In my many years of repairing various washing machines and tumble dryers, it is only this last 4 or 5 years that I have noticed the door gaskets (The rubber seal round the door of washing machines) turning black. It is happening to detergent drawers too. It is becoming a big problem and if you don't know how to remove it. Then it will soon start to stain the clothes you are trying to wash, your washing machine will smell bad and it may well break down soon. Before I tell you how I remove the horrible black stains, lets look first at what may be the cause of them. When I started repairing washers and dryers over 30 years ago, it was fairly normal to be working on a machine that was already 20 years old and had plenty more use left in it. I don't see that any more these days, in my experience you are doing well if your machine lasts 5 years and I regularly see machines at 2 years old that are ready for the recycling heap.
And all those years ago, I never saw horrible black slime growing on door gaskets or in detergent drawers. So what has changed? Well, today's machines use much less water than the old ones. We also wash at very low temperatures day in and day out. I also think more of us use liquid detergent and we are being good consumers, using far too much of everything (Detergent and softener) The black stains on door gaskets and in detergent drawers are in my opinion, just a build up of fungus, mould and bacteria. It actually starts to grow into the rubber of the door gasket and even a good hard scrub wont shift it because it's actually growing into it.
When low temperatures are used all the time, then there is nothing to kill the bacteria. There is nothing in the detergent to kill it and the low wash temperatures actually encourage it to grow. To kill bacteria, mould and fungus you need heat or chemicals and we are not really using that any more. We are in fact giving the bacteria etc. Everything it needs to thrive.
Mild Heat. (That's the temperature we are all washing at these days)
Moisture (When your machine is not being used, it is a very moist place)
Lack of Light (Inside a Washing Machine is not the brightest place around)
So that's my opinion as to why we are having these problems now. In the UK I see that the Vanish company have brought out an in wash anti-bacterial additive, It's a good idea and it may help to stop this problem in future. What can be done to remove this black mould etc.? Scrubbing won't work, it will reduce it slightly, but you will be damaging the rubber, so don't do it. I have found that ordinary house hold bleach will remove it, but it needs to be left on for at least 12 hours. So just pouring it on the rubber is no good as it will run off and be wasted. Here is what I do.
Soak a dish cloth in bleach and lay it right on top of the door rubber, where the stains are worst. Tidy up the edges and smooth the cloth out so it is in direct contact with the stains. Then leave it over night or for at least 12 hours. This will kill the fungus and clean the rubber right up. If your dish cloth doesn't cover all of the stain, then treat each area separately over a couple of days until all the black stains are gone.
Before using your washing machine, set it on a rinse cycle, to wash the door gasket and wash away any traces of bleach left, before putting any laundry in to it. Now to clean out the Detergent drawer and holder (The place the detergent dispenser slides into). Different machines have different ways of removing the detergent drawer. If you are not sure how to do this, check the instructions for your machine. Or "Google" free instructions for your make and model of machine.
The same method for cleaning rubber door gaskets works for detergent drawers as well, except, do give the drawer a good scrub 1st (It's much stronger than a rubber gasket and will take no harm) Again make sure the cloth which is wet with bleach comes into direct contact with the stains. Just like the advice for cleaning a washing machine door gasket, leave for at least 12 hours and repeat if needed.
To clean the compartment that the drawer slides into (still with the drawer removed)
You will need a dish scrubber. You know the type, you see them in Supermarkets (plastic handle with a bristle head) You don't need a top of the line one, I find the budget ones are the best. Give the inside of the detergent compartment a good clean with a dish scrubber, dip it into some water and clean the compartment out 3 or 4 times. Caution. This next step can be hazardous so I won't tell you to do it. I will instead tell you what I do. If you want to do as I do, it's up to you. I Spray normal house hold bleach into the compartment and leave it for an hour or so.
I have not been able to find a good spray bleach, so I pour some regular house hold bleach into an old spray bottle. The type with a direct spray and not a mist type spray is best. I kneel in front of the machine and stay well back, holding the spray bottle at arms length. I always wear safety goggles (I don't want my eyes bleached) and just spray into the open detergent compartment, making sure to give the inside top part, a good covering. After about an hour, a good wipe out with a terry type towel brings the compartment up like new. Congratulations, you now have a washing machine which is nice and clean and won't be staining your laundry or smelling too bad.
Now to keep it that way. Turn up the temperature once a week.
Bed sheets and towels should be washed at 60 degrees. 15, 30 or 40 degrees is not killing germs (mould, dust mites etc.)
Wash these items once a week at 60 degrees. It will help to kill germs and it will keep your machine looking and smelling fresh. Low temperature washes may well use less electricity per wash, but if it means you are having to buy a new Washing Machine every 2 years. Are you really saving anything? Never mind the mould, fungus, bacteria and dust mites you haven't killed.
I suggest that you use 50% less detergent than is recommended on the packet. (A nice help to our Planet) and your pocket. I don't use fabric conditioner at all. Did you know that the more detergent you use, the more conditioner you need to use as well. It's the detergent and conditioner splashing up inside the detergent drawer, as it's being washed out, that causes the horrible black gunge in a detergent drawer. I don't use it at all. I use white vinegar instead. That's white, or clear (it looks just like water) and is often called "Distilled Vinegar" The vinegar goes into the compartment in the detergent drawer where the fabric conditioner would go. I just fill it up with vinegar.
No, my clothes don't smell of vinegar and I have one gleaming clean and fresh smelling washing machine (8 years old now). The vinegar is also de-scaling my washing machine and it's cheaper than buying de-scaling tablets in the Supermarket.
So to re-cap. When you have your Washing Machine all cleaned up. Keep it clean by doing at least one hot wash per week (60 degrees) Cut right down on the amount of detergents and fabric conditioner you use (nice little saving for you) Consider replacing the fabric conditioner you use now with "Distilled" white or clear vinegar. You will save money, your clothes won't be picking up stains from a dirty door gasket, the vinegar de-scales and cleans your machine, so it should last longer which just might help the environment a tiny bit.
Aiden has been writing articles on-line for over 4 years now. He runs a Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer and Dishwasher Repair Company in Portadown. Washing Machine Repairs Portadown and a Tumble Dryer Repair Company in Craigavon Tumble Dryer Repairs Craigavon
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