Hotpoint Washer Door Boot

The rubber gasket (also called a door boot) that seals the gap between the door glass and the drum so water stays in the machine.

DifficultyModerate

Typical time45 to 90 minutes

ToolsScrewdrivers, Pliers or a flat screwdriver for the spring clip, Washing-up liquid to ease the seal into place

Safety. Unplug the machine and turn the water off before you start. Water and electricity: keep the floor dry and never work on a live machine.

Signs it has failed

Water leaking from the front of the machine, usually during the wash or spin
Visible tears, splits or perished rubber around the door
Black mould or a lingering damp smell that cleaning does not shift
Small objects such as underwire or coins caught and cutting the rubber

Check before you buy

Run a short wash with a dry towel on the floor and watch where the water appears
Pull the seal back and look at the underside and the lower fold for cuts
Check the door itself is not warped or the hinge dropped, which can also leak

What replacing it fixes: if the signs above match your washer and the checks point to this part, fitting a new one should clear those faults. If the symptoms continue, the cause is elsewhere (a control board, a sensor or a blocked vent or hose).

How to replace it

Unplug the machine and turn the water off
Open the door and release the outer clamp band (a spring wire or a screw band) around the seal
Peel the seal off the front panel, then release the inner clamp where it meets the drum and remove it
Line up the marker on the new seal with the marker on the drum or tub so the drain hole sits at the bottom
Seat the new seal on the drum lip, refit the inner clamp, then press it onto the front panel and refit the outer clamp
Close the door, run a rinse cycle and check for leaks

Guide steps are typical for this type of part. Layouts differ between models, so follow your own manual where it differs.

Getting the right part

Door seals differ by model and by drum size. Match the part number or the model number and check the listing photo for the same fold shape and clamp groove.

Check your model number first. It is on the rating plate — usually inside the door frame, on the back or side panel, or inside the appliance. Parts that look identical often differ by model, so match the number to the listing before you order.