My washing machine smelt revolting but I tried a 75p cleaning hack that got rid of the bad smell instantly – it’s genius
WHILST washing machines clean clothes, to do so effectively, they need to be cleaned from time to time.
If you’ve noticed the inside of your drum smelling like sewage or rotten eggs, it’s time for a deep clean.
Ann Hutchinson took to the Facebook group Mrs Hinch Cleaning Tips to ask fellow cleaning enthusiasts how to clean her machine.
She posted: “Help! I thought my washing machine was smelly, so put soda crystals in on a hot wash, now it really smells revolting.
“What have I done, what can I do?”
The post gained lots of attention, and there were several answers and solutions.
READ MORE CLEANING TIPS
Many explained how the smells wasn’t because she used soda crystals.
Andrea Hartley commented: “Not soda crystals which have caused this. I’ve used them for years and never had this problem.”
And Leigh Kerrigan agreed: “Soda crystals wouldn’t do that.”
Alice Louisa suggested: “Soda crystals may have stirred it up won’t won’t have caused it.
“90 degree long wash with white vinegar in drum works well.”
And there were many people who recommended using white vinegar to get rid of the smell.
Vivienne Lerner said: “I put a cupful of vinegar in the drum every few weeks run a very hot wash.”
Deborah Lloyd-Thomas added: “White vinegar spray - spray into the drum and draw leave a while and put onto rinse.”
Once this step has been completed, many of the cleaning enthusiasts suggested Ann switch the laundry products she was using to clean her clothes.
Fenella Gavin explained: “Only use washing powder.
"I had an engineer round who’d been fixing machines for 40 years and he said it was a really common problem from using liquid and pods.
“He said only use powder and after a few weeks all smell will go. It worked for mine.”
Norma Gibson also added: “It's caused by a build up of gunge around the drum, it can be caused by using gel pods or liquid detergent they leave a film on the drum which collects bacteria from your washing.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Julie Davies also experienced the same problem and switched products: “Exactly this!
“It happened to mine, I stopped using pods after I had cleaned it and went back to powder, never had an issue since.”
6-step guide to cleaning your washing machine
Do this every three months and your machine will be kept in tip-top condition and won't smell.
- Make sure washing machine is empty, then add equal parts bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar into the detergent drawer - you could even add some into the drum.
- Now, run a cycle at the hottest setting you can, and wait for the magic to happen. This homemade washing machine cleaner will evict all the rigid gunk and give you your trusty old washing machine back.
- Take out the detergent drawer and clean it thoroughly - white vinegar or hot soapy water does the trick. Let it dry and put it back.
- Wipe around the door and the seal to remove any gunk or mould build up. white vinegar or hot soapy water does the trick, and wipe it dry.
- Clean your filter - it can be found somewhere in the base usually, and most of the time you can pop it out without any special tools. Once done, wash it under running water and give it a good scrub. It’s ideal to clean washing machine filters frequently and because it’s so easy and barely takes a few minutes.
- After every load, keep your washing machine door open - or at least, ajar. The ventilation will allow all trapped moisture to escape and leave your washing machine smelling fresh again.