EVER wonder why your freshly washed laundry is coming out of the machine with a bit of a stench?
Well, it could be that the seal on your washing machine door needs a good clean as mould and bacteria can build up there.
In fact, it’s the perfect environment for black mould to grow, so it’s vital that homeowners check it regularly to keep clothes clean and your washing machine in full working order.
According to the Queen of Clean, Lynsey Crombie, the hot summer months mean mould is more likely to grow in your washing machine, because the warm weather provides the perfect conditions for it to thrive.
But don’t worry, there’s a simple hack to keep grim mould at bay so you never have to worry about your clothes smelling too.
Posting on Instagram, Lynsey said: “Don’t forget this time of year, your machine will smell more than ever with the higher temperatures.”
“Sprinkle into the rubber seal some bicarbonate of soda, spritz with water, scrub with a small brush, leave for 10 minutes, and then run a rinse cycle,” she continued.
Baking soda is known to be a super effective and cost effective cleaning method, and it’s great for removing mould because of it’s antibacterial properties.
Simply put, baking soda will be able to help break down the grime where mould grows.
“The bicarb will soak up the odours and clean up the seal with ease. No more smelly washing machine,” the cleaning pro explained.
Just use an old toothbrush to scrub the baking powder in and around the rubber seal, followed by a damp cloth to wipe it off.
White vinegar can also be spritzed on to double up on mould protection, but just make sure you’re don’t let it linger there too long as moisture build-up can lead to more mould.
This can be done once per month, but you should also give the seal a quick wipe with a dry cloth after ever use to remove excess moisture.
Another simple trick is to leave the door to your washing machine ajar after each wash to allow it to dry fully.
The best part is that if you don’t already have baking soda in your cupboards at home you can pick some up in most supermarkets for as little as 65p, making this trick a huge money saver.
Fellow cleaning fans rushed to the comment section of Lynsey’s post to rave about the cheap and cheerful method.
“This is so good! I was wondering why my machine was smelly,” one said.
A second agreed: “Thank you! This is such a good tip mine definitely needs doing.”
And a third chimed in: “Never tried this but will definitely give it a go!”
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
