Expat and other washing enthusiasts!

[ThisIsWhyYouWereToldNotTo]

Due to morning/whole sodding pregnancy sickness the seal on my machine got neglected for a good few months.

It is now mould stained

It is clean now, I have done it with Dr Beckmanns etc, but still looks nasty.

Is it doomed forever?

[SadCatlady]

Make a paste with biological washing powder and leave it on the seal.

Soda crystals in the drum - wash on hottest with no clothes in.

Or I think you can get new seals relatively cheap. here depending on your machine - some are £15 (not the end of the world)

This advice from a website is useful to know:

Removing black mould on door seal and soap dispenser
Black mould can grow in washing machines. It mostly grows on the door seal and in the soap dispenser. On the soap dispenser it can divert jets of water to the front and cause water to leak from the soap drawer. Check the top of the dispenser compartment where the water comes in and use a suitable scowerer to remove it.

Black mould is known to release spores and there are known health hazards with black mould such as allergies and some illnesses although as it's so damp in a washing machine it's possible the spores don't get released so easily unless scrubbing them. You may be able to scrub lightly affected areas of the door seal with a scourer or old toothbrush etc. and something like Jiff. To be on the safe side you should wear goggles and a mask when dealing with black mould.

It may be worth trying a black mould remover available from supermarkets but read the instructions to make sure it is safe to use on rubber if intending to use it on the door seal. If badly affected - the only way to get rid of it - is to replace the door seal.

What causes black mould in washing machines?
Using mostly low temperature washes, and using washing machine detergent that doesn't contain 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 liquid detergents do not have any 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 that contains bleach (don't but actual bleach in yourself), and with no laundry in. If you normally use biological or liquid detergent, buy some normal detergent containing bleach and keep it just for the maintenance wash. Go to top of page

I think white wine vinegar works for some.

[ThisIsWhyYouWereToldNotTo]

thank you!

[gorionine]

[ThisIsWhyYouWereToldNotTo]

Just read the colour friendly thing. I ran out of my "whites" powder a while back and was trying to save money by not buying more

It is since then it all went tits up