Introduction
If the front door seal is black, smelly, or slimy, mold and detergent buildup are often trapped in the folds of the door boot seal (also called the door gasket). This guide shows how to scrub away the buildup, then use stronger chlorine-based cleaners to lift stubborn mold, followed by a cleaning cycle to flush leftover chemicals out of the washer.
What you need
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Step 1 Prepare for chemical cleaning
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Work in a well-ventilated area and keep kids and pets away from the washer.
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Step 2 Physically remove gunk from the seal
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Put on rubber gloves.
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Spray the door boot seal with an antiviral and antibacterial cleaning spray.
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Use a plastic scrub brush to scrub the folds of the seal and strip away gunk that can bring odors and mold back.
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Scrub deep into the folds of the seal to reach trapped buildup.
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Step 3 Clean the door glass and coin trap area
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Wipe the lower edge of the door glass where grime often collects.
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Scrub and wipe the bottom area of the seal where the coin trap pocket can catch lint, soap, and debris.
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Step 4 Apply bleach to the seal
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Pour a small amount of low-splash bleach onto the door boot seal.
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Rub the bleach into the seal with a gloved hand to soak the entire seal, especially the darkest moldy areas.
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Pull back the folds as you work and remove any trapped lint you find in the seal.
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Step 5 Work pool shock into moldy areas
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Sprinkle small amounts of granular pool shock onto moldy areas of the bleached seal.
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Rub the granules into the seal so the bleach acts as a binder that holds the granules on the rubber.
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Step 6 Wipe any chemical off the washer exterior
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Wipe down any areas outside the seal that may have contacted pool shock or bleach, especially metal surfaces.
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Use a damp rag to remove residue rather than spreading it around.
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Step 7 Let the chemicals sit briefly
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Let the pool shock sit on the bleached seal for about 10 to 20 minutes.
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Step 8 Remove most granules before running the washer
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Use a bucket of water and a rag to wipe most of the pool shock granules off the seal.
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Collect removed granules into a plastic bag for disposal.
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Wipe the seal to spread what remains, but don’t try to remove every single granule.
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Pour the bucket of rinse water into the washer drum to help flush residue into the cleaning cycle.
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Step 9 Run a tub cleaning cycle
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Set the washer to a tub cleaning cycle and let it run through the entire cycle.
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Step 11 Remove leftover crystals
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Inspect the seal area and the tub for leftover pool shock crystals after the cycle finishes.
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Physically remove any remaining crystals and seal them in a plastic bag for disposal, or run an additional short cleaning cycle to wash them out.
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Step 12 Optional off-machine soaking method
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Remove the door boot seal if you prefer not to use strong chemicals on the installed washer.
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Place the seal in a plastic tub and add enough water to fully cover it.
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Add pool shock, stir with a rod for about 30 minutes, and then discard the shock water.
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Rinse the seal thoroughly with water before reinstalling it.
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Step 13 Prevent mold from returning
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Leave the washer door slightly open after each use so the seal can dry.
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Wipe the bottom of the seal, especially around the coin trap pocket, to remove trapped water and debris.
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Rinse away any remaining cleaner residue and confirm the seal is clean before returning the washer to service. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.
