The washer gasket is the rubber seal that lies between your washing machine door and the outer tub. Most people don’t think about it, but every time we wash our clothes, the gasket on the washing machine collects all sorts of dust and debris like hair and dead skin cells along with dirt and grime. All this debris will eventually form a thin film on the door gasket and can mix in with laundry soap residue. This can build up to such an extent that they restrict the close of the door or slow down drainage of water during operation. You should clean this frequently to keep it in good working order. 

This mixture of bacteria, dirt and soap residue is great for breeding bacteria that could potentially infect your clothes and cause them to smell bad. These germs and smells tend to thrive when they’re trapped inside the washing machine’s rubber seal for too long between uses. As a result, it’s important to clean your washing machine door seal from time-to-time, especially if you notice your clothes smelling funky even after you’ve washed them. Adding vinegar to the wash cycle may help reduce odours coming from the rubber door gasket by eliminating mold and mildew that contribute to bad smells. 

Here’s how to clean your washer’s gasket using baking soda and vinegar:

Step One:  Make a paste by mixing the two together. Making a paste may take a couple minutes longer, but will prove to be more effective than simply dumping baking soda onto the gasket. By creating a solution, it’s possible to get into all of the grooves and crevices while drawing out fluids that will attract bacteria.

To make the paste, mix equal parts of vinegar & baking soda which should begin to bubble at once upon contact.

Step Two:  Using your fingers or an old toothbrush, rub the paste over the washer gasket in small circles until all surfaces are covered. Let this set for 5 minutes so that the mixture can draw out any fluids from inside of the seal before being rinsed away with warm water.

Step Three:  If you want to, you can finish up by spraying all parts of the door seal with bleach (or any type of disinfectant spray) before rinsing it thoroughly under running water. Rinse the gasket thoroughly, making sure that all of the residue has been removed. It may be necessary to repeat this process a second time if residues from hair, soap or other particles have been left behind.

Now that you know how to clean your washer gasket, it’s important to keep it clean and free of buildup. You can find tips online on how to keep it clean! By following these simple steps, you can ensure your washer continues to run smoothly and doesn’t develop any costly problems down the road. If you do notice any issues arising with your washer, our professional technicians are here to help. Call us when you need speedy and reliable washer repairs!