Advice on mould on washing machine inner seal

drc

We live in a rented flat and have a washing machine provided as part of the rent. The washing machine has accumulated quite a bit of mould on the rubber seal over time. I have switched detergent from a liquid one to a powder that contains bleach on the advice of another 'DIY' website and always put the wash on at 70 or 90 degrees (also according to the website). The mould seems to be increasing though and although it doesn't seem to affect our clothes anymore (before they smelt a bit mouldy), I would like to try and reduce or eradicate it if possible.

Any advice would be appreciated.

shop-to-drop

Have you cleaned the seal with bleach? You can also run a boil wash with salt and bleach in an empty machine. I did this myself a while back. Think I may have used bicarb too?? You then run an empty machine with biological ariel, boil wash again to clean away all the bleach.

Keeping the door slightly open when not in use will help and running the machine on a boil wash once a month with biological powder detergent (apparantly Ariel is best) was also recommended to me.

adandem

Hi, this happened to our last washer, sadly the mould can stain the rubber and as the rubber is absorbent you probably won't get rid them all. Providing you have got rid of the surface mould it should be okay.

You do not need to run your wash at 70 or 90 degrees. I only wash at 30 or 40 degrees although I too have switched to powder as liquid can cause a build up of 'gunk'. The high temp. may also be helping the mould to grow.

I occasionally run my washer through on a hot wash with some soda crystals. If your clothes smell mouldy it may mean that your waste water outlet needs cleaning. You should also leave the door open when the washer isn't in use.

Poppycat

Dettox might shift it is stronger than bleach but be careful as the fumes can be nasty so keep door/window open

We always leave the washing machine door slightly open so as to avoid this problem

Pennylane

When you've finished a wash, always soak up the water left in the seal and wipe the rubber dry. Takes seconds. Leave door ajar as others have said.

A hot wash through with soda crystals every so often will help as well.

fizzlebottom

Interesting one this. I have had five washing machines over the years and my present one (a hotpoint) is the only one which has every grown mould on the rubber seal. I wonder if they are using a different type of rubber or is it the washing powders? I don't think I am doing anything different and have been in present house for 20 years and three washing machines. Hum .....