Prep first
Before you start
- Fix the water source first and dry everything completely.
- Put on gloves, goggles without vents, and an N-95 respirator before you touch the seal.
- Brush loose mold off outdoors if you can, so spores don't scatter indoors.
Mold in a washing machine usually lives in the rubber door seal, where water sits in the folds after every load. It's a living fungus, and its spores need moisture to grow, so the seal stays the weak point. Scrubbing and thorough drying clear most of it, but dark marks left behind may be damage that can't always be reversed.
Wipe the rubber door seal dry after every load and leave the door open between washes so the drum can breathe. A mold and mildew remover can do the heavy lifting on the seal, but rinse it off completely before you run an empty cycle. If mold keeps coming back in the washer after a full clean, a pro can check the drum and drain for hidden growth.
Before you start
What washing machine can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Hot water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid2
- Scrubbing and abrasives
- Heat, once the stain is out
8 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- GlovesKeeps spores off your skin. (opens Amazon)
- Goggles without ventsKeeps spores out of your eyes. (opens Amazon)
- N-95 respiratorStops you from breathing in spores. (opens Amazon)
- Soft cloth or spongeLifts loose debris without scratching the seal. (opens Amazon)
- Mild detergentLoosens the mold in the folds. (opens Amazon)
- ToothbrushReaches the crevices a cloth can't.
- Clean, lint-free clothDries the seal's folds. (opens Amazon)
- Washer cleaning tabletsMonthly cleaning to keep mold from coming back.
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Clear loose debris from the seal
Inspect the seal for dirt, debris, or small items such as coins or socks. Gently wipe away loose particles with a soft cloth or sponge.
Step 2 of 6
Scrub the seal with detergent
Mix warm water with a mild detergent and apply it to the affected areas. Scrub the crevices with a toothbrush, since the mold sits in the folds.
Step 3 of 6
Rinse the seal thoroughly
Rinse the whole seal with warm water to clear away the remaining cleaning solution. Check the creases by hand so none are missed.
Step 4 of 6
Scrub the hard interior parts
Hard interior surfaces take the same approach: detergent and water, then full drying. Work on one area at a time so you can see which spots are done.
Step 5 of 6
Dry the seal and door
Dry the seal with a clean cloth, paying close attention to the folds. Then leave the door slightly open after each use so the seal can air out.
Careful. Don't close the door tight on a damp seal.
Step 6 of 6
Clean the washer monthly
Run a washer cleaning tablet through the machine about once a month. That routine keeps the seal and drum from building up mold again.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for mold on washing machine
Choose a washer cleaning tablet for the monthly routine, not a general household spray. Keep harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners off the seal.
MOLD ARMOR Rapid Clean Remediation
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on washing machine, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
Heavy buildup usually takes more than one round.
Heavy or long-standing buildup →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The seal should look clean in the folds and smell fresh once the door has been left open to dry. If dark marks remain after several rounds of cleaning, the rubber may be stained beyond what cleaning can lift.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your washing machine
Front-load door seal
On a front-load washer, the rubber door seal is where most of the mold collects. Its folds hold water after every load, so the mold sits in the creases rather than on the flat surface.
Spend most of your time on the folds, and check the bottom crease, where a coin or sock often hides. Keep the door open between loads so the seal can air out.
Drum and hard interior parts
The drum and other hard interior parts take the same approach as the seal: detergent, warm water, then a full drying. Work one area at a time so you can see which spots have been cleaned.
Check those surfaces again the next day, since any spot still damp can grow mold again.
Washer cleaning tablet
A washer cleaning tablet is a monthly maintenance product, not a way to remove mold that has already set into the seal. Use it after the seal and drum are clean and dry, so you're keeping them clean rather than fighting heavy growth.
Repeat it about once a month, and keep the door open between loads so the machine stays dry.
Clothes left in the washer
Clothes are a fabric problem, not a machine one, and mildew weakens fibers, so work gently. Colored fabric that isn't colorfast can change when treated, so check it first.
If the mark doesn't lift after careful work, the fabric may be too damaged to clean fully.
Heavy or long-standing buildup
If the mold has been there for a while, it may have worn into the rubber, and that damage doesn't come out with a scrub. Fabric that mildew has badly damaged may be impossible to clean.
When a mark has dried, give it a second round of the gentle scrub after the seal is fully dry, and don't keep scrubbing hard to force it out. Repeated gentle cleaning and drying is the realistic limit here.
If the shadow is still there after several rounds, accept that it may be staining that won't lift. Keep the seal dry and clean from then on, so the mark doesn't spread.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on mold on washing machine?
Most household remedies for mold are built for hard surfaces or fabric, not for a rubber washer seal. A rubber seal takes water and gentle detergent, but scrubbing hard and heat are out.
Helps5Skip2
Chemical safety
Never mix these
Some products in this guide react dangerously with each other. Use them one at a time and rinse with water in between.
Oxygen bleach (OxiClean) + Vinegar
OxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
Hydrogen peroxide (3%) + Oxygen bleach (OxiClean)
OxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
Oxygen bleach (OxiClean) + Rubbing alcohol
OxiClean's maker says it should not be mixed with household chemicals other than detergent in the wash.
If they mix by accident: Don't use the mixture; ventilate the room and avoid breathing fumes or touching it; call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 for disposal advice or if anyone feels unwell.
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't mix bleach with ammonia
Never mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or any cleaner that contains it, because toxic fumes can form. Rinse one product out completely before using another, and open a window while you work.
Don't scrub the seal with abrasives
Abrasive cleansers and scrub pads damage the seal. Stick with a soft cloth, a sponge and a toothbrush.
Don't use bleach as a routine
Chlorine bleach isn't recommended as a routine practice for mold. If you do use it, ventilate the room and exhaust the air outdoors.
When to call a professional
If the seal stays discolored after repeated scrubbing and full drying, the rubber may be damaged. A repair technician or the washer's maker can check whether the seal needs replacing.
Questions
Are gentle cleaners enough for a front-load seal?
Yes, for the seal the mild detergent and warm water method is the right approach. Save anything stronger for fabric, and only after a hidden-spot test.
Why does the mold keep coming back?
Mold needs moisture, and the folds of the seal stay damp after each load. Dry the seal fully, leave the door open, and use a washer cleaning tablet about once a month.
Does mildew stain clothes permanently?
It can. The mark is partly damage, because mildew leaves pits in the fiber, and badly damaged fabric may be impossible to clean. Work gently and expect that some marks may stay.
Can I put moldy clothes straight into the washer?
Not before you've checked the fabric. Mildew weakens fibers, so test a hidden spot first and handle the clothes gently.
How long should the washer take to dry out?
Wet areas dried within 24 to 48 hours usually won't grow mold. Aim to have the seal and drum fully dry inside that window.
Is it safe to clean washer mold myself?
Yes for a washer seal and drum, as long as you keep spores off your skin and out of your lungs. Mold from sewage or contaminated water, or a patch bigger than about 10 square feet, is a job for an experienced professional.
Mold on other materials
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.