How to Remove Mold From a Washing Machine Door Seal

Washing MachineModerate⏱ 45 minutes - 1 hour

Инструкция на английском (оригинал iFixit). Непонятные термины — в разделе «Основы → Словарь».

If the front door seal is black, smelly, or slimy, mold and detergent buildup are often trapped in the folds of the door boot seal (also called the door gasket). This guide shows how to scrub away the buildup, then use stronger chlorine-based cleaners to lift stubborn mold, followed by a cleaning cycle to flush leftover chemicals out of the washer.

🧰 Tools

Nitrile Gloves
Safety Glasses
Cleaning Spray
Scrub Brush
Rags
Bucket
Low splash bleach
Pool shock

ШагиSteps

Prepare for chemical cleaning

Work in a well-ventilated area and keep kids and pets away from the washer.
WARNING: Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses because chlorine cleaners can burn skin and seriously injure eyes.
WARNING: Don’t mix bleach or pool shock with other cleaners, especially ammonia, vinegar, or acids, because toxic gas can form.

Physically remove gunk from the seal

Put on rubber gloves.
Spray the door boot seal with an antiviral and antibacterial cleaning spray.
Use a plastic scrub brush to scrub the folds of the seal and strip away gunk that can bring odors and mold back.
Scrub deep into the folds of the seal to reach trapped buildup.

Clean the door glass and coin trap area

Wipe the lower edge of the door glass where grime often collects.
Scrub and wipe the bottom area of the seal where the coin trap pocket can catch lint, soap, and debris.
Focus on mold, mildew, and heavy buildup rather than making the glass perfect.

Apply bleach to the seal

Pour a small amount of low-splash bleach onto the door boot seal.
Rub the bleach into the seal with a gloved hand to soak the entire seal, especially the darkest moldy areas.
Avoid spraying bleach around the washer because overspray can attack metal parts.
Pull back the folds as you work and remove any trapped lint you find in the seal.

Work pool shock into moldy areas

Sprinkle small amounts of granular pool shock onto moldy areas of the bleached seal.
Rub the granules into the seal so the bleach acts as a binder that holds the granules on the rubber.
Use a small amount overall because a couple handfuls can be enough for the whole seal.
WARNING: Keep pool shock off painted and metal surfaces because concentrated chlorine can cause corrosion and damage.

Wipe any chemical off the washer exterior

Wipe down any areas outside the seal that may have contacted pool shock or bleach, especially metal surfaces.
Use a damp rag to remove residue rather than spreading it around.

Let the chemicals sit briefly

Let the pool shock sit on the bleached seal for about 10 to 20 minutes.
Don’t let it sit for a long period of time or overnight.
Anything past about 30 minutes can fade the seal, turn it white, and increase the risk of rust on metal parts.

Remove most granules before running the washer

Use a bucket of water and a rag to wipe most of the pool shock granules off the seal.
Collect removed granules into a plastic bag for disposal.
Wipe the seal to spread what remains, but don’t try to remove every single granule.
Pour the bucket of rinse water into the washer drum to help flush residue into the cleaning cycle.

Run a tub cleaning cycle

Set the washer to a tub cleaning cycle and let it run through the entire cycle.
A sanitize cycle can work, but use the washer’s dedicated tub cleaning mode if available.

Avoid hot water and steam exposure

WARNING: Don’t pause the cycle and open the door unless you must because the water can be extremely hot and steamy during the chemical reaction.

Remove leftover crystals

Inspect the seal area and the tub for leftover pool shock crystals after the cycle finishes.
Physically remove any remaining crystals and seal them in a plastic bag for disposal, or run an additional short cleaning cycle to wash them out.
Leaving granules behind can bleach clothing during future washes.

Optional off-machine soaking method

Remove the door boot seal if you prefer not to use strong chemicals on the installed washer.
Place the seal in a plastic tub and add enough water to fully cover it.
Add pool shock, stir with a rod for about 30 minutes, and then discard the shock water.
Rinse the seal thoroughly with water before reinstalling it.
Door boot seal removal and installation vary by model.

Prevent mold from returning

Leave the washer door slightly open after each use so the seal can dry.
Wipe the bottom of the seal, especially around the coin trap pocket, to remove trapped water and debris.

Rinse away any remaining cleaner residue and confirm the seal is clean before returning the washer to service. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

«How to Remove Mold From a Washing Machine Door Seal» — автор Ben Schlichter, iFixit, лицензия CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Показано без изменений. Открыть оригинал и комментарии →