Tips for keeping washing machine mould free?

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In my last washing machine I developed black mould in the rubber seal around door frame - in that bit where the water collects. I tried cleaning it a few times but not very successfully.

I now have a new washing machine and I am determined to keep this under control. Any tips? I try and keep the door open when not in use to air it and i have heard that doing hot washes every so often helps. Anything else? Thank you.

Hi always keep the door open when not in use if you can particularly after a wash. Also take out the powder drawer once a week wash and scrub and leave to dry - the air will help circulate from the drawer down as well (ie with the drawer out) - I'm assuming you have a front loader? Have a look at your machine's programs mine has a "drum clean" I use this once a month. After each wash if I'm only doing one I get a dry cloth and wipe round the rubber seal and the inside of the seal iykwim. It cleans it out and drys it to help discourage mould (I hope!). I personally haven't done this but one friend of mine swears by putting bleach in her machine once a week and running a cold wash 🤷🏻‍♀️ I've heard bleach is bad for machines so I've not done it.

Thank you @mommybear1

Very helpful. I agree that bleach doesn’t sound like a great idea.

Definitely leave the door open. If you don't use your machine most days, dry the seal too. I only use powder and soda crystals and put them in the drum rather than the drawer. I do at least one 75/95 degree wash a week for white towels, sheets and shirts. The only time I've noticed mould is a time when nobody was wearing white shirts for school or work and I had coloured towels. This meant most washes were 30-60 degrees. I don't know if that was the reason, but it's all good again now.

I leave the door open and do a 60 wash once a week (towels) and a tub clean (95 degrees I think) maybe every 2-3 months. That seems to have been enough without any extra wiping.

Thanks everyone.

Never use laundry liquid. Always use washing powder, as it contains bleach.