05 July 2023 , 12:58
1133
0
Your washing machine is the one thing that keeps your clothes spick and span, so it needs to be cleaned regularly so it's able to do its job properly.
Sometimes bacteria, mould, mildew, and fungus can be allowed to grow in the washing machine as the dampness is a breeding ground for all the nasties, and this is what can cause it to become smelly.
It can be all too easy to feel overwhelmed at the thought of cleaning your washing machine, because where do you start?
But thankfully, Dryzone's resident mould expert, Oscar Maltby has shared his ten-step method to ensure the mould is banished, reports the Express.
Different parts of the washing machine need to be cleaned (Stock Image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Cleaning your washing machine can be a tough task due to the shape of it - there are many crevices to take into consideration.
Cleaning guru shares why you shouldn't make your bed first thing in the morning
He said: "The challenge of the awkward shape of the washing machine seal, and given we rarely think to stick our head in the drum until we notice a problem - typically a damp, earthy smell coming from somewhere inside the washing machine - means that mould can go undetected for a while.
"It's important to regularly wash your washing machine to ensure it isn't harbouring harmful black mould. And there's nothing like a deep clean to refresh your washing machine and keep it at bay."
To clean your washing machine, you'll need a clean stiff scrubbing brush, a bucket of warm water, a bleach-based cleaner and a mould cleaner such as Mrs Hinch-approved Astonish mould spray which can be purchased for around £5 from Amazon.
If you don't clean your washing machine, it can give off a foul smell (Stock Image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)First, ensure the machine is empty and dry. Put on protective gloves to protect your skin from any harsh chemicals.
Then, spray a small amount of bleach-based mould cleaner onto a microfibre cloth and start by wiping the entire washing machine seal. Mould, fabric fibres and dirt can gather in the seal causing an unpleasant smell.
Turn out the seal for a final inspection and remove any remaining mould and lint with the microfibre cloth.
It's then time to focus on the washing machine drum. Wipe all areas of the drum with the bleach-based mould cleaner, including the back of the machine, paying extra attention to the plastic paddles.
Then, rinse the drum thoroughly with warm water and leave the door open to let it dry for an hour, or more.
The detergent drawer then needs to be cleaned, and to do this you need to remove the drawer and submerge it in warm water to clean off any excess soap. Leave it to dry before using the bleach-based mould cleaner to wipe it down. Make sure you pay attention to the areas where black mould gathers more.
The detergent drawer needs to be cleaned too (Stock Image) (Getty Images/iStockphoto)As the drawer dries, wipe down the inside of the empty compartment with the bleach-based cleaner and rinse it thoroughly with warm water.
Man finds £47,000 stuffed into walls of new home - but can't keep it all
Then, rinse the microfibre cloth in water and leave it to dry.
Repeat the cleaning steps with the mould cleaner. Due to the amount of moisture in a washing machine, cleaning away the mould is not enough to ensure it will not come back.
Once the machine has been deep cleaned, make sure you wipe down the seal after each use to ensure the mould doesn't grow back, and the detergent drawer must be cleaned monthly to remove visible soap residue.
Have you got any cleaning tips to share? Email: [email protected]