The Part of Your Washing Machine You’re Probably Not Cleaning (But Should)

Your washer works hard to clean your clothes, towels, and sheets every week. But what happens when the machine itself gets dirty? Just like all appliances, a washing machine requires regular cleaning so it can continue to perform optimally. Neglecting this task will result in the eventual build-up of detergent residue, mold, and mildew. Not to mention, your well-loved clothes won’t look or smell nearly as fresh as they could.

Hopefully, you’re already in the habit of occasionally running an empty cycle with vinegar as it’s an easy, economical, and toxic-free way to clean the machine. But if your linens (or the laundry room in general) are still stinky, then you might be overlooking an essential part of the washer cleaning process. Front-loading machines contain a gasket, which is the rubber ring that seals the door shut so water doesn’t escape during a cycle. The issue is that this part can retain residue and moisture over time (even with routine vinegar cycles) and become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and, subsequently, bad odors.

So, what’s the fix? The only solution is to manually scrub the rubber ring from time to time. According to this viral Instagram Reel however, there may be a less strenuous way to get the job done.

It’s smart to be skeptical about any #CleanTok hacks influencers promote, especially if they’re not experts in the area of cleaning. We did some digging for you and chatted with two professionals about whether or not this method is actually effective. Read on to find out more about the viral cleaning hack that promises a squeaky clean washing machine rubber ring.

What Is the Viral Washing Machine Cleaning Hack?

According to the video, the best way to remove build-up and moisture from the door seal of a front-loading machine is to start by soaking a few cloths in a bowl of white vinegar mixed with a few drops of naturally antibacterial tea tree oil. Next, the cloths are wedged inside and around the rubber ring where they’ll work their alleged magic for the next thirty minutes. The creator goes on to clean other parts of the machine, like the filter,  during this time, and, once the half hour is up, she removes the cloths and runs a hot cycle with baking soda.

Is the Washing Machine Hack Worth Trying?

According to Amanda Herman, brand manager for Affresh Appliance Care, there's nothing wrong with trying it out. “White vinegar and baking soda are safe to use in your front load washing machine to help clean and deodorize [it],” she says. In other words, it’s not going to harm your washer and it will work to remove residue and odor. But, will it kill stubborn mold and mildew?

Mary Gagliardi, otherwise known as ‘Dr. Laundry,’ the in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox, says “household vinegar products don’t have an EPA registration, which would provide the precise use instructions that need to be followed for a treatment to work.” On the other hand, she says a product like Clorox Disinfecting Bleach “is EPA-registered for mold and mildew removal specifically on hard non-porous surfaces, so you know it’s been proven to work when used as directed.” Essentially, she feels that no matter how viral a video is, it doesn’t change these facts.

How to Properly Clean the Washing Machine Rubber Ring

Gagliardi gives the instructions to prepare a solution of one-third of a cup of bleach and one gallon of water. “Wearing gloves, sponge the solution onto affected surfaces in the washer, including the rubber seal and the door, and reapply the solution as needed to keep surfaces wet for ten minutes," she says. She suggests placing a towel under the open door to catch drips as you work. After the ten minutes are up, rinse surfaces with clean water. “Finally, you can finish with a bleach cleanout cycle to make sure all the bleach is rinsed from the inner workings of the washer,” Gagliardi says. “Leave the door open and allow surfaces to air dry once the cleanout cycle is complete.”

Herman agrees that bleach is effective for mold removal inside the rubber ring. Although, she is also a fan of scrubbing the part with a solution of vinegar and baking soda. Either way, she warns, “It’s important to avoid harsh or abrasive cleaners whenever you’re cleaning washing machine door gaskets, as they can cause damage.” She adds that specific appliance cleaners, such as Affresh washing machine tablets, are specially formulated to break down residue and hard water minerals and help to ensure that residue is more thoroughly cleared away. You can choose to incorporate something like this when you want to give your washer an extra powerful cleaning punch.

How Often Do You Need to Clean the Rubber Ring?

“It’s recommended to clean your front load washer once a month, or every thirty cycles, whichever comes first,” Herman says. The reality is that front-load washers use less water which, as Herman explains, will cause moisture and residue from detergent to build up and create the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.

For the sake of time, you may prefer Gagliardi’s slightly looser opinion instead: “How regularly you clean the rubber ring depends on how frequently the washer is used," she says. "Regular use of bleach generally means less build-up around the gasket.”

Gagliardi also suggests keeping a canister of disinfecting wipes in the laundry room and taking one around the inside of the gasket weekly. “This removes the moisture, pet hair, dirt, and other debris that gets trapped in the rubber seal and also prevents mildew growth for up to seven days," she says. "You can easily do this when finished with laundry for the day, after transferring wet laundry to the dryer.”

Using the correct amount of laundry detergent per load is another way to slow the accumulation of residue inside the machine.

At the end of the day, Herman says it’s important to clean your washing machine regularly to maintain its performance. This can also help you washer last longer. "While we want to avoid getting to this stage by doing regular maintenance, if you notice your front load washer smells bad, it may be due to build-up in its parts and that’s a good sign it’s time for a deep cleaning," she says.