artificial Intelligence, noise reduction settings, and a Hygiene+ function to kill bacteria and deep clean your laundry. 

How do you get mold off the rubber seal on a front load washer?

1) Using vinegar.
Put on gloves and goggles (THIS IS ARGUABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP OF ALL).
Put vinegar into a spray bottle..
Spray mold with the vinegar and let the vinegar sit for 2 to 4 hours..
After the time has elapsed, rinse the gasket with water..
Leave washer door open and let the rubber dry..

How do I get the black off the rubber seal in washing machine?

Mix a few drops of washing up liquid with some warm water and wipe down the seal with the mixture and a clean cloth. Make sure to get the inside and underneath of the seal too – the inside is notorious for collecting grime and bacteria and can block the door drainage holes.

How do you clean the seal on a front load washer door?

Open the washer door and peel back the gasket so the interior is visible. Remove any visible objects like hair, buttons, or coins. Spray hot, soapy water in the gasket and wipe with a clean cloth to remove mildew. Repeat as needed.

How do you clean a dirty rubber seal on a washing machine?

Basically, what you will need to do is use the white vinegar in conjunction with the cotton pad to clean around the seal and remove any of the dirt and grime. Once you are done, you run the washing machine on empty to remove any traces of vinegar before you start using clothes in the machine.