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How do you remove mould from a washing machine?

Most washing machine mould sits in the rubber door seal and the detergent drawer, and comes off with warm soapy water, a cloth and an empty hot cleaning wash. In Cheshire, if the seal is torn or mould keeps returning, ask an appliance engineer to check the machine.

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By the QuoteZila editorial team. Editorial policy.

Where does mould grow in a washing machine?

Black spots on a washing machine seal and a musty smell from the drum are problems for homes everywhere, in Cheshire as much as anywhere else. Whether you live in Crewe, Nantwich, Sandbach or elsewhere, this page explains how to clean the machine and stop the mould coming back. Anyone in the UK can post or register on QuoteZila.

Mould grows where things stay wet. In a washing machine, look at:

  • The rubber door seal, especially the folds at the bottom where water and fluff collect.
  • The detergent drawer and the space behind it, where left-over powder, liquid and softener build up.
  • The drum and the holes in it, and the outer drum behind, which you cannot see.
  • The pump filter, usually behind a small flap at the bottom front of the machine.

A smell from the drum when the door has been shut for a day or two is a sign of residue somewhere inside, even if you cannot see mould.

How do you clean the door seal and the drawer?

Switch the machine off at the wall before cleaning. Put on rubber gloves. Open a window or turn on an extractor fan.

Door seal. Gently pull back the folds of the rubber. Wipe out water, fluff, hair and coins. Clean the seal with warm water and washing-up liquid on a cloth, working round the whole circle. An old soft toothbrush helps in the folds. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry it.

Detergent drawer. Most drawers pull out fully: look for a release tab in the softener section. Soak the drawer in warm soapy water, scrub the corners, rinse and dry. Shine a torch into the space where the drawer sits and wipe out any slime you can reach.

Glass door. Wipe the inside of the glass and the rim of the door, where residue collects.

If you choose a cleaning product, check your machine's instructions first and follow the product label. Never mix cleaning products together.

How do you clean inside the drum?

Run an empty wash at the hottest temperature your machine's instructions allow for cleaning. Many machines have a drum-clean or maintenance programme. Some makers suggest a specific machine cleaner, or a cup of a recommended product in the drum or the drawer. Follow what the manual says for your model.

After the wash, leave the door and the drawer open so the inside dries. Wipe the seal again.

Pump filter. The filter traps fluff, coins and hair, and can smell if it is left. The manual shows how to drain and open it. Put a shallow tray and towels down first, because water will come out. Clean the filter, check the opening is clear, and refit it firmly so it does not leak.

How do you stop mould coming back?

Small habits keep a machine fresh:

  • leave the door and the drawer open between washes so the inside dries
  • wipe the seal dry after the last wash of the day
  • take wet washing out promptly
  • use the amount of detergent and softener the packaging suggests for your load
  • run a hot maintenance wash as often as the manual suggests
  • clean the filter as the manual suggests

Think about the room as well. GOV.UK guidance says moisture from everyday activities such as showering, drying laundry and cooking builds up in the air if it cannot be removed, and over time condensation can lead to damp and mould [S1]. Its tips include using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms, drying laundry outdoors if possible, and opening windows periodically [S1]. A machine in a small, unventilated utility room or cupboard is more likely to stay damp.

When should you call a professional?

Call an appliance repair engineer if the door seal is torn or split, if water leaks from the door or underneath, if the filter will not open or close properly, or if a strong smell remains after cleaning. Our appliance repair page covers washing machine repairs.

If mould is spreading on walls, ceilings or window frames near the machine, the problem is the room, not the appliance. GOV.UK guidance says damp and mould mainly affect the airways and lungs, and can also affect the eyes and skin, and that people with certain health conditions, children and older adults are at greater risk [S1]. Our damp proofing page covers damp, and mould removal costs explains what that work involves. If you rent, tell your landlord in writing.

When you compare quotes for a repair, Citizens Advice says a quote is a fixed price, while an estimate is just a rough guess, so ask for a written quote [S2]. It says some traders charge for quotes, so ask about this first [S2].

Honest status: QuoteZila is new. We're starting in Cheshire, beginning with Crewe, Nantwich and Sandbach, and growing area by area. Anyone in the UK can still post a job or register a business. How fast you get quotes depends on how many local businesses have joined near you. Businesses can register and receive jobs straight away. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire.

Jobs you might post

These are examples, not taken from real job posts.

  • Washing machine door seal is split at the bottom and has black mould. Appliance engineer to supply and fit a new seal.
  • Machine smells even after a hot clean wash. Engineer to check the filter, the sump hose and the drum.
  • Utility room walls and the window frame have mould around the washing machine and dryer. Customer wants advice on ventilation.

Get help with a mouldy machine or room

Say the make and model of the machine, and add photos of the seal or the mould. Your job goes to up to five matched local businesses [QZ2]. QuoteZila is free for customers and local businesses [QZ1].

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Questions about washing machine mould

Why does mould grow in a washing machine?

Mould likes damp, dark places with something to feed on. A rubber door seal that stays wet, a drawer with left-over detergent, and a door kept shut between washes give it all three. Low-temperature washes and too much detergent or softener can leave more residue behind.

Is washing machine mould bad for my health?

Mould in the home is worth dealing with. GOV.UK guidance says damp and mould mainly affect the airways and lungs, and can also affect the eyes and skin. It says people with certain health conditions, children and older adults are at greater risk. Wear gloves when you clean, and keep the room aired.

Can I use bleach on the door seal?

Check your machine's instructions first, because some makers warn against products that can damage the rubber. If you do use a cleaning product, follow its label, wear gloves, keep the room aired and never mix it with other cleaners.

What if the mould will not come off the seal?

Black spots that have grown into the rubber may not clean out. If the seal is stained but sound, you can live with it and keep it dry. If it is torn, split or leaking, the seal can usually be replaced. Ask an appliance repair engineer.

Does QuoteZila check appliance engineers?

No. We don't check insurance, qualifications or registrations, so please check these yourself before you hire. You can report a quote or a business from your job page.

This page is general information, not professional or legal advice. QuoteZila does not check Gas Safe, WaterSafe, NFRC, NICEIC or other registrations against the register on your behalf: look them up yourself.

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Sources

  1. QZ1: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila pricing line.
  2. QZ2: QuoteZila product fact. QuoteZila FAQ How does getting quotes work.
  3. S1: Understanding and addressing the health risks of damp and mould in the home, GOV.UK (MHCLG, DHSC and UK Health Security Agency). Accessed 2026-10-31. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-for-rented-housing-providers/understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-of-damp-and-mould-in-the-home--2
  4. S2: Before you get building work done, Citizens Advice. Accessed 2026-10-31. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/getting-home-improvements-done/before-you-get-building-work-done/