Dirty washing machine seal

Clean out the filter - your instruction book should tell you where it is and how to get at it. It's usually accessed at the bottom front. Put down some towels and a tray to catch water that comes out with the filter.

If filter is clear - use less fabric conditioner - it may be the excess clogging the seal . I've stopped using fab con and find no change in my wash but have noticed an improvement in the cleanliness of the interior and soap drawer on my machine

Thanks nanafrancis, will certainly clean the filter again (have done it quite recently) but I don't use fabric conditioner so it can't be that, but thanks anyway

Try a hot wash (or several! Do towels and bedding very hot, for instance) using sodium percarbonate laundry 'bleach'. It's made a by a so-called and well known 'eco' company. I've been using it for years as my only detergent other than soap pods because I'm allergic to everything else. My washing machine is hyper clean! Whether that's the hot water or the laundry bleach I'm not sure. Mind you, I also live in a soft water area. Hard water may make a difference.

Now my favourite wash liquid has gone 'super concentrated', I find it's easier to keep track of how much I need to use by measuring it very carefully. It is amazing how little you actually need to use and how long a bottle lasts.

Our mains water here is desalinated and still has salts in it but too much wash liquid, washing up liquid and shampoo can result in too much foam which is hard to rinse away.

I also wash towels on the hottest wash setting before doing the rest of my weekly wash.

Is your water hard, nanapippa?

I get this a lot and I thought it was just a design fault on my articular washing machine. Its an LG. Have never had it with any other machine. I don't think there is anything else you can do, other than wiping round the inside gap of the rubber door seal. Make sure you get the cloth right inside the gap and go right round the circle.

Thank you everyone, some interesting helpful tips, all of which I will try. Our water is quite hard nanafrancis. Interesting you have a similar problem jangly. My machine is a Servis, not an expensive one but I have never had this problem before either.

I have bought an LG but have not noticed anything in the last 2 months' use but will make a point of drying out the seal. I never actually close the door as it is in a cupboard. I was also told with my last machine that too many low temp. washes can cause problems so also do my sheets & towels on a higher wash.
Can you tell my how often you empty out the filter? What does it get in it - fluff & stuff? This is something I have never done in my life (although I did with a tumbledryer), but was thinking about it as a friend had to call out a plumber who had a good laugh when he picked out coins from the filter and present her with a big bill.

I must admit silversurfergran that I don't empty the filter as often as perhaps I should, but do it about three times a year. It mostly has dog hair in it!!! It's very easy to do as long as you put an absorbent cloth under it when you open it as it tends to leak water out. It's one of those quite satisfying jobs!! I did wonder if low temperature washes may have had something to do with it and I am making a conscious effort to do the occasional very hot wash. I have never found coins in the filter though, more's the pity

When this happened to my machine I was advised to wipe around the seal with a weak solution of bleach and leave the door open for 24 hours. This will, apparently, kill the black mould. Then run a hot wash once a month or so....by hot I mean really hot. It worked for my washer so hope it works for yours too.