How to Clean Front Load Washer Gasket

Maintaining the hygiene and efficiency of your front load washer goes beyond just cleaning the visible parts. The door gasket is often overlooked, which is a mistake as it plays a critical role in preventing leaks and ensuring your washer operates to its optimal level. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process for effectively cleaning the front load washer gasket.

This guide works for all major front-loader washing machine manufacturers, including Bosch, GE, Samsung, Haier, and Whirlpool. Follow the steps outlined below to clean the door gasket on your front-load washer effectively, and it will be sparkling clean in no time. After we tell you how to clean the door gasket, we will give you instructions on giving your front-load washer a deep clean, which you should do a few times a year.

Step 1 – Make Sure You Have the Right Equipment

To clean your door gasket effectively and efficiently, you will require the following pieces of equipment and supplies:

• A microfiber cloth
• A sponge
• Rubber gloves (optional)
• A small brush (a toothbrush works well) 
• A spray bottle of cleaning solution. You can make a natural mixture by pouring three parts white vinegar and one part water into a spray bottle or just use a commercial cleaner spray bottle.

Step 2 – Prepare the Door Gasket

The door gasket can’t be removed, but you can peel it back as much as possible to give yourself better access during the cleaning process. Once peeled back, inspect it thoroughly for any signs of damage. If damaged, it might need to be replaced. You will need to get a technician to do this for you, or you can do it yourself if you have the right tools and can purchase the correct replacement gasket. If the door gasket isn’t damaged, gently wipe it down using a clean, soft cloth to remove any loose debris.

Step 3 – Spray the Gasket

Generously spray the door gasket with your cleaning solution and then leave it to sit for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can then use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe around and inside the gasket. If there are any hard-to-remove stains, use a small brush and extra cleaning solution to remove them. You might need to use bleach or another heavy-duty cleaning solution if the mold or grime is deeply embedded in the gasket.

Step 4 – Rinse and Dry the Gasket

Once the door gasket has been cleaned, the final step is to thoroughly rinse the cleaning solution off the door gasket with a wet cloth or sponge and then use a second cloth to dry the gasket. Ensure all water is dried up because if moisture stays in the gasket, it could help bacteria develop. Before using your washer again, it’s a good idea to let the gasket air dry for a few hours.

How to Give Your Front-Load Washer a Deep Clean

Regularly giving your front-load washer a deep clean—inside and outside—is a good idea. This will prevent problems like foul odors from developing within your washer, which can adversely affect its operation.

Here’s our step-by-step guide for giving a front-load washer a deep clean:

1. Get your equipment ready

Before getting started, ensure you have a few clean microfiber cloths, a sponge, a small brush, a spray bottle, and a container or bucket.

Once you have the required items, you must make a cleaning solution and pour it into a spray bottle. You can either make a natural mixture by pouring three parts white vinegar and one part water into a spray bottle or use a commercial spray bottle of cleaner. If your front-load washer is particularly dirty, you can use a bleach-based cleaning solution of 2 cups of warm water, ½ cup of bleach (hydrogen peroxide), and ¼ cup of lemon juice.

Before starting the cleaning process, putting a pair of protective gloves on is a good idea—especially if you’re using a bleach-based cleaning solution.

2. Clean the door gasket

Now that you have all your cleaning supplies ready, give the door gasket a thorough clean. To clean the gasket, open your front-load washer door, peel it back so you can get your cleaning solution deep into it, and then spray the cleaning solution all over it. After 10 to 15 minutes, use a cloth to wipe the gasket thoroughly. If there are any deep stains, use a small brush to remove them. Once clean, rinse the gasket using a wet sponge or cloth. Finally, dry the door gasket with a clean, dry cloth.

3. Clean the exterior surfaces

The next step is to clean the exterior surfaces of your front-load washing machine. This can be done by simply spraying and wiping every surface. If you encounter any stubborn stains, use your brush to remove them. If you wish to clean the back of your washer, you will need to pull it out from the wall. 

4. Run a wash cycle

Once the door gasket and exterior surfaces are nice and clean, you need to run your washing machine on a cleaning cycle. If your front-load washer has no built-in wash cycle, you can run it through a cycle using the hottest water setting and longest wash heavy-duty cycle. Fill the detergent drawer with your cleaning solution and pour the rest into the washing machine drum. You can then shut the door and turn the cycle on.

5. Finish up

When the wash cycle ends, open the door and give the inside of your washing machine a quick wipe with a dry cloth. To help it completely dry out, leave the door open for a few hours. To keep your washer nice and clean, it’s a good idea to give it a deep clean every few months.