If you find that the door seal on your Indesit washing machine (also known as the gasket) is damaged or leaking, you'll need to replace the seal to resolve the issue and fix your washing machine. Fortunately, this is a repair you can carry out at home for yourself without needing to call the repairman, so read on to learn how to replace an Indesit washing machine door seal step by step.
If you have a different make of washing machine, we also have articles to help you fit the door seal on LG, Hoover, Bosch, Samsung and Zanussi machines too.
How to know if your door seal needs replacing
You will be able to identify when your door seal needs replacing if it is leaking from the front or showing visible signs of damage. To check for damage, inspect your gasket for any rips, tears or other signs of general wear and tear. If you find any, the door seal will need to be replaced.
Another reason your gasket might need replacing is a build-up of mould and bacteria. If your door seal appears to be especially mouldy and dirty, it will need to be replaced. However, if the dirt and grime aren't too excessive, you can always simply try cleaning your door seal first as this may do the trick. For this, you can take a look at our article for some tips on how to clean your washing machine.
What you will need
For this replacement, you will need the following tools and items:
- Phillips screwdriver
- Flathead screwdriver
- Replacement door seal
- Washing up liquid (optional)
Finding your model number
Before starting, you will need to know your appliance's model number to make sure you purchase the correct door seal for your particular model of washer. You can usually find the model number on a sticker or data plate, usually behind the door frame or the removable kickplate panel at the bottom of the appliance. The model number may be a combination of letters and numbers and it could also include other characters such as a dash (-) or a slash (/). For more help finding the washing machine model number or for what to do if it has rubbed off or you can't find it, take a look at our article.
How to replace an Indesit washing machine door seal
Let's get started with the repair! You can either watch our video tutorial below or follow our step-by-step guide beneath to learn how to replace the door seal on an Indesit washing machine.
Safety first
Remember, it's important to always make sure your appliance has been switched off and unplugged from the wall before carrying out any work.
Accessing the door seal
With this particular model of washing machine, the front of the machine can't be removed for ease of access. Because of this, you will need to access and replace the gasket via the door opening itself. To make this easier, you can carefully lay the machine on its back which will cause the door to come away from the front of the machine, giving you more room to work. Alternatively, you can leave the washing machine upright and remove the door to access the seal, which is what we will be doing in this guide.
Step 1: Remove the door
To remove the door, you can simply unscrew the two screws that hold the door hinge to the machine using a Phillips screwdriver. Make sure you have a good hold on the door as you do this, or else the door could drop away and get damaged.
Step 2: Remove the outer retaining band
Next, remove the outer retaining band that wraps around the outside of the door seal. Work a flathead screwdriver beneath the band to pry it free, then pull the band from around the seal.
Step 3: Remove the inner retaining band and door seal
To remove the inner retaining band, you'll first need to be able to access it. Remove the outside of the door seal from the door frame's lip, then fold the seal inside towards the drum.
You can then reach inside and pull the door seal and the inner retaining band out of the washing machine together.
Step 4: Fit the new door seal
Before fitting the new seal, it's a good idea to rub some washing-up liquid around the seal's inner lip which connects to the drum. This will help to lubricate it and make it easier to fit.
It's also important to make sure you fit the new seal in the correct position. The small triangle protruding from the seal should go at the top, whereas the drain hole should go at the bottom.
To fit the new gasket, pop it inside the door frame and push the inner lip into place all the way around the drum.
Step 5: Refit the inner retaining band
With the new door seal in place, fold it inside the drum as you did with the old one earlier in this guide.
You can now refit the inner retaining band. This can be quite a struggle, so you might need an extra pair of hands to help you work it around the drum lip. Alternatively, if you have nobody at hand to help you, you can remove the door lock by unscrewing the two screws that hold it in place.
You can then place a screwdriver inside the door lock hole, facing downwards, to hold the spring in position as you work it around the drum lip. If you do this, start fitting the band opposite the screwdriver and work your way around towards the screwdriver.
Once the inner retaining band is in place, reattach the door lock by screwing it back into place with the two screws you removed earlier. Make sure the front of the door lock overlaps the hole as you do this.
Step 6: Fit the outer rim of the door seal
To fit the outside of the door seal, work the outer rim of the seal around the outer rim of the door frame. Again, rubbing a little bit of washing-up liquid inside the door seal's outer rim will help make this easier to fit.
Step 7: Refit the outer retaining band
Now that the door seal is in position, you can refit the outer retaining band by working it back around the outside of the door seal.
Step 8: Reattach the door
Finally, to finish the process, reattach the door by screwing the hinge back onto the machine with the two screws you removed earlier.
And there you have it! All there is to replacing a faulty Indesit washing machine door seal. Your appliance should now be back in action!
However, it's important to know that replacing faulty parts isn't the only way to get the best performance out of your washing machine. You should also make sure you're using your appliance as efficiently as possible, as this will get you the best results out of your appliance whilst helping you save money and energy. Check out our guide on energy-saving tips for your washing machine to learn more.
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