I don’t have a front loader, but I believe if you run the machine on an empty cycle and add a cup of vinegar that should do the trick.

First run a hot empty wash using vinegar in the soap dispenser. Then run a toothbrush dipped in bicarb around the seals

Remove the drawers where the washing liquid goes and give it a good scrub. They should be easy to remove and I clean mine every two weeks. I also put vinegar and bicarbonate in the tray and wash it on a hot cycle – empty. Once each load is finished I leave the door open to dry and stop mould.

Oh really?? I didn’t know fabric softener did that to clothes… Yuck! May have to stop using it i think!!! Thanks, i will try the white king!

Clean the seal with some bleach (white king) on a cloth, wipe over, this will kill any mould and stop it coming back, do it every couple of weeks, leave the door of the machine open when not in use so that it dries out, and fabric softener is very hard on machines as it is designed to put a coating over the fabric so effectively it seals any stains on to your clothes and makes your clothes grey, it does the same to your machine, it puts a coating through all the pipes, if you must use it make sure that you do a hot wash with a few cups of vinegar each week to clean out the fabric softener scum, a lot of machines have cleaning cycles now. I used to have a commercial laundry and the seals and fabric softener were a constant problem but simple attention each week keeps them under control and stops expensive repairs.

Thanks… Yes i know how to remove the dispenser drawer, i do this regularly! Thank you for clarifying the amount of vinegar i should use… I will try to give it another good clean out and wipe as much gunk out from the seal as possible but i’m thinking it is too far gone, may need a new seal! I used to always close the door after each load but i don’t anymore thanks to your advice!

Glad you asked. I just checked my front loader and put in vinegars in. Just need hubby to check the filter. I do leave the door hlf open after taking wet washing out.

After every load, wipe the water off the inside of the door and run a cloth around the seal to dry it and get out any fluff or gunk and leave the door open, even if it only open 3 or 4 inches. Once a month run a hot wash with household vinegar to clean out the pipes of any residue. Your detergent drawer does come out. You usually have to pull it out a bit and lift it slightly for it to come out and you can then give it a good clean.

The dispenser drawer should be easily removed, and then you can wipe it or even wash it out (Mine actually pulls apart, Whirlpool 10kg) As to the seal we have had the machine for 3 years & never had to clean it (except for the filter once per year) the trick is after you finish with your washing you do not close the door back up, this give the moisture time to dry out without leaving any grimy mess to clean off

I use white vinegar the whole 2 litre bottle and run it through a hot wash cycle. Have even used soda crystals and a hot wash cycle. Glad you asked because I just checked mine and it needs doing too. Hope that helps.

The dispenser drawer should be easily removed, and then you can wipe it or even wash it out. As for the seals – use a microfibre cloth, a spray of white vinegar, wipe the whole machine down wherever it’s dirty, and then use the cloth to wipe the gunk out of the seal.
Every few months you can do an ‘empty’ wash – throw a towel in if it’s fuzzy logic, white vinegar in dispenser drawer and wash on hottest setting.

I use liquid detergent and never ever use fabric softener, so I don’t get a build up in the draw. For around the rubber in the door I just wipe it down from time to time.

My new washing machine (samsung 7.5kg front loader) has a drum clean cycle that they recommend using every now and then. Otherwise a full hot wash on the hottest cycle with no detergent works well.

Try using white vinegar instead of fabrics softener.. Better for your machine and does the same job without a smell.. Might be able to prevent that buildup you mentioned..

Thank you all for your help… I do pull the powder drawer out regularly to clean it but the main issue is the gunk around the door/seals! I will try the vinegar and bicarb soda today and see if that helps clean it! I do use fabric softener in almost every wash… Wasn’t aware it was bad to use!! Why do they produce it if it wrecks washing machines? Anyway, thanks again!!

Like others I use vinegar to clean the soap drawer, I also wipe the inside of the glass door and rubber area after finishing with the washing for the weekend and leave the door ajar when not in use. Good luck there is some great suggestions here.

Use white vinegar instead of fabric softener, as it is a natural softener. It doesn’t give you the fancy smell, (it doesn’t smell at all). It neutralises the soap that doesn’t get rinsed out of your clothes and doesn’t allow the build of of “mucky” stuff.

A little bit of vinegar mixed with bi-carb soda

i was just told by my washing machine man to put a dishwasher tablet thru it once in a while on as hot as u can

Belinda Ertl – we should try vinegar !