While many turn to white vinegar or baking soda to clean the washing machine, sometimes these natural cleaning solutions are just not enough. A recent TikTok video shared by Melissa Pateras – otherwise known as “laundrytok” – showcases a surprising alternative that promises to tackle the issue head-on.
In the tutorial, viewers witness the mouldy front-washing machine Melissa is going to tackle. To help clean a “mouldy and stinky” washing machine, Melissa relies on one product – Sugelary Mould and Mildew Stain Cleaner. Unlike white vinegar or baking soda, this cleaner is specifically formulated to break down and remove mould and mildew stains.
“If you don’t leave the door open every time it’s not in use and dry it out,” Michelle began, opening the washing machine door, revealing a mouldy gasket, “it could look like this.”
Michelle adds: “The laundry washed in this machine will smell just as bad as it looks.”
Asked to clean the machine, Michelle demonstrates how she first wipes down the rubber gasket, then adds Sugary Mould and Mildew Stain Remover to the mouldy patches.
“It works,” Michelle promises, adding that she’s “tried just about everything out there.”
Applying the gel-like cleaning solution, Michelle then lets it sit to work its magic for a couple of hours.
“I made sure to get into all of the cracks,” says Michelle, who later “gave it a scrub” with a brush.
Because the washing machine she was cleaning had been left in such bad condition, she decided to leave the cleaning gel on for even longer.
After cleaning the rubber gasket and the washing machine door, Michelle then ran a hot and long cycle.
For those at home, she recommends running the hottest and longest cycle after cleaning with the Sugary Mould and Mildew Stain Remover.
“You should be cleaning your [washing machine] about once per month,” the cleaning enthusiast adds.
Once finished, the result is a visibly cleaner machine without the need for white vinegar or baking soda.
Alternative washing machine cleaners can be found in stores at large supermarkets and online.