Black Mould On Door Seal
We had an engineer to fix the dish washer and whilst he was here asked him about the washing machine door seal which is coated with black slime/mold. He said the only choice was to get a new seal and that it would happen again. He said we could try to clean it but it would take all day and now I have read there are problems with spores and that you should wear a mask and goggles!! Any advice??
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Black mould on washing machine door seal
- The problem
- The washing machine door seal was coated with black slime/mould. The owner asked whether it could be cleaned or whether the seal needed replacing, and whether regular boil washes would prevent it returning.
- Likely cause
- The accepted reply said black mould in washing machines is commonly caused by mostly low-temperature washing and using detergent without bleach, allowing growth in warm, moist areas. Damp conditions around the appliance may also encourage mould, but this was discussed as a possible contributing factor rather than a confirmed cause.
- What fixed it
- Recommended actions were to scrub off as much mould as possible, taking care because of spores, and then run a monthly hot/boil wash with detergent containing bleach and no laundry to help control recurrence. If the door seal is badly affected, replacement was advised as the more sensible option. Leaving the door open and drying the seal after use were also suggested to reduce dampness. The exact repair carried out was not confirmed.
- Checks to try
- Door seal found coated with black slime/mould
- Soap drawer reportedly had very little mould
- Owner usually left the washing machine door open after use
- Parts or tools mentioned
- New door seal
- Detergent containing bleach
- Scourer
- Mask
- Goggles
Safety: Be careful with black mould because of possible spores; wear goggles and a mask when cleaning.
7 Answers
I have a small section on Washerhelp mentioning black mould in washing machines although it's on part of a section about grease and slime. I've amended the title to make it easier to find - Causes of grease, slime and black mould inside washing machine
Black mould on washing machine door seal
Black mould can grow in washing machines. It mostly grows on the door seal and in the soap dispenser. Be careful with black mould as it is known to release spores and chemicals. There are known health hazards with black mould such as allergies and some illnesses. You may be able to scrub much of it off with a scourer and something like Jiff, but to be on the safe side you should wear goggles and a mask.
What causes black mould in washing machines?
Using mostly low temperature washes, and using washing machine detergent without bleach causes black mould, which thrive in warm moist places. Bleach in washing machine detergents (plus high temperatures) kills bacteria that can otherwise multiply inside a washing machine. Many "colour-friendly" detergents and liquids have no bleach in them which is why they are "friendly" to coloured garments.
To prevent, or try to get rid of, black mould in washing machines, put the washing machine on a monthly boil wash using detergent with bleach in it, and with no laundry in. If a door seal is badly affected it may be better to replace it.
If anyone has experience of successfully removing black mould from a washing machine please let us know.
[ related link buy washing machine door seals and other Washing machine seals]
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I had read your pages on the SLIME but wondered it anything like Bicarbonate of Soda would work?? Or is a new seal my only sensible option? Will a regular boil wash actually control the slime and prevent it from reoccuring?
There are black mould removers available from supermarkets. I used some to get rid of some black mould on my wallpaper but it didn't get rid of the black stain. Also, check the instructions to make sure it won't perish the rubber on the seal and cause a leak.
If it's bad, you need to either get it replaced, or try to kill the mould with boil washes using detergent containing bleach and live with the discolouration if it remains. This link looks useful - Mould and health issues
Try to dry the door seal after use or at least leave the door open after washing. Mould only grows on wet or damp surfaces.
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Thank you for your help but I was wondering.... My utility room is a small brick out building with low ceiling and single glazing. Apart from the washer there is a small sink and our condensor drier. Could it be that the condensation in the room from the drier being used is what has caused the problem as the door of the washer is always left open but the drawer which should be and is rarely left open had vertually no mould?
Warm and moist places are where mould thrives although we all know it can grow in cold damp places too. On a washing machine it's the rubber door seal that tends to get the black mould most as it can get a good hold in the rubber.
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Thank you for all your help! I think having a condensor drier doesn't help but when we bought it it was the best option for us in our previous home. Thing is now we actually having a utility room, a cheaper extracting vent hose drier would have been the best option but we are not in a hurry to buy a new one!!!
On the last link you gave me it explained why the bedroom two of our daughters share can get mold on its NORTH facing wall. With the condensation on its adjacent wall from breath at night. The reason for the mold now has an explanation which my husband who in an HVAC engineer couldn't give me apart from suggest a vent in the ceiling. We have no tricle vents in our windows unfortunately. Although we did know the reason for the condensation!!!!
Thanks a lot!!!!!
Mell
I now have more articles on the subject here - black mould on washing machines | Black jelly-like substance in soap dispenser and on soap drawer
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