Neptune Washer - mold issue

I wasn't aware of this precise issue until yesterday, but this explains the black or grease splatter looking spots I have on my clothes. Apparently I have the same issue with my Neptune Washer (came with the house) and just talked to a repair guy who worked on those washers. There have been class action suits because of the propensity of the machines to do this.
His suggestion was to use white vinegar and very hot water to and to run this through a wash cycle with old towels or clean rags. This makes sense because it would acidify the environment and reduce the mold.
I also used surface wipes to clean the rubber ring but remember that the water is also at the bottom of the machine, not just around the ring. The repair guy said he would NEVER own a front loader for that specific reason.

My other suggestion is to wash darks first when you wash for the first time after a period of inactivity (or do a pre-wash) so that any mold that built up while you werent there is washed away or doesnt stain your whites or lightly colored fabrics.

YUK