How do you stop the rubber seal of your washing machine from getting black mould?

[FenellaBestwick]

I've just spent the afternoon with a black mould remover, applying and reapplying to get rid of all the black mould on my washing machine seal. I don't understand how it gets so mouldy as I already leave the machine door permanently wide open to air it. I'm worried about the rubber degrading over time. How do you prevent this?

I wonder if the water hardness makes a difference? We have a softener installed and mould in the machine has never been a problem.

I always leave door open after wash and clean the seal every few weeks with a wipe and that stops it building up.

Nothing worked on the seal stain for me until I did this;
Got 2 old socks that I was going to throw away, covered them in bleach and laid them in the seal and covered with more bleach, shut the door and left for 48 hrs, and it was completely gone. Now I will try and maintain the new clean seal.

The door stays open after every use (just pushed to, not fully open/flapping about wildly) - never had a problem because it then dries and "airs"

I didn't realise liquid made this worse, but I have a setting on my current machine and clean it when it beeps at me that it needs the clean cycle and I haven't had any mould on the seal in 6 years- and we use liquid.

I read somewhere that neat Listerine poured on and left overnight works. Never tried it.

Reading all the posts some things stand out

Liquid pods not good
Liquid not good
Hard water not good
Conditioner not good

Whereas

Powder good
Soft water good
No conditioner good

It's interesting

I wonder if it is the water ?
I have soft water , use Daz powder , no conditioner.
I leave the door open sometimes but certainly not every time and I have never dried the seal.

My washer is about 15 yrs old and I have never had mould

My rubber seal is always fine, drawer gets a bit black though and needs cleaning. @VillageLite
You didn’t ask but if you put salt crystals in the drawer with the powder the drawer stays squeaky clean.
Sorry to butt in with that OP.

To get rid of the mould, apply neat bleach then cover with rolled up kitchen towel to starve the mould of air. Leave overnight, in the morning remove the tissue to reveal mould free seal.
To stop the mould from forming in the first place leave the door open and always dry the seal between uses.

I always use non-bio liquid and have no mould on the seal. But I do regular 60 degree washes and the occasional 90, and leave the door and drawer open in between.

Ooh, thanks @Lurkingandlearning
Salt crystals as in salt you use for cooking? Or dishwasher salt?

I use bio powder, leave the door open and frequently hot wash. I have HORRIBLE mould and the machine currently smells after a delicate cycle, I can't clear it.

maybe fabric softener is the problem though I use it infrequently and a much smaller amount than it says.

If anyone wants to add any more tips on getting rid of mould once you've got it...??

I use https://groceries.asda.com/product/multi-purpose-cleaners/homecare-soda-crystals/19846

but have also used dishwasher salt.

it works as a water softener too so I use less powder

I leave the door ajar and use powder not liquid or capsules.

We use powder and rarely conditioner. Also do a 60 degree wash a couple of times a week.

I use powder but still get black mould. Live in a hard water area - perhaps that's why?

I wipe around the seal and soak up excess water before leaving the door ajar for a while. I think that's reduced the amount of mould that has built up but didn't avoid it completely, but that might be because I haven't dried it after every use. I'm sure there is less mould in our current machine than there was in the previous one, before I starting wiping dry after use.

Drawer unit: stopped using fabric conditioner years ago and the drawer doesn't get at all dirty now. I don't religiously empty the leftover water each time as I don't think it makes a difference.

My AEG is coming up for 16 years old. I think I'll cry when it eventually dies!

No mould on the door seal. Always use powder. Washes between 30 - 50 degrees with a maintenance wash when I remember. We have hard water so always bung in some soda crystals when doing a 50 degree white wash. Leave door ajar between washes.