How to Clean Black Mould From Your Washing Machine

In near-constant contact with dirty clothes, your washing machine is a hotbed for bacteria. Fungal growths like black mould thrive in moist areas. Make sure to regularly wash your washing machine to ensure it isn’t harbouring harmful black mould.

You may have noticed a damp, earthy smell coming from somewhere in your washing machine. Perhaps you’ve seen mould growth in the detergent drawer or inside the door seal. Follow these steps to clean black mould from your washing machine and keep it away.

If your washing machine is mouldy, following this guide will keep black mould away for around 6 months. You should still clean your washing machine with ordinary household cleaners around once a month to lessen the chances of it returning. Be vigilant – washing machines always contain the ideal conditions for mould growth: heat and moisture.

Washing machine black mould removal shopping list

A 2-part bleach-based and biocidal spray bottle mould cleaner like the Dryzone Mould Removal & Prevention Kit
A clean stiff scrubbing brush
A nearby clean sink or bucket of warm water
200g Bicarbonate of Soda (optional)

How to Clean Black Mould off Washing Machine Seal

The awkward shape and placement of your washing machine seal means it can be difficult to clean.

The rubber seal of your washing machine is particularly vulnerable. If left untreated, black mould can eat away at the rubber seal and deteriorate. Over time, this may cause your washing machine to leak.

While you probably already clean your washing machine drum and drawer, you may have forgotten about the seal that runs around the frame or the door.

A home-owner wipes the inside of her washing machine with a cloth.

These airtight seals collect moisture and, because they are designed to keep soapy water locked inside, they don’t naturally dry when the door is closed.

To prevent preserve the working life of your washing machine door seals and prevent a smelly washing machine, always keep it free from black mould. Here’s how:

1 Ensure the machine is empty and dry.

2 Put on protective gloves.

3 Spray a small amount of bleach-based mould cleaner onto a microfibre cloth. Thoroughly wipe the entire circumference of the washing machine seal.

4 Make sure you get into the folds of the rubber seal with the microfibre cloth to wipe the black mould away. Gently turn out the seal for a final inspection and remove any remaining mould and lint with the microfibre cloth.

5 Turn it out and give it a visual inspection to ensure the black mould has gone.

6 Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

7 Leave the door open and let it dry for at least an hour.

8 Rinse the microfibre cloth in water and leave it to dry.

9 Repeat steps 1-6 again with the biocidal cleaner.

10 As a general rule, a quick wipe with a microfibre cloth after use keeps your washing machine seal in good condition. Use a biocidal cleaner once every 6 months to prevent mould growth and always keep the door open after use until the seal and inside of the washing machine is dry. Once you’ve removed the black mould and the affected area is dry.

How to Remove Black Mould From Your Washing Machine Drum

The problem with black mould spores is that they are invisible. Spores land on your clothes without you noticing. They transfer to the washing machine drum itself, where its humid atmosphere makes it conducive to mould growth.

Although washing machine drums are usually built from stainless steel, which black mould tends not to grow on, dirt and lint deposits still harbour nasty black mould growth.

Black mould can also grow on the paddles around the washing machine drum.

A woman holds her breath in front of her mouldy washing machine.

These fins are usually plastic and are designed to keep your clothes moving around the drum as it turns.

Due to their high levels of contact with dirty clothes and high moisture levels, black mould regularly collects on washing machine drum paddles.

For general maintenance, a great way to clean your washing machine drum effectively and cheaply is to place 200g of Bicarbonate of Soda inside the empty machine. Run it on a long cycle above 60℃. Bicarbonate of Soda is a mild abrasive. It is biodegradable, relatively cheap and naturally occurring.

Bicarb gently buffs away grit, grime and mould deposits without introducing more chemicals into the washing machine. It also breaks down soap scum and soap residue, which is great if you’ve ever been a little heavy-handed with the washing powder.

If black mould in your washing machine drum is a persistent problem, you know what to do:

Destroy the mould and keep it away with a mould removal and prevention treatment.

1 Ensure the machine is empty and dry.

2 Put on protective gloves.

3 Spray a small amount of bleach-based mould cleaner onto a microfibre cloth. Thoroughly wipe the entire circumference of the washing machine drum.

4 Make sure you cover all areas of the drum, including the back of the machine. Run the cloth around the circumference of the drum and pay extra attention to the plastic paddles.

5 For more stubborn stains, wet the brush with warm water and scrub until the dirt is loose. Use the cloth and mould cleaner to wipe away any dirt and clean the area.

6 Turn it out and give it a visual inspection to ensure the black mould has gone.

7 Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

8 Leave the door open and let it dry for at least an hour.

9 Rinse the microfibre cloth in water and leave it to dry.

10 Repeat steps 1-6 again with the biocidal cleaner.

How to Remove Black Mould From Your Washing Machine Detergent Drawer

Black mould growth in the washing machine detergent drawer is very common.

Fabric conditioners, detergents and fabric softeners often leave residue that builds up in the various little areas of the drawer. Black mould feeds from the moisture and nutrients present in soaps. Clean the drawer!

Luckily for us, the detergent drawer is removable. Due to its small size, a sparkling clean detergent drawer is not far away.

1 Remove the detergent drawer. Submerge it in warm water to clean off the bulk of any soap residue. Leave to dry.

2 While the drawer dries, use the bleach-based mould cleaner and microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside of the empty compartment. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and leave to dry.

3 Rinse the microfibre cloth in warm soapy water and leave to dry.

4 Apply bleach-based mould cleaner to the microfibre cloth and thoroughly wipe the inside and outside of the detergent drawer. Take special care in the corners, where black mould usually collects. Continue until no mould remains. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and leave to dry.

5 Thoroughly apply biocidal treatment to the inside and outside of the drawer with the microfibre cloth. Leave to dry.

You should clean the detergent drawer monthly to remove visible soap residue and use a biocidal cleaner every 6 months.

Voila! Now you know the secrets to a clean washing machine – inside and out.

Want to learn more about black mould?

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How to Clean Black Mould From Your Washing Machine

Washing machine black mould removal shopping list

How to Clean Black Mould off Washing Machine Seal

How to Remove Black Mould From Your Washing Machine Drum

How to Remove Black Mould From Your Washing Machine Detergent Drawer

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