Washing machine doors often become mouldy as the rubber seal is exposed to moisture after each wash, but there is a simple way to get it clean again without using harsh chemical products. 

Many people can overlook cleaning their washing machine door but if not cleaned out once a month then mould, fabric softener and limescale can build up in the rubber which can cause clothes to come out the wash smelly. 

It may seem obvious to use bleach to kill mould but it can damage the rubber deal which can lead to the washing machine leaking while in use or even breaking down. 

Instead, Nancy Birtwhistle, a green cleaning expert who is best known for winning the Great British Bake Off, has recently appeared on This Morning to share her own homemade solution as an alternative to bleach to get rid of washing machine mould. 

She said: “Now then the washing machine, door seal, yes, inside, inside, this can be really, really gross, and I have been working my socks off trying to come up with with an eco friendly [solution].” 

How to clean the washing machine door seal 

What ingredients to use in this homemade solution 

According to Nancy the ingredients to make her homemade solution may seem unusual but most can be bought in the supermarket baking aisle. 

You will need:

• Half a teaspoon of xanthan gum
• One tablespoon of glycerin
• Four teaspoons of sodium percarbonate 
• 150ml of hot water 
• Glass jug
• Thick paint brush 
• Four tablespoons of washing soda

Nancy said: “These ingredients are not as bizarre as you think. Xanthan Gum you will find in the supermarket down the gluten-free aisle because it is used to improve gluten-free bakes.” 

Glycerin is usually used as a sweetener and will be found amongst other cake ingredients. However, sodium percarbonate, also called solid hydrogen peroxide, you will likely need to buy online. 

Nancy said: “I call it green bleach. Its proper name is sodium percarbonate, and this is so fantastic for the environment because it does a great job on lighting and bleaching, but it decomposes after seven hours.” 

She added: “Unlike chlorine [bleach], it will not harm the rubber or give off harmful fumes. It’s non-toxic because it decomposes quickly.” 

Method

All you need to do is mix together the xanthan gum, glycerin and sodium percarbonate into a glass measuring jug, then pour in the hot water.

Place the glass jug inside the washing machine and dip the thick paint brush into the solution.

Then, brush the solution all over the rubber seal and leave the solution alone. 

Nancy said: “Close the door and leave it for even hours. During that time that bleach will start to do its work.” 

Once the time is up, open the washing machine door and add four tablespoons of washing soda, also known as soda crystals. 

Nancy said: “Four tablespoons of washing soda which will get rid of any smells and any soap scum and [add] another three tablespoons of green bleach. Do not rinse anything off.” 

Soda crystals are often used in cleaning and can be bought in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets. 

Next, place the washing machine on a hot 90-degree wash and once the wash is done the rubber seal will be clean and mould-free. 

This is a highly effective way to get rid of mould without having to scrub at it for ages or use chlorine bleach, but you may need to clean it a few times if the rubber seal has not been cleaned in a long time. 

Nancy said: “Don’t expect overnight sensation. If it’s really bad, like [my washing machine] then it will take probably a couple of the dos [to get completely clean.]”