i have a black residue on the door seal it is in the crease at the moment and i am worried that it will spread and get onto the washing, i have never seen this before, my washing machine is only just a year old!!
Just clean it off, using a wet cloth, take out the drawer that you put the washing powder and fabric conditioner in, give it a good clean and also clean out the space the drawer goes in. Then set your washing machine on its hottest wash, don't add any detergent, and it will give its self a really good clean.
This is very common these days, when we wash in lower temperatures using washing detergents that do not contain bleach.
It is a mould - the damp conditions inside a washing machine are ideal conditions.
Make a strong solution of bleach and very hot water and wipe the mould off with a soft cloth.
Use the cheapest brand washing powder (must be powder) that contains bleach and run the machine on the hottest cycle while it is empty.
You will need to do this once a month or so. All washing machine manufacturers recommend this to kill bacteria and mould inside the machine.
Take the dispenser drawer out and wash thoroughly. Using the bleach solution, wipe inside the drawer cavity, especially the top and as far back as you can. I use a bottle brush for this.
You will see some jets in the roof of the cavity. Use a cocktail stick, or mathstick, to clear any gunk out.
That should keep it free of mould.
I live in a hardwater area so use Oust once every three months as well.