Allergies and illness caused by black mould

Recently, I house sat for a some people and discovered that their washing machine had black mould in it.  

This is one of those unthought of sources of infection and allergies which one sees in otherwise clean houses.  It is relatively easy to get rid of in automatic washing machines.

Step one:  Regularly clean the dispensing tray where one puts the detergent, bleach and softener.  Clean the lint trap if there is one.  I try to do this in my washing machine at least once a month.

Step two:  Run a cycle with boiling water through the washing machine.  Do not add detergent or softener.  You may add bleach or vinegar. If your washing machine does not have the facility to heat its own water and has a separate hot water inlet, then boil a kettle or two and pour boiling water into the machine through the dispensing tray to clean the pipes.  Then run a cycle with that hot water in the barrel/tub to clean it.  Add more hot water if necessary. Then drain that water through the pipes. You will be unpleasantly surprised by the amount of mould which comes out.

Step three:  When you are finished with your washing dry the rubber seals around the door or lid.  Leave the door/lid open to air the machine so that mould doesn't get a chance to build up on rubber seals.