Domakihub How to Clean a Washing Machine Seal (and Keep It Mould-Free)
Remove black mould and bad smells from your door gasket in under 30 minutes.
Reviewed by Domakihub cleaning pros · 2026-06-23 · 4 min read
The rubber door seal on a front-loading washing machine is one of the most neglected spots in any home, holiday rental, or hotel laundry room — and in Greece's warm, humid climate it can turn black with mould surprisingly fast. The video above walks you through the cleaning process visually; this article breaks it down into clear, numbered steps you can follow even if you have never done it before. Ten minutes of effort every month is all it takes to keep the gasket fresh and your laundry smelling clean.
Why the Seal Gets So Dirty
Front-loading washers trap water in the folds of the rubber gasket after every cycle. Soap residue, lint, hair, and skin cells collect in those folds and, combined with warmth and trapped moisture, create the perfect environment for mould and mildew to take hold. In Greek summer conditions — high ambient temperatures and salt-laden coastal air — this process accelerates even further.
Left uncleaned, a dirty seal transfers musty smells onto freshly washed laundry and can degrade the rubber itself over time, eventually requiring an expensive replacement. Catching the problem early with a regular wipe-down is far cheaper than a service call.
What You Will Need
You do not need specialist products. White vinegar, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda), a mild bleach solution (or a commercial mould spray as an alternative), warm water, an old toothbrush, and a few microfibre cloths are everything required for the job. If you prefer to avoid bleach — for instance in a property where guests have sensitivities — a paste of baking soda and water followed by a vinegar rinse works nearly as well on light mould growth.
Always wear rubber gloves and ensure the room is ventilated before using any bleach-based product.
How to Clean Your Washing Machine Seal: 5 Steps
- 1
Pull back the gasket and remove debris
Open the door wide, grip the outer lip of the rubber seal, and fold it back so the inner pocket is exposed. Use a dry cloth or paper towel to remove any loose lint, hair, or standing water from inside the fold. Discard the waste in a bin — do not rinse it down the drain, as it can contribute to blockages.
- 2
Apply your cleaning solution
For mild residue, spray undiluted white vinegar directly onto a microfibre cloth and wipe all surfaces of the gasket, including the inner fold. For visible black mould spots, mix one tablespoon of bicarbonate of soda with enough water to form a thick paste, apply it to the affected areas with an old toothbrush, then spray lightly with white vinegar to activate a gentle fizzing action. For heavy mould, apply a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to four parts water) with a cloth, or use a proprietary mould and mildew spray according to the product instructions.
- 3
Scrub the mould thoroughly
Work the toothbrush into every crease and fold of the gasket, paying particular attention to the bottom section where water and residue pool most heavily. Use circular scrubbing motions and reload the brush with cleaning solution as needed. Continue until the rubber surface looks uniformly clean with no dark patches remaining.
- 4
Wipe clean and inspect
Dampen a fresh microfibre cloth with plain warm water and wipe away all cleaning solution residue from the gasket. Fold back the seal again and check the inner pocket a second time — mould hides in the deepest folds and is easy to miss on the first pass. Repeat the scrubbing step on any spots you find.
- 5
Run a hot maintenance wash
With the drum empty, select the hottest cycle your machine offers (60 °C or 90 °C if available) and add two tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda directly to the drum or a proprietary drum-cleaning tablet to the detergent drawer. This flushes cleaning solution residue out of the drum and pipe work, eliminates lingering odours, and kills bacteria that the seal clean may have dislodged into the water. After the cycle finishes, leave the door ajar for at least two hours so moisture can escape.
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FAQ
- How often should I clean the washing machine seal?
- Once a month is the standard recommendation for a busy household. In a holiday rental or hotel that runs multiple loads per day, a weekly wipe-down of the gasket and a monthly hot maintenance wash will keep mould from taking hold. In Greece, where warm temperatures accelerate mould growth, erring toward more frequent cleaning pays off.
- Can I use bleach on the rubber seal without damaging it?
- A diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to four parts water) used occasionally is safe for most modern rubber gaskets and is the most effective option against heavy black mould. Avoid applying neat, undiluted bleach directly to the rubber, and always rinse thoroughly afterwards. If you clean frequently, white vinegar and baking soda are gentler long-term options that are kinder to the seal material.
- Why does my washing machine still smell after cleaning the seal?
- The smell usually comes from a combination of sources: biofilm in the drum, residue in the detergent drawer, and build-up in the drain filter. After cleaning the seal, also remove and rinse the detergent drawer, unscrew the drain filter (usually behind a small panel at the front bottom of the machine) and clear any trapped debris, then run a 90 °C empty wash with a drum cleaner. If the smell persists, the pump or internal pipes may need professional descaling.