Appliance Spares
You pull out a load of washing and there are dark flecks stuck to the clean whites. They look like dirt, but they came out of the machine, not the clothes. Here’s where they come from, how to clear them in one afternoon, and how to tell when a part has worn out.
Quick answer: Black flakes on clean washing are built-up detergent, softener and grime breaking loose from places you can’t see: the outer wall of the tub, the bottom fold of the door seal, the detergent drawer and the pump filter. Run the hottest, longest empty cycle twice, then clean the seal, drawer and filter. If the flakes are rubbery, or the seal is split, replace the door seal.
What are the black flakes, exactly?
Mostly old detergent and fabric softener mixed with lint and grime. Samsung’s support guide says the build-up forms on the walls of the inner bowl when a machine is mostly used on cold washes, or when hot water comes through at low pressure, and it eventually breaks off onto clothes. Front loaders have two more hiding spots. A 2021 study of ten home front loaders found the detergent drawer chamber and the bottom of the door seal were heavily contaminated. The top of the seal was the cleanest spot, because water drains off it.
The flakes are a symptom. The cause is water and residue sitting where the wash can’t rinse it away.
What the flakes tell you
| What you find | Most likely source | Fix first | If that doesn’t work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft grey-black flecks all through the load | Build-up on the outer tub wall | Two hot, long empty cycles | Repeat monthly with a machine cleaner your manual approves |
| Black specks, and the seal fold looks black | Door seal fold | Clean and dry the fold | New door seal |
| Brown, waxy or slimy bits | Fabric softener build-up in the drawer | Scrub the drawer and cavity, use less softener | Skip softener for a month |
| Grey grit, and the machine drains slowly | Drain pump filter | Clean the filter | New drain pump |
| Rubbery black pieces | A seal that’s breaking up | Check the seal for splits | New door seal |
How to get rid of black flakes (one afternoon)
- Empty hot cycle. Set the hottest temperature, a full-load setting and a long cycle, or use your Tub Clean or Drum Clean program. Use a washing machine cleaner your manual approves.
- Top loaders: Samsung’s method is to add four cups of white vinegar once the drum has filled with hot water, let it agitate for a few minutes, pause it for an hour, then let it finish. Don’t add bleach in the same cycle.
- Door seal. Pull the bottom fold back all the way round, wipe out the grime, and dry it.
- Detergent drawer. Press the release tab, pull it out, wash it in warm water, and scrub the cavity roof where softener sprays.
- Pump filter. Put a towel and a shallow tray down, open the small flap at the bottom front, and unscrew the filter slowly. Clear lint, coins and hair ties.
- Second hot cycle, empty, to flush out anything you loosened.
- Rewash the affected clothes once the machine runs clean.
Why do the flakes keep coming back?
- Cold washes only. Fine for clothes, but residue builds up. Run a hot or tub-clean cycle once a month.
- Too much detergent or softener. More doesn’t clean better. Use the dose on the pack for your load size.
- The door stays shut. Leave the door and drawer ajar after the last load so the seal dries.
- A seal that holds water. If the fold always has a puddle, or the rubber has split, cleaning won’t keep up.
When it’s a part, not a clean
Most flakes clear with the routine above. A worn part shows itself in other ways: rubbery black pieces, a split in the door seal, water under the door after a wash, or water left in the drum after the filter is clean. Find the model number on the model sticker (usually inside the door rim on a front loader, or under the lid on a top loader) and search it to see the parts listed for your model. Our door seal fit guide and step-by-step replacement guide cover the swap.
Seal split or soaked black?
Search by your model number. In-stock parts are dispatched from Sydney the day you order when it’s in by 12pm Sydney time, with $10.60 flat delivery Australia-wide and free delivery over $149. Shop washing machine door seals →
Frequently asked questions
Why are there black flakes on my clothes after washing?
Built-up detergent, softener and grime breaking loose from the tub wall, door seal, drawer or pump filter. Two hot empty cycles and a clean of those spots usually clears it.
Are black flakes from the washing machine mould?
Often it’s a mix of old detergent, softener and grime, and mould can be part of it. Either way, the fix is the same clean-out.
Will vinegar get rid of black flakes?
Samsung’s top-loader method uses four cups of white vinegar in a hot cycle. Check your own manual first, because some brands advise against regular vinegar on rubber seals. Never mix it with bleach.
How do I stop black flakes coming back?
Use less detergent and softener, run a hot or tub-clean cycle monthly, and leave the door and drawer open after the last load.
Do black flakes mean my washing machine is broken?
Usually not. Rubbery pieces, a split seal or water under the door point to a door seal that needs replacing.
How do I get black flakes off clothes?
Clean the machine first, then rewash the clothes. Shake or brush off loose bits before the rewash.
Sources
- Samsung support. Top loader washer has black particles on clothes. samsung.com
- Jacksch S, Zohra H, Weide M, Schnell S, Egert M (2021). Cultivation-based quantification and identification of bacteria at two hygienic key sides of domestic washing machines. Microorganisms. PMC8146927
More on washing machine smells and mould
- Why your front loader stinks: five culprits, from a 2-minute fix to a new pump
- Washing cold saves up to 80% of the energy: do this once a month
- Bleach and vinegar in the washer? The cleaning hack that makes chlorine gas
- How to remove mould from a washing machine door seal
- Dryer smells musty? Where mould hides in condenser and heat pump dryers
Oz Appliance Spares ships from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Australian-owned since 2009. Last reviewed 30 October 2026.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
