Cleaning washing machines can be a real pain, especially as many rely on them to ensure their laundry is super fresh. If you notice your appliance starting to smell, it may be time for a deep cleaning.
Appliance brand Beko recommended deep cleaning your washing machine every one to three months. How often you clean depends on how frequently you use your washing machine. TikToker Lily, who goes by Clean with Lily, shared her product of choice, which is a highly touted natural ingredient you probably already have in your home.
The holy grail ingredient for getting rid of any and all bad smells, grime, or dirt is baking soda. The ingredient can be used in a multitude of ways, but it’s thanks to its alkaline nature that unwanted odours will be history.
To freshen up your washing machine, Lily explained that she sprinkles the baking soda directly into the washing machine’s drum when she’s deep cleaning. Add around half a cup of baking soda in the drum and then run the machine on a short cycle.
Baking soda helps to banish any unwanted odours by neutralising those which are acidic. As baking soda is an alkaline, when it comes into contact with acidic odours, it reacts to neutralise them.
The chemical reaction between the baking soda and the acid neutralises or produces a less odorous compound. Ultimately changing the pH level helps eliminate the bad smell.
Kathy Cohoon, the director of franchise operations of Two Maids, told Martha Stewart that it can take up to 24 hours for an odour to be fully eliminated, especially if it’s stubborn.
Not only can baking soda help deodorise the washing machine drum, it also acts as a cleaning agent for any dirt or grime that’s built up. As baking soda is a mild alkali as well as an abrasive, it can help break down and dissolve dirt inside the washing machine drum.
Baking soda can also be used to help get rid of hidden dirt you may not be able to see at first glance. Experts from Hometalk also recommend adding an extra step by treating the rubber seal of the washing machine with baking soda and vinegar.
They noted: “Address the rubber seal by pouring bicarbonate of soda and adding vinegar, creating a powerful fizzing reaction that tackles hidden dirt.”