Lg Washing Machine: moldy door boot seal

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

Experiencing black or green mold and a musty odor around your LG washing machine's door boot seal? This common issue stems from moisture and residue buildup, often resulting in unpleasant smells and potential transfer to your laundry. Regular maintenance can help mitigate this problem.

Urgency: Medium

Important Tips for Lg Models

  • LG front‑load washers have a flexible door boot seal that can trap moisture and debris; thorough cleaning may require partially detaching the seal.

Possible Causes

Moisture and residue buildup in the rubber seal folds

How to Identify: Visible mold growth, dark staining, slimy texture, and musty odors around the door seal folds, especially after wash cycles.

Part: Door boot seal (rubber gasket)

Poor ventilation after wash cycles

How to Identify: Mold appears more quickly when the washer door is consistently closed after use and there is high humidity.

Part: Boot seal environment

Detergent and softener residue accumulation

How to Identify: Sticky, filmy residue visible alongside mold; strong odors after washes using excess detergent or liquid softener.

Part: Door boot seal and surrounding areas

Cracks or damage to the rubber seal

How to Identify: Visible tears, cracks, or distortion in the seal making cleaning ineffective and potentially allowing water leakage.

Part: Door boot seal

DIY Solutions

Thorough cleaning of the door boot seal

Moderate 30–60 minutes
Tools Needed: mild detergent or white vinegar, baking soda (optional), soft cloth or sponge, old toothbrush, rubber gloves
  1. Unplug the washer from power.
  2. Mix a cleaning solution (equal parts white vinegar and water; optionally add baking soda for stubborn areas).
  3. Dampen cloth with solution and wipe entire seal, paying special attention to folds.
  4. Use an old toothbrush to scrub crevices with buildup.
  5. Rinse with a clean damp cloth and wipe dry thoroughly.
  6. Leave the door ajar to allow the seal to air dry completely after cleaning.
⚠️ Safety First: Wear gloves to protect skin from cleaning agents.

Deep cleaning by removing and cleaning the boot seal

Advanced 1–2 hours
Tools Needed: needle-nose pliers or spring clamp tool, rags/towels, disinfectant or vinegar cleaning solution
  1. Unplug washer and shut off water supply.
  2. Remove the metal retainer ring from the boot seal using pliers.
  3. Detach the boot seal from the washer.
  4. Clean inner and outer surfaces thoroughly with vinegar/disinfectant.
  5. Dry components fully before reassembling and reinstalling the seal.
  6. Reinstall retainer ring ensuring proper alignment.
  7. Restore power and water connections.
⚠️ Safety First: Unplug the washer completely before starting.

Professional Repairs

Replace door boot seal (gasket)

Estimated Cost: $50 - $150 (parts) plus $100 - $300 labor if professional service hired

When to Call a Professional

Visible physical damage to the door boot seal that is beyond cleaning
Repeated mold recurrence despite thorough DIY cleaning
Water leaking from the seal during wash cycles

Preventive Maintenance

  • Wipe and dry boot seal after every wash: Moisture buildup and mold growth
    Frequency: after each use
  • Leave washer door ajar: Traps moisture from fostering mold
    Frequency: every wash
  • Run periodic hot wash cycles with cleaning agents: Residue buildup that feeds mold
    Frequency: monthly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my LG Washing Machine moldy door boot seal?
The moldy seal can result from moisture buildup, poor ventilation, and detergent residue.
How do I fix LG Washing Machine moldy door boot seal myself?
You can clean it using a vinegar solution; for deep cleaning, remove the seal.
How much does it cost to fix moldy door boot seal?
Professional repair costs range from $150 to $450 total, including parts and labor.
When should I call a technician for moldy door boot seal?
If the mold persists after cleaning or if the seal is damaged, it's time to call a pro.

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

85%
DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

  • Excess moisture trapped in the door boot seal due to improper drainage or overloading the washer
  • Use of non-HE (high-efficiency) detergent leading to residue buildup
  • Infrequent cleaning of the door boot seal and surrounding areas

User Suggested Solutions

  1. Clean the door boot seal with a mixture of vinegar and water. Wipe down the seal thoroughly, paying attention to the folds where mold can accumulate. Rinse with clean water and dry with a cloth.

  2. Run a cleaning cycle using a washing machine cleaner or a mixture of baking soda and vinegar to eliminate odors and residues. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the cleaning cycle.

  3. Ensure the washer is not overloaded and check the drainage system for clogs. Adjust the load size and clean the drain filter as necessary.

Analysis based on 1 community discussions
View Sources

Data compiled from real discussions on r/appliancerepair and r/Appliances:

  1. LG washing machine model number clarification -- WM3180CW vs...

Community Discussions

moldy door boot seal

Parts for model WM3180CW/00 are compatible with WM3180CW.

DIY View on Reddit →

Source: Reddit r/appliancerepair

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