Many people do not realise that washing machines need to be cleaned regularly if you want to prevent becoming damaged and leaky, but it is incredibly easy to do with just two items. 

Soap, moisture and limescale can build up in the rubber seal inside the washing machine door over time and cause mould to start growing inside the machine. 

If you never clear mould from the washing machine door your laundry will not be able to wash properly and it will also deteriorate the seal which can lead to leaks. 

However, Heather Dessinger, an expert and founder of Mommy Potamus has shared that a simple way to remove mould is to clean it with white vinegar and washing soda. 

Heather said: “When mixed with hot water, white vinegar can act as a deodorizer (great for mildew), degreaser, and descaler (buildup remover).”

She added: “Baking soda is often recommended to help clear away any deposits that have been loosened up by the hot water and vinegar. 

“Personally I prefer washing soda because it has a pH of around 11 vs baking soda which is around 8. In other words it’s more powerful, which is why it’s used in some commercial laundry detergents and baking soda isn’t.” 

White vinegar contains acetic acid which can naturally break down mould and other grime inside the washing machine door to loosen it and make it easier to remove. 

Washing soda is strongly alkaline which also helps get rid of mould but this makes it highly effective at dissolving leftover soapy residue which can cling to the rubber seal.

If you wish, you can use baking soda instead of washing soda but it may not be as effective.

How to clean the washing machine door

All you need to do is pour white vinegar into an empty spray bottle and spray it on the rubber seal around the washing machine door. 

Let the white vinegar sit for a few minutes to give it time to break down the mould. Then, use a clean cloth to wipe away the grime on the seal. 

Keep repeating this method until the cloth is clean when you wipe it on the rubber seal. 

Next, add 120ml of white vinegar to the detergent drawer in your washing machine. Run the washing machine empty and on the hottest water cycle to thoroughly clean it. 

Once the wash is done, pour roughly around four tablespoons of washing soda or baking soda onto the washing machine drum.

Run once more laundry cycle on a hot water setting. When it is done, wipe the inside of the drum with a cloth and your washing machine should now be completely clean.