Sometimes you also need to clean the seal on your washing machine. We’ll tell you how and what to look out for when cleaning.

The washing machine ensures that clothes and textiles are cleaned reliably. But for the washing machine to do its job, it also needs to be maintained and cleaned. Cleaning the washing machine helps prevent unpleasant odors, for example. Regular descaling and cleaning of the lint filter are also important, as is cleaning the washing machine’s rubber. This prevents a film of dust or dirt from forming on clothes, for example.

Cleaning the washer seal: Here’s why it’s so important

The gasket seals the washing machine and ensures that water cannot escape during washing. In doing so, residues of the protective coating remain on the rubber seal. If you leave the washing machine drum door open, dust can form on the rubber. The next time you wash your clothes, they’ll be all over what should be clean clothes, and you may have to wash them again, increasing your energy consumption. In the worst case, mildew can even form on the elastic.

To avoid this, washing machine manufacturers recommend cleaning the washer rubber once a month.

How to clean the washer seal

If you’d like to clean your washing machine’s rubber seal, this can usually be done very quickly. Here’s how basic cleaning works:

  • Start by wiping the rubber seal with a clean, damp cloth.
  • Gently push back the rubber and use the cloth to remove any lint or residue left in the folds.

If the washer seal is dirtier, you can use household products to clean it thoroughly:

  • A little washing-up liquid can be used to remove stains from the washer’s rubber.
  • You can also remove stains and dirt with baking soda and water. Gently mix a little baking soda with water to form a creamy paste.
  • Use a cloth to spread the cream over the rubber and clean it. If you don’t have any baking soda, you can also use sodium bicarbonate.
  • The same works with toothpaste. If you apply the paste to an old toothbrush, you can also remove the dirt in the gaps.
  • Afterwards, however, you need to iron it on with a clean, damp cloth. This will prevent toothpaste staining your clothes the next time you wash them.

You should avoid aggressive cleaning products when cleaning the rubber in your washing machine. These products can damage the material.

Cleaning the washing machine seal: What to do in the event of mildew?

Because washing machine rubber is exposed to a lot of moisture, mold and mildew can also form. If you can’t get rid of it with the remedies described above, you can still try vinegar. Here’s how:

  • Mix one part vinegar with two parts water. Make sure there’s not too much vinegar. Too much vinegar can, in the worst case, damage the seal.
  • Pour the mixture onto a cloth, not directly onto the rubber. It’s gentler on the material.
  • Pass it over the mildew.
  • Repeat the operation until the mildew has disappeared.
  • Then wash the cloth thoroughly and put it back in the wash.
  • Carefully wipe the rubber in the washing machine again with another clean cloth.