If you’ve noticed some off and unwanted smells emanating from your washing machine, it might be time to give it a deep clean. However, if you want to avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning, one TikToker has shared one of her go-to hacks.
According to Sophie, known as What Sophie Does on TikTok, you only need one ingredient to combat bad smells in your washing machine. She hailed baking soda as the only thing you’ll need. It also has the added benefit of cleaning dirt inside the washing machine drum, too.
How to remove washing machine odours
Sophie’s holy grail ingredient for vanquishing any bad smells 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, Sophie instructed to add half a cup of baking soda in the drum. Run your 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.
If you’re looking to give the whole of your appliance a deep clean, then some cleaning fans suggested using white vinegar in conjunction with baking soda for a more effective clean.
This combination works well in the appliance as they can remove hard water deposits as well as dirt and grime. The acetic acid in the vinegar helps dissolve mineral deposits and hard water stains, as well as removing odours. When the two mix together, they react and produce carbon dioxide.
This in turn creates a fizzing action that helps to lift dirt from the washing machine. Vinegar can also help get rid of and prevent the build-up of mould and mildew, too.
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.”
