Mould in washing machines typically develops due to moisture, warmth, and organic matter such as detergent residue and dirt – here’s how to get rid of it
Mould thrives in damp environments, and shockingly, this includes your washing machine. Black mould typically forms in washing machines due to a combination of moisture, warmth, and organic matter such as detergent residue and dirt.
It particularly targets the door seal and detergent drawer. Besides looking rather unsightly and unclean, mould in your appliance can also produce an odour that will affect your laundry.
To eliminate it, cleaning experts at CleanseForceUK recommend three simple steps using one natural item – white vinegar.
Astonishingly, vinegar is more effective at killing mould than bleach. Bleach only eradicates mould spores on the surface of affected materials, while vinegar can penetrate porous materials, killing mould at its root.
You may have seen warnings about using vinegar in washing machines. However, claims that it damages the workings or the gasket are never substantiated with studies or hard evidence, reports the Express.
Leaving an acid like neat vinegar on a surface for weeks could potentially cause damage. But using vinegar in a wash where it’s diluted with water, or making a solution and wiping it off, isn’t the same; people have been doing this for decades without damaging their washing machines.
Here’s how to clean the rubber seal:
Begin by mixing a solution of water with white vinegar. Use a soft cloth or an old toothbrush to scrub the rubber seal around the washing machine door.
Ensure you clean all folds and crevices where mould can lurk. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a cloth.
Here’s how to clean the detergent drawer:
Take out the detergent drawer and soak it in a mixture of hot water and white vinegar.
Scrub away any visible mould with a brush, rinse, and dry before slotting it back into the machine.
Run a hot wash cycle:
Once the rubber door seal and detergent drawer are cleaned, set your washing machine to the highest cycle (60 degrees or above) and run an empty wash.
Add a cup of white vinegar to the drum to kill any remaining mould spores and remove detergent residues.
