How to clean your washing machine door seal (and stop the smell)

That grey-black speckling along the rubber door seal, and the musty smell that comes with it, is one of the things people ask our engineers about most. Nearly always it's a clean, not a repair. Here's how to do it properly, and how to tell when the seal has gone too far to save.

Why the seal goes mouldy

Modern machines run cool. A 20 or 30 degree wash is easy on the bill but never gets hot enough to kill the mould and bacteria that live on detergent residue and damp. That gunk collects in the folds of the door seal, where a little water always sits after a cycle. Shut the door between washes and you've given it somewhere warm, damp and dark to grow.

How to clean it

Switch the machine off at the wall first. Then peel back the rubber lip that curls in at the bottom of the seal. That's where the standing water, the fluff and the odd sock end up, and where most of the smell lives.

Wipe it out with a cloth and warm soapy water, or a half-and-half white vinegar mix. For heavier staining, a paste of bicarbonate of soda left on for ten minutes lifts it. Don't reach for neat bleach as a routine, because it perishes the rubber over time.

Do the detergent drawer and the filter while you're at it, since they hold the same gunk and feed the smell straight back. Cleaning the filter often makes a big difference on its own.

Finish with an empty hot wash, the hottest cotton cycle with a cup of white vinegar or a washing machine cleaner, and run one once a month from now on. Leave the door ajar between washes so the drum and seal can dry. That one habit does more than anything else.

When the seal needs replacing

If the marks won't shift, or the rubber is cracked, sticky or split, cleaning won't save it. A perished seal is also a common cause of leaks. The door seal is the single part our engineers replace most on washing machines, so it's a routine job. A replacement usually falls in the £80 to £150 band, with the part quoted separately and the price confirmed before any work starts.

Book a washing machine repair

If the seal is split or leaking, or the smell won't go however hard you clean, we can replace it. Book a washing machine repair or find your local washing machine engineer to check we cover your postcode.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my washing machine door seal go black?

Mould feeding on detergent residue in the damp folds of the seal. Cool washes never get hot enough to kill it, and a closed door keeps it warm and damp between cycles.

Can I replace a door seal myself?

It's possible on some machines but fiddly. The seal is held on by two tension bands, one of them tucked behind the door frame, and it has to seat perfectly or it leaks. Most people are better off having an engineer fit it, since a poor fit causes the very leak you were trying to stop.

How do I stop my washing machine smelling?

Clean the seal, drawer and filter, run a hot wash once a month, ease off the detergent, and leave the door ajar between washes. Our guide on why a washing machine smells goes into it.

How much does a new door seal cost?

The repair usually falls in the £80 to £150 band, with the part quoted separately and confirmed before work begins.