how to clean mildewy rim on washing machine seal?

debtfreein4years

thank you but i already leave the door open and that doesnt seem to help wiht the mould. not sure if its something im washing with or if its something that the previous tennents used that has caused the problem.

geordie_joe

This happens to my machine.

I cleaned it with Stardrops, which got about half of it off. I started adding vinegar to the was and that had got rid of most of the rest.

Some things I have heard, but either not tried at all or only tried once or twice so can't say if it works. The last one I can recommend.

Once a month put the machine on a hot wash with no washing in it, just powder.

Alternate between powder and liquid as one counter acts the other.

Clean the seal after every wash and leave the door open to allow it to dry. I think you are meant to do this from the day you get your machine, it's too late once the seal is covered in gunk and mould.

The mould is actually growing on gunk that is left behind by the soap powder, so use as little as possible (I do that) and if your clothes aren't stained don't use any powder. This goes for fabric conditioner too, don't use it at all (I do, or should that be don't? this too).

debtfreein4years

thank you for those tips. it seems like im to late then with the leaving the door open as the seal was black when i moved in. will try stardrops and see if that can shift some of it off.

i already alternate between liquid and powder and have a slight obsession with cleaning the drawer as i hate the sludgy gunk that gets to build up. not tried vinegar but i will give that a go, dont use fabric conditioner daily as i think its a waste of money but will admit to using it on a couple of snuggly jumpers that i have.

katholicos

My washer drawer has mold on/in, and it is really difficult to clean. I tried pulling the drawer out and giving it a good scrub with stardrops and a scourer, then i tried soda crystals but that didn't do much either. It's yucky so any tips on that would be more than welcome. Thanks!

Fire_Fox

katholicos wrote: »

My washer drawer has mold on/in, and it is really difficult to clean. I tried pulling the drawer out and giving it a good scrub with stardrops and a scourer, then i tried soda crystals but that didn't do much either. It's yucky so any tips on that would be more than welcome. Thanks!

I had the same problem, also black mould in the space that is left when the drawer is pulled out, and all around the door seal. I scrubbed out everything I could reach, sprayed all the nooks and crannies with Dettox mould and mildew remover and left it to soak. Also ran an empty wash with washing machine descaler in (?citric acid powder). Now I leave the door open after every wash and clean the drawer and space behind it out regularly and no mould for a while.

katholicos

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I had the same problem, also black mould in the space that is left when the drawer is pulled out, and all around the door seal. I scrubbed out everything I could reach, sprayed all the nooks and crannies with Dettox mould and mildew remover and left it to soak. Also ran an empty wash with washing machine descaler in (?citric acid powder). Now I leave the door open after every wash and clean the drawer and space behind it out regularly and no mould for a while.

I'm pleased you found something that works, i'll have to give Dettox mould and mildew remover a go. Thanks for letting me know about it, much appreciated Fire Fox :A

basmic

Have you tried running the machine on a maintenance wash?

Put the following in the detergent drawer, and run the hottest (95c usually) cottons wash on your machine with extra rinse and stains/power wash if available:
- Your usual dose of biological soap powder or tablets - not liquid! It has to be a non-colours powder and biological - ie: standard powder, which contains bleaching agents.
- A dash of bleach.
- Approx 100g of soda crystals.
- Cup of white/distilled vinegar, but add this while the machine is filling up.
- A decent dash of vinegar where you usually put the fabric conditioner.

Once the machine has ran a cycle of these on a thorough wash, it should help clear some of the marks you described, if not give the machine a thorough clean!

Liquid detergent doesn't contain bleach, and can make your door seal look dingy! Although I sometimes use liquid myself, I still run the above maintenance wash once every couple of months.

You might find that you need to run the above maintenance wash again, but it won't do any harm.

Lisey_Loo

crawley_girl wrote: »

Ditto - will be interested in hear what others do

Ditto ditto.

I never shut the door but it still gets that awful mould. I too wash the drawer out...

Fire_Fox

If you just wash out the drawer you will get rid of the old powder and the worst of the mould, but won't kill the remaining fungal spores. Any that are left will be flushed around the machine and given a new food supply every time you do a load of laundry. I believe bleach will eventually rot the rubber seals so it's not to be overused.

Hawthorn

I had this a few years back, and eventually gave up and replaced the seal. The repair man that came to do it, said it was caused by liquid detergents. They cause all sorts of problems, including rotting metals that are in contact with them during the wash/drain cycle.
I've had no such problems since using powder.