The free hacks that stop that musty stench from taking over your washing machine, according to the Queen of Clean

THAT musty washing machine smell is a bugbear for any clean freak - it stinks, ruins clothes and is a breeding ground for bacteria. 

It can develop due to several reasons, from residual moisture from your laundry cycle to clogged drainage in the background. 

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Luckily, there’s some things you can do to stop it from plaguing your home and washing. 

Telly’s Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie, has shared her top three hacks for making sure your washing machine is “mould and odour free”.

The best bit? All of them are free to do. 

Lynsey gained recognition for her cleaning credentials through appearances on ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4's Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners. 

She is loved for her practical and straightforward approach to cleaning, practical easy-to-replicate solutions for domestic cleaning. 

Number One

To get rid of the musty smell in your washing machine, Lynsey’s first hack was to empty your laundry load as soon as it’s finished. 

Sadly, that means not putting it on overnight when it’s the cheapest to run. 

Leaving wet laundry in the washing machine for an extended period can create a damp environment conducive to the growth of mould and mildew. 

Promptly removing your clothes from the drum helps prevent unpleasant odours developing in your smalls and machine. 

What’s more, wet laundry left in the washing machine can attract bacteria, particularly if the machine is not properly ventilated. 

Number Two

Lynsey’s second trick follows on nicely from her first. 

She urged Brits to ventilate their washing machines after use, recommending you “leave the door and drawer open to air dry for a while”.

Allowing air to circulate inside the washing machine helps to dry out any residual moisture left behind after the wash cycle. 

This in turn helps prevent the growth of mould and mildew, which thrive in damp environments.

Furthermore, leaving the washing machine door open can help prevent musty or unpleasant odours from developing. 

Odours typically arise when moisture becomes trapped inside the machine, providing a breeding ground for bacteria and mould.

Number Three

Lynsey finally urged her fans to “pop a microfibre cloth in the rubber seal to soak up any water”. 

The rubber seal around the door of the washing machine can trap moisture, creating an ideal environment for mould and mildew to grow. 

Placing a microfiber cloth in the seal helps absorb excess moisture, reducing the risk of the toxic fuzz building up.

By absorbing the excess moisture, the microfiber cloth also helps keep your washing machine smelling fresh.