Got washing machine mould? Here's how this cheap pantry staple could help

If your washing machine smells musty or you’ve noticed dark patches around the seal, chances are it has mould build-up. You might not expect this from a cleaning appliance, but its warm, damp environment is the perfect place for bacteria to grow.

You may have seen videos online of people using natural solutions, such as white vinegar, to tackle this common household problem and wondered whether it actually works. After weeks of frustration over damp-smelling clothes, I decided to give it a go for mould removal.

Below, I reveal whether it's really as effective as Instagram makes it out to be and call in appliance experts to share their thoughts on whether it’s a good long-term solution.

Can you use vinegar to clean washing machine mould?

Yes, white vinegar can be a good short-term fix for removing mould from your washing machine – but the keyword here is 'short-term'.

"Surface cleaning with white vinegar can certainly remove what you can see and smell, but it will not fully eradicate any microbial growth that is embedded in the rubber over time," explains Jag Sandhu, national account manager and appliance expert at ASKO. "Its mild acidity helps break down surface mould and neutralise odours."

While it won’t tackle the root cause, white vinegar can be a cheap and effective way to remove the soap scum and lint that mould feeds on. Here's how to use it effectively, according to Gwil Snook, laundry appliance expert at AO.

1. Place vinegar-soaked cotton pads into your washing machine rubber
2. Leave them to sit for around two hours
3. Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe the area clean
4. Put on a high-temperature maintenance wash to clear any residue

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Jag Sandhu

Jag Sandhu is a National Account Manager and Appliance Expert at premium Scandinavian brand ASKO. Jag’s expertise spans the full spectrum of appliances, from built-in to freestanding, with a well-rounded perspective of what truly matters to homeowners.

Gwilym Snook

Gwil has worked as part of the AO family for the past four years with a specialised focus in the laundry category. He is the company's in-house expert with a wealth of experience and knowledge across a wide variety of household appliances.

My results cleaning with white vinegar

As you can see from the images below, my washing machine was long overdue for a good clean, but I was optimistic that this cheap hack would work.

After waiting for it to soak and wiping it with a damp cloth, as per the instructions, I was pleased to see that a fair amount of the mould had been cleaned away.

However, I found it trickier to remove tougher stains that had been there for a while, and I would recommend using something stronger for those (like this cleaning gel from Amazon).

I should have tried this cleaning hack a long time ago!

I placed the vinegar-soaked cotton pads into the mouldy seal and crossed my fingers that it would work

The vinegar removed a decent amount of mould from my washing machine seal

How do I prevent washing machine mould?

If you’re looking for more of a long-term solution, Jag Sandhu and Gwil Snook both recommend keeping up good maintenance habits, such as:

• Leaving the washing machine door slightly open after each cycle
• Wiping down the door and seal regularly
• Running regular hot maintenance washes
• Using the correct amount of detergent for each wash
• Cleaning the detergent drawer and filter once a month
• Removing wet laundry as soon as the cycle has finished
• Not overloading the washing machine

To conclude, while white vinegar can be effective at lightly cleaning your washing machine on a surface level, the best way to eliminate mould for good is by following the best practice maintenance above.

If you found this helpful, you may also want to learn about the different types of mould you might find in your home and how long washing machines last.