You are about to put your clothes in the washing machine as usual. But this time, you have found the rubber seal of the washing machine smeared with black mold. It is a typical problem as washing machines come into contact with water and detergent. Now, you are thinking about how to remove mold from rubber seal on washing machine.
Mold on the rubber seal of a washing machine can be pretty stubborn. It will take time and effort to remove the mold. You have to use store-bought or homemade cleaning solutions to get rid of mold and odor quickly.
In this article, I will tell you how to remove mold from the rubber seal of a washing machine and give you tips to keep it clean. It is extremely important to remove black mold as soon as possible. You should not postpone the cleaning.
Why Is It Important To Clean Mold From Washing Machines?
Mold grows inside and around the rubber seal of a front-loading washing machine because of negligence and lack of cleaning. Moisture and detergent residues build up and eventually cause black mold.
You may ignore the black mold, giving different excuses like you do not have the time to deal with it or you do not know how to clean it. Eventually, your washing machine will give off an unpleasant smell. When you remove your freshly washed clothes from the washing machine, they will almost certainly come into contact with the mold.
Also, mold around the rubber seal may indicate mold inside the washing machine. Hence, you should take immediate action to clean your washing machine. `
How To Remove Mold From Rubber Seal On Washing Machine
Your washing machine cleans your dirty clothes, but you have to keep your washing machine clean in return. However, the constant exposure to moisture may cause it to get moldy. To get rid of the mold, you need an effective cleaning solution.
Making Cleaning Solutions
You can buy mold cleaning solutions for your washing machine from a store. If you cannot get cleaning solutions, you can always make homemade solutions. They work perfectly well on the mold.
You can make many DIY solutions. Depending on the mold density, you may use mild or strong cleaning solutions. Here are a few solutions you can try:
- Hydrogen peroxide mix solution: Mix ½ cup hydrogen peroxide, ¼ cup lemon juice, and 2 cups of water. Hydrogen peroxide removes the mold, and lemon gets rid of the odor.
- Vinegar Solution: No hydrogen peroxide at hand? Then use 1/2 cup of white vinegar instead. It will also do the cleaning. You can also create a solution of vinegar and water. Take 1 cup of vinegar and mix it with 4 cups of water.
- Bleach: Bleach is also effective against mold. Add 1-part bleach to 4 parts water. Bleach is a strong cleaning substance. It will remove the mold and prevent it from growing back again for a while.
First, you can make a small amount of each solution and apply it to the mold areas to check which solution works better. When you find the perfect solution for your problem, make enough of it to clean the rubber seal, dispenser, drum, and hose of the washing machine.
Steps To Clean The Mold
- The solutions contain harmful chemicals, and the mold contains bacteria. Inhaling either of them can cause serious health problems. So, wear rubber hand gloves and a face mask to protect yourself from the toxic elements.
- Take a spray bottle and add your preferred solution to it. Then spray the cleaning solution on the mold of the rubber seal. Cover the mold area completely with the cleaning solution. Let the solution sit for a while.
- After that, take a towel or cloth to wipe off the solution and mold from the rubber gasket. Some molds can grow thick and are hard to remove. Apply some more cleaning solution over them and wait for a few minutes. Then rub them again.
- Make sure to clean the surrounding area of the rubber gasket as well. You may not be able to reach all the nooks and corners with a cloth. So, use an old toothbrush to reach the corners and rub the mold off.
Clean The Dispenser
Since you are already cleaning the washing machine, you should also clean the detergent dispenser.This part of the washing machine also gets affected by mold as moisture and residues of dirt build inside.
If the dispenser is removable, take it out of the washing machine and scrub it well. If it does not come out, use cleaning solutions and water pipes to reach it inside the machine.
After Cleaning
Cleaning only the rubber gasket of your washing machine may not be enough. Mold and dirt can also build on the drum and hose of the washing machine. Thus, cleaning them is equally important.
To clean these parts, you should run an empty run cycle on a hot water setting. Add the cleaning solution to the water to clean the insides of the machine thoroughly.
After the washing cycle, your washing machine should be clean and free of mold. If you still see some mold on the rubber seal and get an unpleasant smell, repeat the cleaning process.
If the smell persists, the problem might not be the rubber seal. It can come from the drum of the washing machine. In this case, hire professionals to clean the washing machine. They know how to disassemble the wash and put it back together again.
7 Tips To Keep Your Washing Machine Rubber Seal Mold Free
Learning to remove the mold is not enough to stop it from growing back. You must take proper care of your washing machine to prevent mold growth problems. So, it is necessary to identify the reasons that cause such issues.
Here are some more tips and advice to keep your washing machine rubber seal free of mold:
- Clean your washing machine at least once a month. If you use it regularly, clean it at least twice a month. Irregular cleaning builds dirt and grime inside the machine and rubber seals, which starts mold growth.
- Drying the rubber seal quickly is important to keep it mold-free. After washing, remove the wet clothes instantly. Then wipe the extra moisture from the rubber seal. Keeping wet clothes inside for a long time will keep the rubber seal wet for a long time, which causes mold.
- Leave the washing machine door open for a while to dry the rubber seal and the inside of the washing machine. Mold cannot grow in a dry space. So, keep the door open until the machine is fully dry.
- High humidity in the room where you place your washing machine can cause mold on the rubber gasket. Use a dehumidifier to control the humidity level in the room.
- Some detergents promote mold growth. This happens when you use the wrong detergent in your washing machine. Your washer may be a high-efficiency (HE) washer, so you have to use high-efficiency detergent. Non-efficient detergents leave residues that cause mold. Also, use the right amount of detergent.
- Fabric softeners should not be used inside a washing machine. They promote mold growth on the rubber gasket.
- Clean the door glass and rubber seal regularly with a disinfectant.
By now, you must have learned how to remove mold from rubber seal on washing machine. Keeping your washing machine clean is essential to prevent mold and bad odors. However, mold can still eventually grow. Now that you know how to get rid of them, apply the mentioned methods to have a sparkly clean washing machine. Thanks for stopping by!
