Simple Paper Towel and Bleach Trick to Remove Mould From Your Washing Machine

A washing machine is one of the household appliances we most often forget to clean. Because it is constantly exposed to water, detergent and dirty laundry, moisture builds up in particular areas, creating breeding grounds for mould and fungi - especially around the door seal. Worse still, if the mould is not removed, it can transfer fungal spores to clothes you have just washed. The good news is that there is a simple paper towel and bleach trick that tackles the issue effortlessly, without needing any specialist products.

Why does the washing machine door seal collect so much mould?

The rubber gasket that seals a washing machine door is designed to prevent leaks. However, its folds and recesses also provide the ideal place for moisture, hair, detergent deposits and organic dirt to gather. After every wash cycle, some water remains trapped in these folds. If the door is shut immediately afterwards rather than left to dry, this stagnant moisture can encourage fungal growth within just a few days.

Mould on the seal causes problems beyond its unpleasant appearance. Fungal spores lodged in the gasket can transfer to clothes during wash cycles, potentially leaving dark marks on white fabrics, causing a lingering smell on garments even after washing, and triggering allergic reactions in sensitive people. Cleaning this part of the machine every month is therefore not merely cosmetic; it is a basic hygiene measure.

• Double-ply paper towels: their thickness and wet strength allow them to remain attached to the rubber with bleach for hours without falling apart, ensuring prolonged contact with the fungus.
• Gel bleach: its thicker consistency clings more effectively to the vertical rubber seal and does not run off like liquid bleach, keeping the product directly on the mould for the required time.
• Protective gloves: these must be worn throughout the process, as prolonged contact between bleach and skin can cause irritation and dryness.
• A damp cloth and a bucket of water: these are needed at the end to remove every trace of bleach from the rubber before running the rinse cycle.
• ⏰ Contact time: at least two hours, ideally overnight: the longer the bleach remains in contact with the rubber, the more effectively it eliminates established fungal growth.

Full step-by-step guide to using the trick and removing mould

Start with the washing machine switched off and empty. Put on gloves before handling any products. Fold paper towel sheets into strips, then soak each strip generously with bleach, preferably gel bleach. Pull open the folds of the door seal and press the soaked paper towel strips across every mould-stained area. Pay particular attention to the darkest patches and deepest recesses, where moisture tends to remain for longer.

Leave the bleach-soaked paper towels against the rubber for at least two hours. The best time to do this is before going to bed, allowing the product to work overnight. The prolonged action of the sodium hypochlorite in bleach destroys fungal structures thoroughly, rather than simply lightening the visible surface mould.

How to remove the paper towels and finish cleaning without residue

Once the contact time has passed, take away the paper towels by carefully dragging them through the rubber folds, lifting away the mould residue caught in their fibres. Do not scrub: dragging is more effective and helps prevent spores spreading to other parts of the machine. Dispose of the paper towels straight into the bin while still wearing your gloves.

How to stop mould returning after cleaning

Five simple habits that prevent mould from appearing again

Leave the washing machine door slightly open after every wash so the inside can dry naturally. Wipe the folds of the rubber seal with a dry cloth after each cycle, removing trapped moisture before fungi have the conditions they need to grow. Run a monthly cleaning cycle with the machine empty: pour two cups of white vinegar into the detergent drawer and select the hottest programme available. Clean the detergent and fabric conditioner drawer regularly too, as built-up residue there also encourages fungal growth. Avoid leaving wet laundry inside the machine for longer than one hour after the cycle has ended.

If you keep up these habits consistently, the paper towel and bleach trick will only be needed occasionally rather than monthly. The rubber seal will stay clean for much longer, and the machine will work more efficiently, as a build-up of biological residue also gradually affects the performance of wash cycles.

After removing the paper towels, wipe the entire rubber seal with a damp cloth to clear away any remaining bleach. Go over it again with a clean cloth and water until you are certain that no product remains on the rubber. Then, run an empty cycle with no laundry inside, choosing the shortest programme available, to flush out any trace of hypochlorite that may have entered the drum. Only after this final cycle is the machine ready to wash clothes as normal.

How often should this cleaning be done?

It is advisable to inspect the door seal at least once a month. In households that do several washes a week, have pets, or are in very humid areas, the ideal interval may be every fortnight. The clearest sign that it is time to clean is a mouldy smell on clothes even after washing; this is usually the first symptom to appear, before any visible staining develops on the rubber.

Older machines, those with more porous rubber seals, or machines that have already been through many cold-wash cycles, tend to build up mould faster than newer models. In these cases, as well as cleaning the rubber, it may be worth considering replacing the gasket if it has cracks or distortions that make it difficult to clean the recesses thoroughly.

Other washing machine parts that also need regular attention

Although the door seal is where most mould collects, it is not the only area of concern. The detergent and fabric conditioner drawer gathers product residue that stays damp, making it another common source of fungi with their characteristic odour. Most washing machines allow the drawer to be removed completely and washed under running water using an old brush. The lint filter, usually found at the lower front of the machine, also needs regular cleaning to prevent faults and moisture build-up.

Looking after the washing machine means looking after your clothes. Share this with anyone who complains that their laundry comes out smelling of mould and does not know why.