Does your washing machine make your clothes stink? Your laundry never has to smell weird again with this cheap and easy hack to get rid of horrible bacteria build up and odours
Clothes are only going to come out as clean as the machine washing them – which is why it’s important to use the most effective products possible. If they don’t get a proper clean, washing machine drums can become breeding basins for mould, mildew and other nasty bacteria that can cause skin irritation and even make you sick.
Plus, letting dirt build up in your machine can cause permanent damage. Much like a clogged artery, as detergent residue accumulates it blocks the water flow, eventually leading to other issues like motor function damage or wearing of the seals. Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to using expensive products to make sure your washing machine is spick and span. According to the homeware supply company Amica, the trick to keeping your washer clean is vinegar. Because of how acidic vinegar is, it is great at breaking down material deposits like soap scum without damaging surfaces – which means that is an ideal solution for erasing washing machine debris. Even more importantly, it is strong enough to kill bacteria, allowing it to double as a handy household disinfectant.
‘Clean your washing machine once a month’
Amica recommends on their website: “Once a month, run a hot cycle with a cup of vinegar in the empty drum of your machine. This will give it a thorough clean and help stop soap scum from building up.”
If the seal is particularly damp after the cycle, you should then give it a wipe down with a dry cloth. And while washing on a cooler cycle is the more eco friendly option, they also advise that you occasionally run a warmer wash, just to make sure the germs are being thoroughly eradicated.
Vinegar can be useful for more than just running wash cycles. The company also suggests using a solution of vinegar and water to regularly wipe down the door seal, which is prone to collecting damp and bacteria. Another helpful tip is to remove your detergent drawer so that you can soak it in a vinegar solution and then dry it. This prevents any detergent or soap build up, prolonging your machine’s lifespan.
For those on a budget, you can find a litre of distilled vinegar at Asda for just £1.09, which should last several washes. Other affordable options include Sarson’s Distilled Malt Vinegar for £1.60 at Sainsbury’s, or you can order five litres of Golden Swan White Vinegar for £5.95 on Amazon.