If you’ve noticed a musty smell coming from your clothes when you take them out of the washing machine, it could be because you haven’t cleaned one little-known part of the appliance.
Washing machines are excellent devices that help us keep our clothes clean and smelling fresh. You might think that because they clean clothes, they don’t need to be cleaned themselves, but this isn’t true – and neglecting your washing machine can leave you in a sticky situation.
Even if you wipe around the rubber seal to prevent mould from growing in the common spot, there’s still one part that you’re missing, and that could be causing drainage issues, unpleasant odours, and could even damage the machine.
The important washing machine component was shared in a TikTok video by an account named Clean with Georgia – and the content creator shared a five-step routine for properly cleaning your appliance.
She began with the part most people forget about – the filter.
Georgia said: “Step one is to remove the filter. Make sure you have some sort of contraption to catch all the water [that comes out], because there is a lot. You can use a nappy, but trust me, there is no amount of nappies to catch the amount of water that comes out of my filter.”
The filter is usually found at the bottom of the washing machine and can be unscrewed and pulled out. Georgia warned that it does “smell”, but it needs to be removed and cleaned to help your washing machine function properly.
The woman then used a “sonic scrubber” from Pink Stuff to clean every nook and cranny of her filter. The tool looks like an electric toothbrush, so if you can’t get one, you could use an old toothbrush instead.
After rinsing off the filter, she popped it back inside her washing machine and continued with the other steps of her cleaning routine.
Georgia gave the door of her washing machine a spray with a cleaning solution, then wiped it down with a microfibre cloth. She used the same scrubbing tool to clean the rubber seal, before wiping that down with another microfibre cloth.
Next, she used a sponge and some washing up liquid to clean inside the drum of her washing machine. She noted that while some people use bleach for this step, she doesn’t recommend it because it can break down the rubber seals and cause leaks.
Then it’s time to remove the drawer where laundry detergent goes and give that a good scrub, as that can also accumulate mould.
Once the drawer was back in place, Georgia added some washing machine cleaner to the detergent compartment and then ran the washing machine on a normal cycle to allow the cleaner to work its magic.
How to clean a washing machine
Always check the product manual for best advice on keeping your appliance clean – as it can vary depending which model you have.
However, as a general rule, you can try the following steps…
1. Clean the Gasket (Rubber Seal):
- Mix equal parts water and vinegar.
- Wipe around the rubber gasket with a cloth soaked in the solution.
- Use an old toothbrush to scrub away mold or residue.
- Dry thoroughly with a clean towel.
2. Clean the Detergent Drawer:
- Remove the drawer (if possible) and soak it in hot, soapy water.
- Scrub away any buildup, then rinse and dry.
3. Drum Cleaning:
- Pour 2 cups of white vinegar directly into the drum.
- Run a hot water cycle (no laundry inside).
- After the cycle, sprinkle 1/3 cup baking soda inside the drum and run another hot cycle.
4. Wipe Down Exterior:
- Use a damp cloth to clean the outside of the machine.
Extra tips
- Leave the door open after each use to let the inside dry and prevent mould.
- Repeat cleaning once a month or as needed.
- Check and clean the filter (refer to your manual for location and instructions).
