What Is a Washing Machine Door Gasket?
Quick answer
The folded rubber ring around a front-loader's door. It is mold's favorite hiding spot in the whole machine.
The folded rubber seal around a front-load washing machine door. Its inner fold holds water and lint by design, which makes it the number-one spot mold grows in a smelly washer. Pull the fold back and the gray-black line is the culprit.
Fixes that use this
Laundry & Cleaning
How to Clean a Front Load Washer Gasket That Smells
A smelly washer gasket is mold and detergent film in the rubber fold. Wipe it out, clear the drain holes, and stop the smell for under $5.
Time15–20 min Cost$0–$5 easy
Laundry & Cleaning
Washing Machine Smells? Clean These 3 Spots (Gasket, Drum, Filter)
A musty front-loader means mold in the door gasket and a clogged drain filter. Clean all three problem spots in 30 minutes and keep the smell away.
Time30 min + one wash cycle Cost$0–$10 easy