Cleaning washing machine?

[kazzawazzawoo]

My washing machine has grey/brown sludge under the rubber seal around the tub You can only see it when you prise the rubber away from the metal, but I don't like it being there in case it gets on my washing. Also in the nooks and crannies of the rubber there is dirt. How do you clean your washing machine?

I have up to now been running it empty with a cup of bleach in on a hot wash about once every two months. Should I also be scrubbing the dirty bits with bleach? I think I wouldn't be able to get under the seal, so maybe need to pour some bleach in there?

Also the dishwasher gets filthy around the sides of the door - again I run it every now and again on empty with a cup of bleach. Should I just scrub the seals with bleach? Might it weaken the rubber seal?

Thanks.

not bleach (will bugger up the elasicity of the seal) hot soapy water is best, maybe a bathroom (limescale remover) cleaner. rinse well.

I think the primary thing is to air the machine after use, OP. I clean mine regularly with vinegar (a pint emptied directly into the drum) and soda crystals (a cup in the soap dispenser) to keep the innards clean about one a month, but to ensure the seal etc don't grow mould, it needs to dry out properly after use. Don't shut the door until it is dry! I also take the soap drawer out completely and wash it.

My DSM always closes her machine and the same thing happens to her with mould in the rubber seal. Hope this helps.

I have started to clean mine out once a month by doing a 95 degree wash using just bicarbonate soda, minus anything in the drum obvs.

My mum swears by the above and her machines have always been immaculate and washing always comes out fresh.

I don't know if it's mould. I always leave the door open, but dh and ds shut it after using it

Do you use the vinegar and soap crystals at the same time?

Thanks for the tips.

no, soda crystals and vinegar cancel each other out. (one is a base the other acidic).

someone below recommended using soao crystal s and vinegar. So should I run the machine once with soap crystals then again with vinegar?