Washing machine doors stay mould-free without bleach if cleaned with 2 household staples

Washing machine doors need to be regularly as moisture can build up and allow to fester on the rubber seal. This can lead to your clothes not being washed properly and wear down the door seal over time, which can cause leaks in the future.

However, Heather Dessinger, a cleaning expert known for creating , has shared that one effective way to clean the rubber seal is making a homemade remedy out of white vinegar and washing soda. Heather said: "When mixed with hot water, white vinegar can act as a deodorizer (great for mildew), degreaser and descaler (build-up remover)."

Bleach is one of the most common ways to clean mould, but it can be incredibly harsh on rubber and cause it to crack, so it is better to try other, before resorting to harsh chemical solutions.

White vinegar, on the other hand, is much more gentle than bleach. It contains acetic acid, which breaks down mould on the washing machine door and makes it easy to wipe away.

It is incredibly popular to mix vinegar with baking soda since it is an alkaline product that can easily break down soap scum, but Heather recommends using washing soda instead.

She added: "Personally I prefer washing soda because it has a pH of around 11 vs baking soda which is around eight. In other words it's more powerful, which is why it's used in some commercial laundry detergents and baking soda isn't."

This is a simple solution that will get rid of mould, bacteria and leftover soap inside the washing machine door without having to use harsh chemicals or scrub away at the rubber seal for ages.

How to clean the inside of a washing machine door

All you need to do is spray a little white vinegar onto the rubber gasket and let it sit for one minute.

Use a cloth to wipe away any gunk inside the rubber, and keep repeating this step until the cloth stays clean.

Then, add 120ml of white vinegar to the detergent drawer of your washing machine and put on a hot wash cycle at 90C if possible.

Once the wash is done, pour 120g of washing soda into the washing machine drum, then run an hot wash cycle.

White vinegar and washing soda should not be used together inside the washing machine as they will create a fizzy reaction that will neutralise the cleaning effects.

Put on one wash cycle with white vinegar to get rid of mould and then another wash cycle to remove soap scum inside the machine.

Once the cycle is done, your washing machine will be properly cleaned and mould-free. After doing laundry, make sure to to help dry out the washing machine so mould does not grow back.

Heather explained: "Mould thrives in damp places, so if possible leave the lid [or] door open to allow air to circulate and dry out the washer drum"